Top 5 Provence Outdoor Activities: An Expert Review
Provence, that shimmering spot in southeastern France, that almost paints a picture in your mind with rolling hills, postcard-worthy lavender fields, and that gorgeous Mediterranean coastline. It’s definitely a place that just calls to you to be outside, right? So, too, it’s almost that it shouldn’t come as a surprise that the region is packed with amazing outdoor things to do. Getting out and actually experiencing what Provence has to offer, is really what makes a trip unforgettable. From gentle hikes where you can enjoy a lot of aromatic herbs to actually kayaking on clear blue waters, there’s plenty for everyone. This article takes, like your own personal peek, at what are some of the top ways to spend time outdoors in Provence. You could discover more Provence travel tips here.
Exploring the Lavender Fields
When you mention Provence, often times that image of endless fields of purple lavender definitely pops to mind. Actually, that’s a pretty good reason because the lavender fields are iconic! Peak bloom time is, like your typical mid-June to August, making it a summertime highlight. But that scent! Very powerful. Picture yourself strolling, very casually I might add, through rows of that vibrantly colored lavender, while that smell is, oh, so, sweet, that fills your lungs. So too it’s almost very memorable, you know?
The Valensole Plateau, which is actually considered by many to be the hotspot for these lavender fields, offers tons of different spots where you can take those incredible photos. Very, very worthwhile to see, right? Many farms there do allow visitors, sometimes just offering those up close views and smells, but too, they sometimes even offer workshops where you can discover more about the distillation process and that whole history of lavender production there. Is that not awesome or what? Think of taking tours at sunset, so then you get the most gorgeous lighting making those lavender hues all that much richer! Could be one of those unforgettable moments, you know? To explore guided tours of the lavender fields, be sure to check out local listings.
Hiking in the Calanques National Park
Just, like, picture a park with amazing craggy cliffs that drop right into that crazy-blue Mediterranean Sea. Very spectacular to behold! The Calanques National Park actually is such a location, that has great, gorgeous scenery plus it allows for great hikes! The trails wind actually across that limestone massif, but, too, they provide unparalleled coastal views. Some, might be easier than others, while some climbs might, often times, seem intense; so it really caters to everyone’s skill levels!
Consider the hike, basically as your first time out, to actually Calanque d’En-Vau – because it has one of the park’s most awesome beaches. Getting to that beach requires some moderate hiking, still it’s usually so worth that effort for getting those amazing turquoise waters where one might be able to relax or even go for a little swim! Just think! The best seasons usually for hikes here actually happen in the spring and fall. That way one might be able to stay clear from that intense summer heat, right? That allows one to enjoy that experience way more comfortably. Check it out: discover stunning hiking trails in Provence.
Kayaking the Gorges du Verdon
Called usually by a few as Europe’s Grand Canyon, but this Gorges du Verdon is such a dramatically breathtaking river canyon! Kayaking this river provides for one to get up close and witness its steep cliffs and just that vivid, emerald-green waters. Isn’t that something, honestly?
Kayaks are often able to be rented, often times you know from a couple of locations along that river’s edge; and one might be able to go all the way right from the start of that canyon on Lac de Sainte-Croix. When one, might be paddling through that canyon, so too it’s almost magical when getting these panoramic views, exploring, as such, secluded beaches and then getting this peek at that area’s nature that’s quite untamed. Kayaking usually allows one that sort of peacefulness too as well which is awesome. Is that a way that really captures what Provence could be or what? Check here to see what some kayak rentals in Gorges du Verdon cost.
Cycling Through the Luberon Villages
That Luberon region is known for its postcard-like villages and that gorgeous country, very charming you know? Basically, it is very great area to be on bikes! Now it’s very possible that these roads may be challenging to the untrained eye, too they’re often that amazing type of routes to actually bike through that just has beautiful scenery, often winding roads and gives you those opportunities of stopping whenever and actually just seeing all the cute hilltop towns and cafes you see. So, too it’s almost heaven.
Start off by heading to those most picturesque of villages, such as Gordes, Roussillon, as well as Bonnieux. Each provides just its own charm, those architectural treasures, but the regional markets are awesome and full of lots of local goodies. Biking during spring and fall, may usually mean a person would get the better weather too; there wouldn’t often times be that mass amounts of tourist crowds at such popular stops, right? So much for getting a place for just anyone? This area allows you to truly slow that tempo and take stuff in! Find bike tours of Luberon Villages here.
Rock Climbing at Les Alpilles
This might usually not come to mind with Provence; that of great climbing, yet, Les Alpilles offers something incredible for folks of most skills from beginner to just that outright advanced climbers! The rocks could just sometimes be of medium difficulty, other times these rock ridges are great when attempting a variety of things! The views though that overlook those Provencal countryside below could sometimes be rewarding!
A whole host of climbing sites may be had near Les Baux-de-Provence because those actually come along equipped having varying difficulty ratings. Guided excursions will not just assist with security, though usually give info when selecting which type of challenge or just seeing all there might be that region could provide with rocks, and climbing. So too it’s just almost more fun with others than climbing by ones self sometimes right? Find, just around here, to getting that right amount of gear to get this done so it doesn’t ruin the climbing: rock climbing experiences in Les Alpilles.
