Provence with Kids (A Dream Come True for Families!)

I fell in love with Provence long before I ever set foot on French soil. The lure of Provence from photos and literature led me to dream of visiting this region of France for years. When I finally traveled to Provence, I had my two children in tow. I was a bit worried that my expectations were too high and that Provence with children would be less than ideal. I needn’t have fretted, though. Not only was Provence even more beautiful than I had anticipated but also it proved to be a wonderful vacation destination for families. Here is what to do in Provence with kids!

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1. Explore plentiful Provençal villages.

Provence’s picture-perfect villages are great fun for families to explore. Each offers its own unique shops, cafés, and patisseries. We alternated days spent close to our temporary home in the village of Gordes with longer day trips to other areas.

We enjoyed the nearby villages of Joucas, Roussillon, Fontaine-de-Vaucluse, Oppède-le-Vieux, Ménerbes, and Lacoste. Every village was a little different from the others and all were just as pretty as you’d expect.

Meanwhile, larger towns in Provence offered more sightseeing options. Many featured old-fashioned carousels, which delighted my younger daughter. The beautiful Abbaye de Sénanque and its famed fields of lavender were also nearby.

My daughters were content to spend part of each day exploring the region before returning to our villa for an afternoon swim. Then our family enjoyed leisurely dinners at charming nearby restaurants. It was one of the most laid-back, pleasant holidays we have ever taken as a family.

2. Shop family-friendly markets.

Kids of any age will enjoy visiting the weekly markets that are held in the villages of Provence. My daughters loved shopping for food, especially bread and fruit.

After our trip, we laughed at how many vacation photos included my older daughter with a baguette in hand. She just could not get enough of the delicious freshly-baked bread sold at the markets! Perhaps even more fun was browsing the various stalls for little things like hair bands and other trinkets.

3. Appreciate Van Gogh and other impressionist artists.

During a trip to Provence with kids, art enthusiasts will appreciate the opportunity to learn about the many impressionist artists who have made their homes here over the years, like Paul Cézanne, Pablo Picasso, and Vincent Van Gogh.

Look for a large Cézanne exhibit at Musée Granet in Aix-en-Provence, where the French artist was born and lived his life. Also in Aix-en-Provence, Hôtel de Caumont features a large permanent exhibit of Cézanne’s work.

In Arles, art fans should plan to dine at the famed Café Van Gogh, which starred in the artist’s famous painting, Café Terrace at Night. My family also stumbled upon easels around Arles that held posters of the masterpieces that Van Gogh created, on the very spots where he painted them. At the time of our trip, Van Gogh was my younger daughter’s favorite artist, so she thoroughly enjoyed trekking around this French village in search of the easels.

4. Learn Roman history in Provence with kids.

Before planning our trip, I did not know there was such a Roman influence in Provence. My family visited the Roman Theatre in Orange, and a Roman Arena and Theatre in Arles. We also explored the Pont du Gard, a Roman aqueduct that was built around 19 B.C. to supply water to the city of Nîmes and the surrounding area.

In the walled historic area of the city of Avignon, we toured the Palais des Papes (Palace of the Popes). This 14th-century Gothic palace functioned as the primary papal residence and headquarters of Catholicism during the 1300s. It was fascinating to learn about this unique era in the history of the Catholic Church. Plus, my kids enjoyed exploring these sites so much, they didn’t even realize they were learning history!

To get the most out of this experience, book a tour of Roman sites in Provence.

5. Practice speaking French without fear.

A vacation in Provence with kids provides the perfect opportunity for your family to practice speaking another language. In Provence, fewer people speak English than in larger cities like Paris, so learning at least a few phrases in French is very useful. Plus, Provence is one of the friendliest places in France in which to practice your French!

Attempting to speak with locals in shops, restaurants, and markets helped my children realize that learning another language is an important life skill, not just a school subject. By the end of our two weeks, my teen was comfortable ordering from menus and was able to follow simple conversations. Meanwhile, my grade-schooler was quite pleased with her ability to use even a few words.

Want to learn un petit peu de français before you trip? Take a look at how Rosetta Stone will help your family learn a new language!

6. Live the good life at a villa in Provence.

Immerse yourself in French culture and live like a local by renting a villa for your visit to Provence with kids. Idyllic villas are available for rental throughout the region.

Having a home away from home means much more space to spread out. Plus, it is often more cost-effective than staying in a hotel. Families will appreciate having separate bedrooms for privacy, a kitchen for meal preparation, and especially a private pool for cooling off after a day of exploring in the heat of a Provençal summer.

The most difficult part for me was sorting through all the choices and deciding which village and which house we wanted to call home for our two-week stay. Take a look at the many gorgeous vacation home rentals in Provence via VRBO!

Your vacation in Provence will pass very quickly and, if your family is anything like ours, then you will wish you could do as Peter Mayle did and spend  A Year in Provence instead of just a week or two!

Ready to go? Book a tour of Provence now!

Explore more of France.

Want to explore France but you’re not sure where to begin? Most likely, you’ll arrive in Paris and it would be a shame to visit France without exploring the City of Lights. Read our Paris with kids tips to prepare for your French vacation.

After a few days of exploring museums and cathedrals, treat your kids to Disneyland Paris. Here’s what you need to know about visiting Disneyland Paris with kids.

There is much to explore in France besides Paris and Provence, of course. Take a look at the best destinations in France for families!

For a vacation in the French countryside, consider staying at the idyllic Le Chèvrefeuille Bed & Breakfast in Dordogne.

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