LET'S GO: ALL ABOARD DESTINATION PROVENCE!

Valensole

Valensole is a municipality with one of the highest lavender field counts in France. As a valley, it owes its name to its extremely sunny conditions: its topographical conformation means that during the summer the sun beats directly onto it for many hours day, justifying its "sunny valley” name. The picturesque town of Valensole, dotted with small shops and distilleries, is a perfect place to shop for souvenirs! Artisans will invite you to try the essential oils obtained from the plants, and you can buy the famous perfumed linen pouches, or lavender soap. The best time to fully enjoy this spectacle of colour and fragrance is from mid-June to late August, but don't despair if you find yourself here in a different season: a visit to the lavender fields is just one of many activities that this area offers. All aboard, we leave for a new stage!

Grasse

This beautiful French town is famed for being the city of perfume. It is has a long tradition of refined aroma creation, which had its origins in the Renaissance period, when perfumed gloves and essences were produced for the European aristocracy. Don’t miss a visit to Fragonard, the historic perfume factory, today transformed into a museum. Expert local guides will help you to distinguish between the thousand essences and recognise the different fragrances. They will also guide you to visit the rooms where new machines are constantly in action to create perfumes and soaps. In this factory-museum, the steps of this complex processing – from the extraction of essential oils to the finalisation and sale of the product in the museum shop – are simplified and fascinating for children too!

Gorge du Verdon

Sporting campervan fans, our next proposal is for you! Colours, scents and flavours are priceless things to enjoy during a trip to Provence, but we have a special suggestion to immerse you in nature’s more majestic side. Back to your Ducato Campervan: we promise you won’t be disappointed! Off we go again! Destination: the Verdon Gorge!

This breathtaking scenery was sculpted over centuries by the Verdon river during its 175 km course from the southern Alps to the middle Durance Valley in Provence. The series of gorges can be navigated by canoe or kayak, and holds numerous base camps where you can rent equipment and organise trips by canoe or pedal boat. If you don’t wish to be separated from the comfort of your Fiat Ducato-based motorhome, however – and who could blame you? – there are also spectacular scenic routes you can take in your travelling hotel: take advantage of the path proposed by the specialised portal "itineraricamper.it". The itinerary can be covered in 4 days, covering a total of 900 km.

Aix-en-Provence

To conclude your journey in Provence, we suggest a last unmissable stop in Aix-en-Provence, one of the richest cultural centres in the whole region. This refined city is nicknamed "Little Paris" and it’s not difficult to imagine why! The Mazarine district boasts a fascinating array of eighteenth- century architecture and attractive hotels. Here you can visit the famous Granet Museum, where important exhibitions dedicated to impressionist painters are continually mounted. To delight your palate, we have a surprise for you! La Cure Gourmande is a veritable atelier of sweetness: biscuits, typical French confectionery creations and delicacies of all kinds will sweeten your afternoons exploring the city. You’ll be intrigued by the unusual shop sign... and once inside, you’ll be charmed and spellbound by its 19th century magic. Bon voyage, camping fans!