Provence Wine Travel Guide | Wine Holidays

As seen in:

Best wine tours in Provence

A photo of Pointu unsual ride on the way to Saint-Tropez

For 2 to 6 people, enjoy a ponitu boat ride at sunset with wine tasting on board. Pointu is the most iconic and traditional boat from Provence that fishermen used. Discover a hidden side o... See More

This 3-night Provence wine package includes all the essentials needed for a relaxing escape: luxurious accommodation in beautiful surroundings, delicious food and good wine! Your home fr... See More

Why Visit Provence?

Provence is one of France’s oldest wine producing regions, making it a fascinating destination for a wine tasting holiday. This picturesque south-east corner of France is renowned for its perfectly pink, rosé wines and its (almost) year-round sunshine. If wine and sunshine are not enough to entice you to visit Provence, the region is rich in cultural and natural wonders, boasts glamorous cities and beautiful beaches, has a buzzing arts scene, and is strewn with vibrant fields of fragrant lavender.

WINE TASTING TOURS IN PROVENCE
Warm summers and mild winters, plenty of sunshine and minimal rainfall have attracted winemakers (and wine-loving visitors) to Provence for centuries. Although it is possible to find both good quality red and white wines in Provence, the region has become synonymous with the production of rosé wine. In fact, over 70% of the wines produced in Provence are fruity pinks which make it the largest producer of rosé wines in France. Learn more about the region’s perfectly pale, pink wine on a guided wine tasting tour.

FOOD TASTING EXPERIENCES IN PROVENCE
Provence is blessed with an abundance of delicious local produce, making it an excellent destination for a food tasting tour. From an array of fresh seafood to the juiciest olives; creamy goats cheese to earthy truffles. The best time of year to join a truffle hunting tour in Provence is December to March. Don’t leave without sampling Bouillabaisse – the signature fish stew of Marseille.

MORE REASONS TO VISIT PROVENCE
There is more to Provence than rosé wine and delicious local produce. History buffs can admire the charming medieval hillside villages such as Bonnieux and Gordes and the impressive historical architecture like the gothic Palais des Papes in Avignon. Art enthusiasts can follow in the footsteps of Cezanne, Matisse, and Picasso who, inspired by the light and the landscape, made their homes in Provence. Winerist’s array of private and small group tours will help you explore this fascinating region.

WINERIST INSIDER TIP
Don’t leave Provence without sampling a glass of Pastis. This anise-flavoured liqueur was invented in Marseille in 1932 by Paul Ricard and remains a hugely popular aperitif.

Plan Your Visit

Best Known Grapes

The Mediterranean climate of Provence is ideal for grape growing and you’ll find both red and white grape vines in the region’s vineyards, although the red varieties are more dominant. There is no definitive grape used in Provence’s famous rosé, so grape variety is not the main concern here. Provence rosé is more a question of style, with winemakers aiming to achieve that sought-after pink-hued perfection with refreshing high acidity and juicy red berry flavours through blends of various grape combinations. Expect to see Grenache, Syrah, Cabernet Sauvignon, Cinsault and the increasingly fashionable Mourvèdre. Rolle (otherwise known as Vermentino) is the region’s most popular white grape variety.

Best time to visit

There is no bad time of year to visit Provence! The area experiences more than 300 days of glorious Mediterranean sunshine a year. Although be aware that rain and strong winds can occur in the winter depending on your vicinity to the Alps. To experience Provence’s magnificent lavender fields in full colour, visit between June and August. Whilst September is the time to join in with the grape and olive harvest celebrations, and the best time for truffle hunting in Provence is December to March. When planning your visit to Provence, you may also wish to consider the plethora of wine and food, music and cultural festivals which occur across the region each year.

How long to stay

A short break of 3 or 4 days in one of Provence's many vibrant towns such as Marseille, Aix-en-Provence or Nice, will give you an enticing introduction to this delightful region and its delicious produce. However, for a real taste of Provencal life we recommend hiring a car and taking a leisurely road trip through this expansive region, taking time to sample the local produce, meet the winemakers and soak up the Mediterranean views. It’s extremely easy to fill a week or two exploring everything that Provence has to offer.

How to get there

Provence is exceptionally accessible. There are several airports spread across the region: from Avignon in the west, to Nice in the east, with the additional options of Marseille and the smaller airports of Toulon-Hyeres and Nimes. Alternatively, you can arrive via train. Frequent trains connect Paris with the Provence region: it’s 3.5-hour journey to either Marseille or Avignon. From Lille it’s a slightly longer 6-hour train journey to Marseille or Aix-en-Provence. During your stay in Provence the easiest way to get around is by car, and there are numerous car hire companies in the region. Exploring by car also offers the opportunity to travel at your own pace and discover those hillside villages and vineyards that can only be found when journeying by car.

Provence wine tasting tours and winery visits