Provence Four Days and Three Nights Romantic Countryside Tour
🌿 Provence Four Days and Three Nights Romantic Countryside Tour (Budget 3000 RMB)
Trip Highlights:
Lavender Fields Dream Chase: Encounter the iconic purple romance of Provence (mid-June to mid-July)
Hill Town Art Walk: Explore the hilltop towns of Gordes, Roussillon, and others, tracing Van Gogh’s footsteps
Southern France Market Treasure Hunt: Visit the market at Avignon Papal Palace Square, experience authentic local life
Affordable French Style: Stay in countryside guesthouses and taste rosé wine on a limited budget
📅 Itinerary (based in Avignon)
Day 1: Avignon | Papal Palace and Pont Saint-Bénézet (Broken Bridge)
Morning: Arrive in Avignon, check into old town guesthouse/hostel (€45-65/night)
Afternoon: Visit Papal Palace Square (free exterior viewing), stroll along the Rhône River, view Pont Saint-Bénézet from afar
Evening: Explore shops around Leonardo da Vinci Square, try lavender ice cream (€3)
Night: Find an affordable restaurant in the old town, try Provençal stew (€15-20)
Transport: Walking + city bus (one-way €1.6)
Meals: Simple lunch €10, dinner €18
Day 2: Luberon Hill Towns | Gordes + Roussillon
Morning: Bus/carpool to Gordes (Stone Village) (bus €2, 1-hour ride), overlook Luberon Valley
Afternoon: Head to Roussillon (Ochre Village) (bus €2), hike the ochre trail (entrance €2.5)
Evening: Return to Avignon, free time
Transport: Luberon area bus day pass about €10
Meals: Hill town lunch €12, dinner self-cooked or simple meal €15
Day 3: Lavender Route | Valensole / Sault
Morning: Summer only! Carpool/bus to Valensole Plateau (mid-June to mid-July) or Sault (July to early August), photograph lavender fields (free)
Afternoon: Visit lavender farm, learn about distillation process (free or €5)
Evening: Return to Avignon, optional Rhône River cruise (€12)
Transport: Carpool/bus day about €25-35
Meals: Picnic lunch €8, dinner €18
Day 4: Arles | Van Gogh’s Golden Sunflowers
Morning: Train to Arles (€8, 20 minutes), visit Van Gogh Café (free exterior)
Afternoon: Walk around Arles Amphitheatre (free exterior), explore ancient Roman ruins
Evening: Return to Avignon, end of trip
Transport: Round-trip train €16
Meals: Simple lunch €10, dinner flexible depending on return time
💰 Budget Details (per person, in Euros)
| Item | Economy (€) | Comfort (€) |
|--------------------|-------------|-------------|
| Accommodation (3 nights hostel/guesthouse) | 135 | 180 |
| Transport (regional bus + train) | 70 | 90 |
| Meals (4 days) | 100 | 140 |
| Tickets/Activities | 15 | 30 |
| Emergency/Souvenirs | 20 | 30 |
| Total | 340 | 470 |
Exchange Rate Conversion:
Economy €340 ≈ 2650 RMB (at €1 ≈ 7.8 RMB)
Comfort €470 ≈ 3670 RMB
💡 Key Tips to Keep Budget Under 3000 RMB
Accommodation: Choose guesthouses on Avignon outskirts or shared dorm hostels, as low as €35/night, 3 nights €105.
Transport Optimization: Skip Gordes + Roussillon, focus on Avignon + Arles + lavender fields core experience, keep transport under €50.
Meal Strategy: Breakfast from supermarket (€3), picnic lunch (€5), only dinner at restaurants (€15), total 4-day meals €92.
Ticket Selection: Mainly use free attractions (Papal Palace exterior, lavender fields, Van Gogh landmarks), choose only 1-2 paid sites.
Adjusted Budget:
Accommodation: €105
Transport: €50
Meals: €92
Tickets: €10
Others: €20
Total: €277 ≈ 2160 RMB (well below 3000 RMB budget)
📌 Practical Tips
Lavender Season: Best at Valensole mid-June to mid-July, Sault July to early August; other times can substitute sunflower fields (July-August).
Check Transport in Advance: Provence rural buses are infrequent, check schedules early at lepliote.com or oui.sncf.
Market Times: Avignon Papal Palace Square market every Sunday morning, Arles Saturday morning, don’t miss them.
Money-saving Tip: Buy Avignon City Pass (€26/24 hours) including Papal Palace ticket + bus, great if visiting multiple paid sites.
Alternatives: If no lavender, visit Saint-Rémy (Van Gogh’s asylum) or Fontaine-de-Vaucluse spring town.
🌟 Highlights Explained
Avignon: World Heritage old town, Papal Palace and Broken Bridge tell history, lively street performances at night.
Arles: Walk in Van Gogh’s footsteps, ancient Roman amphitheater still majestic, sunshine and art blend here.
Lavender Fields: The soul of Provence, a summer-only purple ocean, a must-see romantic scene in life.
Hill Town Scenery: Gordes stands like an eagle’s nest, Roussillon and Gordes scenic area’s ochre tones warm every corner like a postcard.
This itinerary centers on Avignon, connecting Provence’s most iconic sights and culture economically. With careful planning, the 3000 RMB budget is achievable, leaving room to enjoy rosé wine and buy lavender essential oils as souvenirs.
Take this guide and meet your purple summer in Provence! 💜🌻