Top Reasons to Go

See Vincent van Gogh's Arles: Ever since the fiery Dutchman immortalized Arles in all its chromatic drama, this town has had a starring role in museums around the world.

Experience unplugged Provence: The marshy landscapes of the Camargue will swamp you with their strange beauty, white horses, pink flamingoes, and black bulls.

Get hip-deep in lavender: Tour the Lavender Route from the Abbaye de Sénanque (near Gordes) to a wide, blue-purple swath that ranges across the Drôme and the Vaucluse.

Go fishing for Marseille's best bouillabaisse: The version at Chez Fonfon will make your taste buds stand up and sing "La Marseillaise."

Tour Cézanne Country: Views of Mont Ste-Victoire, rising near the artist's hometown of Aix-en-Provence, may inspire you to pick up a brush.