Day 1: Saturday
Bienvenue! Welcome to your French home! Unpack, unwind, and get settled. Explore your local village to find the tourist office, grocery shops, restaurants, and the nearest cafe.

Day 2: Sunday
Visit Isle-sur-la-Sorge. Sunday is antique market day. The shops put out their best wares and the atmosphere is fun and lively. Remember, most stores close at 1 pm on Sundays, so be prepared to do your shopping in the morning. Be sure to stop at La Fontaine du Vaucluse, a charming village just down the road.

Day 3: Monday
Avignon is ancient, full of history, life, youth, art, music and activity. Take a tour of the Papal Palace and a stroll on the Pont d'Avignon. Southeast of Place de l'Horloge on rue des Marchands, rue Rouge and adjoining streets, you'll find a pedestrian-only zone chock full of funky shops and ethnic restaurants. Enjoy a steaming plate of cous-cous or a tajine at one of the many African restaurants in this neighborhood.

Day 4: Tuesday
See Châteauneuf-du-Pape, a medieval village - and former summer retreat of
popes - perched high on a hillside. From there, take a drive in the countryside and sample the produce of the many Châteauneuf-du-Pape appellation wine cellars, as well as AOC Côtes-du-Rhône vineyards within the Côte-du-Rhône region. The lovely village of Villeneuve les Avignon merits a stop on the way home.

Day 5: Wednesday
Wednesday morning is market day in Saint-Rémy-de-Provence. The old village of Saint-Rémy is pretty and picturesque - a must-see while in Provence. Spend the afternoon in Les-Baux-de-Provence. In this village, you will find one of the best restaurant in Provence, the Michelin-rated l'Oustau de Beaumanière. You must make a reservation in advance. Do not miss their crème brûlée!

Day 6: Thursday
Spend a relaxing day exploring la Camargue. The Camargue was designated as a botanical and zoological nature reserve. Spring and Autumn are the best times for seeing the native birds, bulls and horses. Bring a bird book, binoculars and camera ... and some mosquito repellent. The main village there is les Saintes-Maries-de-la-Mer, the village has a bull-fighting arena at the water's edge. For more bull fights (with the black Camargue bulls) stop by the village of Aigues-Morte.

Day 7: Friday
Explore Le Luberon area, immortalized by Peter Mayle in his book A Year in Provence. Within 20 kilometers you will find some of the most beautiful villages in France: Roussillon, Gordes, Venasque, Ménerbes, Lacoste. In June and July do not miss a trip to the Cistercian abbey Notre-Dame-de-Sénanque founded in the 12th century. The abbey is surrounded by large lavender fields. The fragrant - and homemade - lavender-based products for sale in the gift shop make great souvenirs and help support the order.

Day 8: Saturday
Spend the day in Aix-en-Provence, city of art and birthplace of Paul Cézanne. The Cours Mirabeau is a beautiful tree-lined avenue, with one side lined with wonderful terrace cafés and bookshops. Sit, have coffee or lunch and people-watch at your pick of the most famous cafés: Le Grillon, Les Deux Garçons, La Belle Époque or Le Café du Cours. On Saturday morning from 8am to 1pm the local farmers and artisans of the area display their produce at one of the largest markets in Provence.

Day 9: Sunday
Relax. Take a walk in the countryside surrounding your villa. Enjoy some pastries from a local pastry shop. This is a French habit - to buy pastries every Sunday to eat after lunch!

Day 10: Monday
Spend the day by the sea, at the seaside resort town of Saint-Tropez. Relax at a café, watching the largest yachts in the world, wandering the small streets and old picturesque buildings. There are endless possibilities for buying gifts or items of proof that you've been here!

Day 11: Tuesday
Today visit Arles, the city of Van Gogh. You will find the lovely Van Gogh museum in the center. Visit the major Roman sites, such as the Arena and the Theater. From the city you can even take in a lovely river cruise on the Rhône River.

Day 12: Wednesday
Visit Uzès, one of the most charming villages in Provence. On the way make sure to stop at le Pont du Gard, inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List since 1985.

Day 13: Thursday
Visit the Roman city of Nîmes and its Maison Carrée and oval Roman amphitheatre.

Day 14: Friday
Spend the day relaxing, packing, and doing your last-minute shopping.

Day 15: Saturday
Reflect on all you've done and seen and save the rest for next time. A bientôt!