The Provence Starter Guide (Free Download)
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The Provence Starter Guide: Your Dream Trip to the South of France, Simplified
Lavender fields, olive groves, rosé at golden hour, and long lunches under plane trees. For many, Provence is a dream held tightly in the mind—a place where the slow French rhythm makes you live and breathe differently.
But as magical as the South of France is, planning a trip there requires more than just daydreaming. It requires practical know-how. From navigating winding rural roads to understanding early market hours and strict lunch closures, there is a reality to travelling here that visitors often miss.
That is why I created The Provence Starter Guide. Written from the perspective of someone who actually lives it, bases herself in Paris, and spends months each year exploring and hosting in the South, this guide is designed to bridge the gap between the idyllic dream and the practical logistics.
Whether you are a solo woman traveller, a couple, or simply craving a trip centred around beauty and connection, this is your trusted roadmap.
Why You Need This Guide
Provence is extraordinary, but it can be tricky to navigate if you don't know the local codes. This free download offers a curated game plan to help you travel like a local, not a tourist.
Inside this free guide, you will discover:
- The Best Time to Visit: Learn exactly when to book your trip. Discover why June is perfect for lavender and markets, while September and October offer the perfect temperatures and grape harvests without the peak summer crowds.
- Accommodation Breakdown: Should you rent a stone farmhouse (mas) for a countryside rhythm, or stay in a village for easy access to boulangeries? I break down the pros and cons to help you decide.
- Driving & Transport: The truth is, you need a car to properly see Provence. I share essential tips on booking compact automatics for narrow rural roads and managing limited parking.
- Must-Visit Villages & Markets: Stop guessing which markets are best. I list my favourites, including L'Isle-sur-la-Sorgue on Sundays and Saint-Rémy-de-Provence on Wednesdays . plus the iconic villages you can't miss, like Gordes, Lourmarin, and Cassis.
- Food & Wine Decoder: Know exactly what to order, from Petits farcis to Melon de Cavaillon. Plus, a guide to the wine regions—understand the difference between the light, floral rosés of Côtes de Provence and the robust reds of Bandol.
A Sneak Peek: Travel Like an Insider
One of the biggest surprises for first-time visitors is the rhythm of the day. Did you know that many villages completely shut down between 12:30 and 15:00? Or that restaurants often close two days a week?.
My guide covers these critical "Insider Tips," including specific etiquette for visiting lavender fields (never step between the rows!) and why you must always carry cash for antique Brocantes.
Who This Guide Is For
- Women planning a first trip to Provence
- Women returning and wanting to do it properly
- Solo travellers wanting clarity and safety
- Friends planning a European summer
- Anyone dreaming of long lunches, lavender, rosé, and quiet French villages
If you’ve ever pinned a lavender field photo or saved a TikTok of Gordes at sunset, this is for you.
Why I’m Giving This Away
Because The Provence Retreat has grown into something unexpectedly powerful.
Every week, more women join the waitlist. Many have never been to Provence, or they’ve only experienced the tourist version of it.
This guide is my way of opening the door wider — whether you join a retreat or not.
It’s also the best introduction to the world we’re building: immersive, thoughtful, slow, luxurious in feeling rather than in price.
Planning to Travel in 2026?
Our women-only Provence Retreat is launching soon with extremely limited spaces.
The guide includes early-access details, a preview itinerary, and the option to join the priority list before public release.
If Provence has been calling you - consider this your sign.
Download Your Free Provence Guide
The guide is completely free - you just enter your email so it can be delivered instantly.
(Instant PDF, beautifully designed, mobile-friendly, and printable. Don't forget to check your junkmail folder)
Because Provence should feel magical, not overwhelming: