Provence in 4 days

The Luberon's best-known hilltop village clings to its rock above the valley, with cobbled lanes climbing between drystone houses to a Renaissance castle.

A 12th-century Cistercian abbey near Gordes, still home to monks, whose lavender rows in front of the Romanesque façade flower in July.

A marked path winds through old ochre quarries whose cliffs run from yellow to orange to deep red, set against green pines.

Every Sunday, producers, second-hand dealers and antique sellers spread along the canals of the Sorgue for one of the biggest markets in France.

One of the largest Gothic palaces anywhere, built when Avignon was the seat of the popes, with state rooms, painted chapels and rooftop terraces.

A fortified village on a rocky spur above the Alpilles, where the ruined castle has rebuilt trebuchets and views reaching the Camargue.

A 1st-century Roman arena that held around 20,000 spectators; walk the tiers, galleries and medieval towers with views over the Rhône.

From mid-June to mid-July the plateau turns into rows of lavender between wheat fields; the D6 and D8 roads give the best views.