This is one of our favourite French holidays. Firstly because Provence is so beautiful and secondly, my belle-famille, have spent generations in this area and know the best artisanal producers, markets and villages to visit. I can understand why the region has inspired artists, authors and chefs for centuries. To me, Provence is the warm heart of France.

Its weather is glorious, its people are kind and friendly, its villages are eye-wateringly pretty and its food is the kind your grandmother would make – delicious and unpretentious. A journey through Provence and neighbouring Côte d’Azur is one that will delight all your senses. Start with a few days in historic Avignon, which you can use as a base to explore the region. Follow Avignon with a stay in one of the breathtakingly beautiful villages of the Luberon, such as Gordes or Roussillon. After the lavender fields of Provence, the rose and jasmine fields, and perfumeries of Grasse are next on the menu. Grasse is where the ingredients for the world’s most famous perfume, Chanel No 5, are grown, and you are sure to go home with a new favourite fragrance. On the Côte d’Azur, we recommend using Nice or St Tropez as a base. The French Riviera’s crystal clear sea and sunny skies make it the perfect place to spend a few days unwinding before heading back to your busy lives.

Recommended length: 12 nights

Avignon — Arles — Aix-en-Provence — Chateauxneuf-du-Pape — Gordes — Roussillion — Grasse — Nice or Saint Tropez