My First Time in the South of France!

Somehow, I’ve completely forgotten to document my last few weekend trips – and we’ve officially entered white-sky-season in Paris, so it’s the perfect time to reminisce on my first South of France getaway this past August.

quiet street in south of france — Small south of France village early in the morning during summer; August 2022

I left on a Friday night, as the sun stays up so late in the summer in France – it’s easy to leave at 5pm and still get to where you’re going before the sunsets. It’s about a 3 hour hop from Paris to Avignon – the city where my dad’s cousin’s summer home is.

pool with pink house south of france — Poolside in the South of France!

I remember on the train ride down, feeling semblances of Italy – and simultaneously getting that “new travel feeling” of going somewhere I had never been before, which I hadn’t felt since Japan.

Sunset on the train from Paris to Avignon; August 2022

I was pleasantly surprised how mountainous the South of France was, once we started heading past Lyon…

mountains and sunset from train window — Mountains in the South of France; August 2022

Here’s a full itinerary of what I did in the Avignon area!

Things to Do As a Day Trip Near Avignon

Day 1

The first night I arrived, I just enjoyed the air conditioning – something I don’t have in my Paris apartment! The next morning, we got up early to get fresh baguettes and have our breakfast with coffee, jam, and cheeses.

jam bread and cheese on table with baguette — Jam, cheese, and coffee – classic French breakfast!

baguettes on blue and yellow table cloth — Fresh baguettes… heaven!

Half Day Trip to Pernes-les-Fontaines

Then, we head off to a wonderful market – filled with everything you could imagine: lavender, fresh strawberries (the best I’ve ever tasted in my entire life!), truffle, special spreads, spices, garlic, sunglasses (which was perfect, because my other pair from HEMA broke – those things aren’t built to last…), clothes.. anything you could imagine.

outdoor market in france — Outdoor market on Quai de Verdan near Pernes-les-Fontaines; August 2022

bulbs of garlic on purple table cloth — I thought this was the most beautiful garlic I’ve ever seen in my entire life…

lavender for sale — Lavender everywhere, as I was close to the Provence region!

colorful plates for sale — It was so tempting to buy one of these plates, but I had just bought one in Seville.

Fruit stand at a market in Pernes-les-Fontaines; August 2022

After that, we took a lunch break in Pernes-les-Fontaines, and found lovely little place with outdoor seating perfect for enjoying summer.

purple flowers and castle like street — Wandering around Pernes-les-Fontaines; August 2022

tomato salad — Beautiful veggie salad at restaurant off of Rue de la Margelle in Pernes-les-Fontaines; August 2022

After this, we did some wondering – this was all in the same vicinity of the outdoor market.

small side street — Wondering around Pernes-les-Fontaines; August 2022

We hiked up some stairs for an awesome view, very reminiscent of San Marino in Italy!

view from a fortress in Pernes-les-Fontaines — The skinny trees in the south of France reminded me of Italy, which makes sense – as if you follow the coast of France to the east, you’re there!

girl in white tee and shorts in south of france — Not a bad view, behind me!

Relaxing in the South of France

Then, we headed back home to enjoy some pool and relaxation time. We made chocolate covered strawberries, I went for a swim (which I don’t think I had done since the Outer Banks four summers ago), and wrote in my journal with the soft South of France breeze whispering through my thin curls with hot pink flowers fluttering to my left.

Decadence defined: chocolate covered strawberries poolside in the South of France; August 2022

girl in swimming pool — Swimming in the South of France; August 2022

writing in a blue journal near a pool — Poolside journaling… not bad.

Pink flowers in the South of France; August 2022

City Center of Avignon

After a shower and a change of clothes, we drove to the city center of Avignon – and wandered around before sitting for dinner with a view of the Wall of Avignon.