Planning a Provence vacation from the USA

We love welcoming American families to Villa Bonnieux, and the question we hear first is always how to get here and how to plan the time. The short answer: fly to Nice or Paris, take the train or drive, and base yourself in one place for a week rather than moving every night. Here is everything we tell our US guests.

Outdoor dining terrace at Villa Bonnieux looking over the Luberon valley

Getting here

Fly to Nice	Seasonal nonstop flights from several US cities, including New York and Washington, mostly spring to fall	About 3 hours’ drive to the villa
Fly to Paris, then the TGV	Nonstop from most major US airports, then about 2 h 40 on the high-speed train to Avignon	About 50 minutes’ drive from Avignon
Fly to Marseille	Usually one connection in Europe	About 1 h 10 to the villa
Pick up a car	At the airport or Avignon TGV station	Essential for exploring the villages

Private swimming pool at Villa Bonnieux with views over the Luberon

Fully equipped kitchen and dining area at Villa Bonnieux

Lavender and vineyards below the Luberon ridge

Passports, visas and arrival

US citizens do not need a visa to visit France for up to 90 days in any 180-day period. Your passport should be valid for at least three months after you leave Europe and issued within the last ten years. The EU’s Entry/Exit System takes your fingerprints and photo at passport control on your first arrival, so allow a little extra time. Entry rules change, so check the official French and EU government websites before you travel.

Driving in Provence

Your US driver’s license is valid for a vacation rental car, and an International Driving Permit is a sensible extra. We drive on the right, as at home. Most rental cars are manual, so book an automatic early for summer. Village lanes are narrow and parking lots small, so a compact car is easier than a big SUV. Parking at the villa is free, behind the gate. Our getting to Bonnieux page has all the drive times.

When to come

May and June	Warm, green, fewer crowds	Cherries and the first lavender
Mid-June to mid-July	Lavender season	Lavender in bloom around Bonnieux and the Luberon
July and August	Hot and lively	Festivals, markets and long evenings; book early
September and October	Golden light, grape harvest	Our favourite time for walking and wine

Beating jet lag

Provence is six hours ahead of New York and nine hours ahead of Los Angeles. Our advice: make the first full day a villa day. Croissants from the village bakery, a swim, lunch on the terrace, and a walk down to Bonnieux as the sun goes down. By day two you will be ready for the markets. Our week at Villa Bonnieux is planned with exactly that in mind.

Why one villa is better than a road trip

It is tempting to see Provence in a string of one-night stops. We would gently suggest the opposite: the Luberon rewards staying put. From Villa Bonnieux, Gordes, Roussillon, Lourmarin and a dozen perched villages are all under half an hour away, the markets move from village to village through the week, and you come home each evening to your own pool and a sunset over Mont Ventoux. There is even a day at the sea: the Calanques and Cassis are about an hour and a half away.

Good to know

Money

France uses the euro. Cards are accepted almost everywhere, but carry some cash for markets.

Power

Plugs are the European two-pin type at 230 volts, so bring adapters.

Restaurants

Lunch is usually from noon to 2 pm and dinner from 7:30 pm, and many village restaurants close one or two days a week, so book ahead in summer.

Air conditioning

Not a given in Provence, but the whole villa is air-conditioned, bedrooms included.

Space

A spacious three-bedroom house on 7,000 m² (about 1.7 acres) of private grounds, for up to six adults, or four adults and four children.

Talk to us

We reply personally, usually within the hour, and are happy to help you plan.

Questions from US guests

Do Americans need a visa for France?

No. US citizens can visit France for up to 90 days in any 180-day period without a visa, with a passport valid for three months beyond their departure from Europe. Entry rules change, so check the official French and EU government websites before you travel.

What is the best airport for the Luberon from the US?

Nice has seasonal nonstop flights from several US cities and is about three hours’ drive away. Alternatively, fly nonstop to Paris and take the TGV to Avignon, about 2 hours 40 minutes, then drive 50 minutes to the villa.

Can I drive in France with a US license?

Yes, for a vacation rental car. An International Driving Permit is a useful extra. Book an automatic early if you need one.

How many days do you need in Provence?

A week is ideal: enough to see the main villages and markets, take a day trip to Les Baux or the Calanques, and still have lazy days by the pool.

Is Villa Bonnieux good for families from the US?

Yes. It sleeps six, is fully air-conditioned and sits on 7,000 m² of private grounds. The pool is not fenced, so children must be supervised by an adult at all times.

Flight schedules and entry rules change, so check them before you book. Distances and driving times from Bonnieux are approximate. Opening seasons, days and hours for every place mentioned should be verified directly before you go.