5 Things That Surprised Me About Provence in Summer
Last Updated on February 16, 2026 by Charlotte
I went to Provence with visions of lavender fields, hilltop villages, and long lunches under olive trees. And yes, I got all of that, but there were also a few surprises I wasn’t expecting. Here are five things that caught me off guard during our summer trip to the south of France.
Just a heads-up: some links on this site are affiliate links, which means I may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you, if you make a purchase. Your support helps to keep the blog running.
1. Parts of Rural Provence Felt… Surprisingly Familiar?
Okay, hear me out. I spent a lot of time exploring Bucks County, Pennsylvania as a kid, with rolling farmland, lavender farms, rural flea markets—and there were moments driving through the Provençal countryside where I thought, “Wait, did we just fly 26 hours for this?”
The rural stretches between the famous hilltop villages had a familiar, almost Mid-Atlantic vibe that I wasn’t expecting. Of course, the moment we rolled into Gordes or Roussillon, that illusion shattered immediately. There aren’t exactly “hilltop villages” in Pennsylvania!
Let’s Play Geoguesser!
Can you guess which frame is rural Provence and which one is rural Pennsylvania? Let me know in the comments!
2. I Learned I’m Not a Gastronomic Restaurant Person
Provence is known for its Michelin-starred dining, and I thought I’d love it. Turns out? I don’t. Give me a family-run agriturismo in Italy or a Thai restaurant where someone’s grandma is cooking in the back, and I’m happy. But multi-course, multi-hour gastronomic meals leave my tongue overwhelmed and my stomach feeling weird.
Our favorite meal was at a small roadside restaurant on the Sault Plateau that wasn’t even on Google Maps! The food was simple, but the quality of the ingredients was incredible.
Also, ducks are my favorite waterbird, so foie gras just makes me sad. I think what I actually love is home cooking that is made with love, like the incredible breakfasts our B&B host Sonia baked fresh every morning. That’s my kind of luxury.
3. There Are SO Many Different Kinds of Lavender (And They All Do Different Things)
I thought lavender was just… lavender. Nope! We visited a distillery and learned that different varieties are used for different products—some for essential oils, some for food flavoring, some for perfume. We also got to sample some lavender ice cream and I liked that very much.
My travel buddy was absolutely fascinated by the whole distillation process (more interested than any normal person ought to be). Who knew lavender had a whole personality spectrum?
4. The Farm Markets and Grocery Stores Are Spectacular
Can you imagine fruit and vegetables so fresh and beautiful they look like they belong in a still-life painting? The quality of the produce in Provence was out of this world, and I found myself getting genuinely excited about trips to the local grocer.
If you’re staying somewhere with a kitchen (or even just grabbing picnic supplies), do yourself a favor and wander through a French supermarché. It’s an experience. And I also see why a lot of French people think Americans are fat, especially when over 70% of the floor space in US supermarkets is dedicated to ultra-processed cookies and crackers and prepared foods. I would totally eat more vegetables if a singular bell pepper did not cost $4 USD.
5. Cicadas. Cicadas EVERYWHERE.
The constant hum of cicadas is the summer soundtrack of Provence and is deeply woven into the fabric of the local culture. You’ll see cicada motifs in pottery, textiles, and art all over the region. I found this a little funny, because cicadas are a big thing in Pennsylvania too. Can you peep the ceramic cicada knife holder? I purchased a whole set!
Anyways, in Provence, cicadas are such a big thing that the poet Frédéric Mistral gave cicadas the motto “Lou soulèu me fai canta” (the sun makes me sing, in Occitan), which became the catchphrase for Provence itself.
