15 Best Things to Do in St-Remy-de-Provence, France

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It is safe to say that I love St-Remy-de-Provence. This town, located in the Alpilles Regional Natural Park, is full of history and charm. So if you’re planning a visit, you’ll love these 15 best things to do in St-Remy-de-Provence, France.

I was lucky to spend 2 days in St-Remy-de-Provence during my recent 2-week trip to the South of France. I spent several days just in Provence, enjoying the smaller towns, visiting lavender fields, and shopping at the cutest markets. And St-Remy-de-Provence was where I began, setting the tone for an epic French getaway. 

So let the sounds of cicadas chirping soothe you, the flavors of fresh fruits at the St-Remy-de-Provence market entice you, and the sights of historic ruins and art-inspiring places astound you. Let’s talk about what to do in St-Remy-de-Provence for a perfect weekend! 

15 Best Things to Do in St-Remy-de-Provence

To have the best time in St-Remy-de-Provence, here are the top things you’re going to want to do.

1. Visit Glanum

Located within walking distance of the town of St-Remy-de-Provence is a much older town that lies in ruins. In fact, this town dates back to around the 6th century BC. 

Yes, this dates back to even before the Romans, although they certainly left their mark here too. Actually, the archeological ruins of Glanum have 3 architectural styles you can see on your visit: Celtic, Greek, and Roman. 

It began when the Salyens, a Gallic Celtic-Ligurian tribe, built the town around a spring. Then, they were influenced by the Greeks thanks to trading in the Mediterranean before being conquered by the Romans. 

And it wasn’t just a tiny town. It was quite large and only a small portion has been excavated for people to see today. It was actually abandoned 270 AD due to Germanic invasions and wasn’t found again until 1921. 

Before it was rediscovered, it actually was buried under an olive orchard. 

But now you can see this historic site and learn more about the town’s history and how the people likely lived back then via an audio-guided tour. 

As someone who is a big history buff, this was such a cool thing to do in St-Remy-de-Provence and well worth your time. Just be sure to wear plenty of sunscreen as it is pretty much all in direct sunlight. 

Glanum Admission: €9 for adults, or €7.50 if you have the Pass Saint Remy (which you can buy on site here). Free for children under 18, EU citizens and residents between 18-25, jobseekers, and those who are disabled. You can rent an audioguide for €3. 

Glanum Opening Hours: April-September open daily from 9:30 am-6 pm. October-March open Tuesday-Sunday from 10 am-5 pm. 

2. Van Gogh Route

Van Gogh lived in an asylum called Saint-Paul de Mausole in St-Remy-de-Provence for a year where he painted some of his iconic works including Starry Night, Olive Trees, Wheat Field With Cyprus Trees, and more!

While none of his art is kept in St-Remy-de-Provence, you can take a self-guided tour to learn more about his life, his mental illness, his work, and his time in St-Remy-de-Provence. It begins in the town and leads you all the way to Saint-Paul de Mausole. 

Along the way, you’ll see many of his famous works and information about them on signs. What was really cool, though, was being able to see some of the inspiration behind his work in person! 

I saw the beautiful trees lining the street in St-Remy-de-Provence where he painted a few pieces. The absolutely draw-dropping point was when I was near the asylum and saw the sign for the Olive Trees. I looked up to see the scene almost exactly as it was when he painted it! 

To explore this route, you can just follow the signs and read them, or you can rent an audioguide at the St-Remy-de-Provence Tourism Office for €3. You just have to leave an ID behind and pick it up before the office closes! 

This is a great route to check out, because it is close to Glanum at the end, meaning you can do this route, visit the Asylum, and then go to Glanum! 

3. Saint-Paul de Mausole

I discussed this a bit above, but this is the asylum where Van Gogh lived for a year in St-Remy-de-Provence. 

Here you can explore the historic asylum, visit Van Gogh’s former rooms including a studio and his bedroom, and even admire the view outside of his window. 

This place is also a former monastery, so you can walk around the beautiful cloisters during your time here. It is also well worth walking in the gardens in the back with a lavender field.

This was a lovely place to visit during my time in St-Remy-de-Provence and felt so peaceful. 

Saint-Paul de Mausole Admission: €8 for adults, €6 for groups, students, disabled persons, and children 12-16 years old. There is a discount with the St-Remy Pass too.

Saint-Paul de Mausole Hours: February-March from 10:15 am-12 pm and 1-5:15 pm. April through December 22 from 9:30 am-7 pm. Closed from late December until early February. 

4. Hotel de Sade

What was once a private Renaissance mansion owned by the Sade Family is now home to a museum.

In fact, this place was once home to Gallo-Roman thermal baths, a Medieval chapel and tithe house, a Renaissance mansion, a theatre, a shop, and more!

Here you can admire the architecture of the building as well as many of the artifacts from Glanum. 

In 1940 they found remains of the Gallo-Roman thermal baths after excavations here. So at the museum, you can learn more about everyday objects that the people of Glanum once used as well as visit themal bathhouse ruins. 

It is a great addition to your visit to Glanum, and I recommend going here first before visiting Glanum. 

Hotel de Sade Admission: €5 for full price or €4 with the Pass Saint Remy.

Hotel de Sade Hours: Tuesday-Sunday from 9:30 am-1 pm and 2-6 pm. 

5. Musee des Alpilles

Located in Hotel Mistral de Mondragon, this museum discusses the history of this area of Provence including both nature and human history. 

Admire the Renaissance architecture here as well as dive into the history of the Alpilles in this informative museum during your time exploring the St-Remy-de-Provence attractions. 

Musee des Alpilles Admission: €5 full price and €4 with the Pass Saint-Remy. 

Musee des Alpilles Hours: October-March from Wednesday-Saturday from 1-5:30 pm. April-September from Tuesday-Sunday from 10 am-1 pm and 2-6 pm. 

6. Musee Estrine

While Vincent Van Gogh painted many works during his time in Saint-Remy-de-Provence, sadly, none of them are still in the town. But if you want to learn a little more about Van Gogh at their interpretation center you can go and check it out. 

There are also other collections to see from other painters as well as a temporary art exhibition. 

When I visited in July 2024, one of the exhibits featured photographic art created by AI. It was interesting and terrifying in equal measure. 

This is a little museum and won’t take long to visit, plus it is in the heart of the town! 

Musee Estrine Admission: €7 for full price. Discounted prices if you have the Saint-Remy Pass. 

Musee Estrine Hours: Open daily except on Monday. February, March, November, and December from 2-5:30 pm. April and October from 10 am-12 pm and 2-6 pm. May-September from 10 am-6 pm. Closed from December 23-mid-February. 

7. Visit the St-Remy-de-Provence Market: One of the Best Things to Do in Saint-Remy-de-Provence

Each week St-Remy-de-Provence is host to its provencal market. Here you can purchase anything from herbs to olives and olive products to fruits and vegetables and more!

I don’t know about you, but I LOVE a good provencal market. There is something about wandering around the town in the morning hours searching for the perfect product and fun things to potentially take home as a souvenir. 

So bring your French straw market basket (a very French staple) and see which goodies you can find! 

This market takes place on Place de la Republique on Wednesdays from 8 am-1 pm. However, during bull races and events, it may be canceled. 

8. Shopping in St-Remy-de-Provence

Saint-Remy-de-Provence has plenty of shopping! Aside from the farmers market mentioned above, there are many cute boutiques around the town to purchase clothes, accessories, art, and even spices and other goodies. 

9. Attend a Bull Race

In this region of France, bullfighting is part of tradition. Now these aren’t the same bullfighting traditions in places like Spain where the matador dresses up and then the bull ends up slaughtered. 

Bulls aren’t harmed during these bull races in this area. They are actually known as bull races or “course Camarguaise.”

This is where the bull comes into the arena with things tied between its horns. The razeteurs (or the bull racers) must tire out the bull and try to get the objects. It can be quite chaotic as the razetuers leap into the air and out of the gate to avoid the bull and sometimes the bull leaps the fence as well. 

Many places in the Camargue have these events, and St-Remy-de-Provence is no exception. These events typically take place between March through October at the Arenes Municipales Chomel-Coinon in town. 

Admission for this is around €10. 

Along with bull races, there are events around the bulls as well. In the summer, there is also a festival dedicated to the local tradition called Feria. 

Also in the summer, typically in July, there is a running of the bulls event in the town. There are barriers to stay safe while watching the bulls, and they are run one by one with French cowboys on horseback through the village. Here you may even see many a “brave” (aka drunk/dumb) male try to grab the bull by the horns.

10. Have Drinks in a Lovely Square

The French love a good apero so why not embrace having a nice cocktail or glass of rose while sitting on a terrace in a square? 

There are plenty of places to grab a drink near where the Hotel de Sade and Musee des Alpilles are located. There is a lovely square there so grab a drink and perhaps some snacks and enjoy! 

11. Wander Through the Town of Saint-Remy-de-Provence

Saint-Remy-de-Provence is such a lovely village. With beautiful cream-colored buildings with colorful shutters, stunning Sycamore-lined streets, and even little bits of art on walls or as statues, you’ll love just walking around the town and taking photos. 

12. Go Wine Tasting

Being in the heart of Provence, you know there is delicious wine. So why not go wine tasting around St-Remy-de-Provence? 

Check out places like Domaine de la Vallongue, Chateau Romanin, Mas de la Dame, Domaine des Terres Blanches, and more! 

Some grapes grown in the are for wine include Grenache, Syrah, Cinsault, and Mourvedre. 

They also make white wines and, of course, rose. But if you can get your hands on a nice Grenache, Syrah, and Mourvedre (aka a GSM) blend, you’ll be in good shape. 

13. Things to Do Around St-Remy-de-Provence: Explore the Surrounding Area

There is so much to see and do near St-Remy-de-Provence during your stay! 

So, once you’ve explored the best things to do in St-Remy-de-Provence, why not visit other cities and towns nearby? 

I loved checking out nearby towns like L’Isle-sur-la-Sorgue for their market, lovely canals, and many antique shops, Le Thor for its charm and I happened to be there during their local Lavender Festival, and Baux-de-Provence for its charming hilltop village.

However, Avignon is also close by and so is Arles, so if you’re looking for bigger villages and a city to explore, these are nearby too. 

14. Hiking Near St-Remy-de-Provence

Being a town in the Alpilles Natural Regional Park, you know there are plenty of great places to hike! 

Whether you want a quick, family-friendly hike or a longer day hike, there is something for you. 

Check here for some great hiking ideas around St-Remy-de-Provence.

15. Stay at a Hotel With a Pool and Relax

Something I absolutely adore about staying in a smaller town in Provence is relaxing by the pool, taking it all in, and enjoying the sounds of the cicadas. I know many locals probably hate the sound of cicadas by now, but I find it kind of soothing. It reminds me of my childhood in rural Kentucky listening to the cicadas in the summer. 

So book a hotel with a nice swimming pool where you can relax, have a swim and cool off, and enjoy the moment during your time in Provence. Here are hotels that fit the bill.

Le Petit Hotel: This is where I stayed, and it was phenomenal. The staff are so nice, they serve up a fantastic breakfast, the rooms are lovely, and the pool area is great! I loved grabbing snacks for a little apero and enjoying that by the pool one evening! Plus, it is within walking distance for everything! 

Book it here!

Le Chateau des Alpilles: Want to splurge on a nice, 5-star hotel? This is the place. While located outside of the heart of the village, this place is a lovely chateau and even the road is lined with Sycamore trees leading you to its entrance. Here you’ll find an enchanting bar, cute restaurant, and a stunning pool to relax after a hot day of exploring. 

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Hotel le Vallon de Valrugues & Spa: Located a little further from the touristy spots in town, this is a peaceful place to enjoy. This place has a bar, restaurant, spa, rooms, suites, and villas, and, of course, a stunning pool to cool off in on a hot summer day in Provence. 

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Hotel Villa Glanum & Spa: Located really close to Glanum and Saint-Paul de Mausole, this is a great place to stay to be closer to these attractions. However, it is still walkable to the remainder of the town. Plus, this place has cute rooms, a spa, a bar, and a pool. 

Book it here!

When to Visit Saint-Remy-de-Provence

You could probably visit Saint-Remy-de-Provence any time of year and have a great time! However, I will note that some St-Remy-de-Provence attractions above are closed between late December and early February. 

Also, there are many hotels and restaurants that shut down in this area during the off season and winter months. So do some research ahead of time on what will be open if you plan to visit in winter.

But it really depends on if you’re coming as part of a bigger trip to see the lavender fields of Provence, for a beach vacation in the Cote d’Azur, etc. If this is the case, then summertime is when to visit. 

For the lavender fields, early July is when you’ll want to come to Provence in general. For the beaches, summer through early autumn. 

I’ve visited Provence both in the middle of summer in July as well as in late September and early October and both times were great! I will say that the weather and crowds are a lot better outside of the summer months. But I didn’t find St-Remy-de-Provence to be too crowded when I was there in July. 

However, to avoid crowds and have cooler weather than the summer, I’d opt for April-May and September-October. 

How to Get to St-Remy-de-Provence

There isn’t a train station in Saint-Remy-de-Provence, so your best bet is either taking the bus from Avignon or renting a car. 

I like checking rental car prices on AutoEurope. 

I ended up renting a car for my 2-week South of France trip so I ended up flying into Nice and driving to St-Remy-de-Provence to kick off my journey. 

However, you could also fly into Marseille or even Paris and take the train to Avignon. From there, you could rent a car or take the bus. 

Is Saint-Remy-de-Provence Worth Visiting?

I highly recommend it! If you love provencal markets, adorable Provence towns, and history, then you’re going to love St-Remy-de-Provence. This place is full of olive trees, charming cobblestone streets, and cicadas chirping the day away. 

It is calming and peaceful. This place makes for a great escape from bustling cities like Paris, Marseille, or even Avignon. So for a peaceful and beautiful getaway in the heart of Provence, this is the place. 

I hope you fall in love with St-Remy-de-Provence as much as I did. What would you like to do here?

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