Provence and lavender fields - Avignon — Gorges du Verdon — Valensole - Rural campsites, farm stops, parking areas near viewpoints

🚗 Start in Avignon, finish in Avignon. About 35–55 km for the day, pure driving time around 1–1.5 hours. This is a day without long transfers: it’s convenient to pick up the car at Avignon TGV or in the city, get used to French road markings and parking, and then do a short driving loop via Barthelasse Island and Villeneuve-lès-Avignon. Main stops: parking near Avignon’s historic center, Pont Saint-Bénézet and panoramic spots in Villeneuve-lès-Avignon. Overnight stay makes sense in Avignon or at Camping Bagatelle if you want a city camping format. Road nuances: the center has many paid parking areas and restricted streets; inside the old town it’s not worth trying to drive randomly through the narrow lanes; better to leave the car in an official parking lot and explore on foot. The day is realistic for an average driver because it requires almost no highway driving and helps you ease into the rhythm of the road trip before the more scenic but winding Verdon roads.

🚗 Start in Avignon, finish in the Luberon or Apt area. About 95–125 km, pure driving time 2–2.5 hours without stops. On the way it’s convenient to make 2–3 main stops: L’Isle-sur-la-Sorgue for coffee and canal-side walks, Gordes or the viewpoint by the village, then Roussillon with its ochre slopes and parking at the entrance. This is a beautiful but not tiring day: the drives are short, and the villages themselves are compact enough that you won’t spend the whole day behind the wheel. It’s convenient to stay overnight still in the Luberon zone or already shift southeast to shorten tomorrow’s drive to Verdon; practically, it’s best to choose a base closer to Apt. Road nuances: many local D-roads, heavy summer traffic and full parking lots at the most popular villages, so it’s better to set off early. The day is realistic because distances between points are short, and the route gives a rich sense of Provence without rushing.

🚗 Start from the Apt or Luberon area, finish in Moustiers-Sainte-Marie or Les Salles-sur-Verdon. About 125–165 km, pure driving time 2.5–3.5 hours. On the way it makes sense to stop around Manosque or Riez for fuel and shopping, then head to Lac de Sainte-Croix and arrive in Moustiers-Sainte-Marie. The second half of the day is well suited for a leisurely walk around the village and preparing for the scenic loop through Gorges du Verdon the next day. Overnight stay: a hotel in Moustiers-Sainte-Marie or a campsite in the village/lake area. Road nuances: the roads become narrower and more winding, but remain tourist-friendly and safe for a regular passenger car. It’s better to arrive before dark: in the evening it’s easier to park in an official parking lot and check in without stress. The day is realistic because the main scenic drive is still ahead, while the transfer itself is moderate and easily split into short stages.

🚗 Start in Moustiers-Sainte-Marie or Les Salles-sur-Verdon, finish in the same area by Lake Sainte-Croix. About 95–130 km, pure driving time 2.5–3.5 hours, but you should allow 6–8 hours for the whole day because of the viewpoints. Main stops: Point Sublime, the village of La Palud-sur-Verdon and the loop along Route des Crêtes with belvédères. Official tourist information recommends driving Route des Crêtes clockwise; part of the route is one-way, and one section is seasonally closed from late November to late March, so this day is especially good from spring to autumn. It’s convenient to spend a second night in Les Salles-sur-Verdon or Moustiers-Sainte-Marie so you don’t have to relocate after the mountain switchbacks. Road nuances: this is not off-road, but a normal panoramic road, though it is narrow, exposed in places and requires a calm pace; it’s not worth driving it in the dark, in fog or when very tired. The day is realistic because the mileage is small, and the main point is to enjoy the gorge rather than rack up distance.

🚗 Start from Les Salles-sur-Verdon or Moustiers-Sainte-Marie, finish in Valensole or near the plateau. About 55–95 km, pure driving time 1.5–2 hours. This is the most photogenic and relaxed day of the route: a short drive to Plateau de Valensole, with stops at lavender and grain fields, rural roads and farm spots. Main stops: viewpoints and fields between Valensole and Puimoisson, a visit into Valensole itself, plus breaks at permitted pull-offs and rural parking spots, without blocking entrances to private property. It’s best to stay overnight at a rural base, guesthouse or small hotel in Valensole / Riez / Gréoux-les-Bains; if you need a campsite, it’s reasonable to use a base near Sainte-Croix and make the day radial, but for a fuller lavender experience it’s nicer to stay near the plateau. Road nuances: during the flowering season, usually from late June to mid-July, traffic is slower because of photo stops and cyclists; after the harvest the visual effect is much weaker. The day is realistic because the drive is very short, and almost all the time goes to relaxed stops rather than driving.

🚗 Start in Valensole, finish in Avignon. About 140–180 km, pure driving time 2.5–3.5 hours depending on the chosen road. It’s convenient to make 1–2 stops: fuel up before leaving the plateau, coffee break in Manosque or Cavaillon, then return to Avignon to drop off the car. You can go by a more direct route using a combination of departmental roads and motorways, or choose a slightly more scenic but slower way. Overnight stay — if your flight or train is the next day, it’s better to stay in Avignon again; if you leave in the evening, allow extra time for refueling and returning the car. Road nuances: toll sections are possible on fast motorways, and on entering larger towns you need to watch parking signs and restrictions carefully. The day is realistic because it’s one normal final transfer without unnecessary detours, after which there is still time left for car return and a final walk.