How a movie sparked our interest
We've racked our brains, and we don't know why we settled down to watch Ridley Scott's 'A Good Year'.
The movie, for those that haven't seen it, is the tale of a City trader, Max (played by Russell Crowe), who inherits his uncle's tired chateaux in Provence.
Initially, he just plans to sell it, as life is in London. However … well, I won't give too much away, but he is charmed by that little pocket of France, and maybe Fanny Chenal (played by Marion Cotillard) had something to do with it.
![The pin image for our post - 'A Good Year: A reason for a road trip'](https://www.ourworldforyou.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/A-Good-Year-A-reason-for-a-road-trip-Pin6.jpg)
Our route through Provence
Where we stayed
These are the all the locations we stayed at on this trip. The ones with gold stars relate to our Provence locations;
 Beaune - Hôtel La Villa Fleurie
Avignon - Maison d'HĂ´tes Avignon La Banasterie
Arles - HĂ´tel de l'AmphithĂ©Ă¢tre
Grasse - Maison Saint Christophe
Gap - Accomodation no longer there
Lyon - Hotel Carlton Lyon
Auxerre - Hotel Le Maxime
Planning a Provence Road Trip
This was our version![A traditional carousel in the peaceful Place Carnot in the centre of Beaune, in the heart of the burgundy wine region of France](https://www.ourworldforyou.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/09/Place-Carnot-Beaune-V5.jpg)
Beaune (from Calais 378miles/609km)
Avignon (from Beaune 238miles/384km)
Arles (from Avignon 27miles/43km)
Grasse (from Arles 191miles/308km)
Gap (from Grasse 127miles/205km)
Lyon (from Gap 146miles/235km)
Auxerre (from Lyon 188miles/302km, to Calais 296miles/476km)
Our Gateway to France
Driving to Provence
Our chariot of choice![Our silver Audi S3 parked at the base of a mountain route through the Alpes-Maritimes region of the south of France](https://www.ourworldforyou.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/the-audi-s3-in-the-south-of-france.-explore-france-hidden-provence-places-to-see-in-provence-secret-france-visit-provence-what-to-see-in-provence-V5.jpg)
The very best of Provence
Heading for 'A Good Year'![A view across the Rhône river to the remains of the Pont d’Avignon and the Palais des Papes in the background.](https://www.ourworldforyou.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/07/The-Pont-dAvignon-at-dusk-visit-provence-places-to-visit-in-france-V5-1.jpg)
Avignon as a destination was splendid. Granted the sun shone, the food was fabulous & we were introduced to the wine of Lirac. It's also worth noting the village of ChĂ¢teauneuf-du-Pape is just over 10miles/17kms away.
From here we headed towards Gordes & Bonnieux, the key filming locations, all set within the Luberon Natural Regional Park.
![A view of the hillside town of Gordes captured in the glow of the evening sun.](https://www.ourworldforyou.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/07/The-town-of-Gordes-visit-provence-places-to-visit-in-france-V5.jpg)
![A view over the rooftops of Bonnieux to the landscape of Provence.](https://www.ourworldforyou.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/the-view-over-the-landscape-from-bonnieux-explore-france-hidden-gems-in-provence-places-to-see-in-provence-pretty-villages-in-france-visit-provence-V5.jpg)
![The historic Roman aqueduct of Pont du Gard. Three levels of arches carrying water over the river Gardon.](https://www.ourworldforyou.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/The-Pont-du-Gard-Provence-France-V5.jpg)
A little dated?
Discovering Provence
Sticking with the region![The ancient steps leading to Arles' Roman Amphitheatre in the Provence region of France.](https://www.ourworldforyou.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/the-roman-amphitheatre-in-arles-discover-provence-hidden-gems-in-provence-places-to-see-in-provence-pretty-towns-in-provence-visit-provence-V5.jpg)
![A cream motor scooter parked outside shuttered apartments in the historic centre of Arles in the heart of the Provence region of France](https://www.ourworldforyou.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/the-quiet-streets-of-arles-discover-provence-hidden-gems-in-provence-historic-provence-must-see-provence-pretty-towns-in-provence-visit-provence-V5.jpg)
![Earthy ochre tones of a series of shuttered windows in a home in Arles, Provence](https://www.ourworldforyou.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/a-window-in-arles-discover-provence-hidden-gems-in-provence-places-to-stay-in-provence-pretty-towns-in-provence-quaint-towns-in-provence-visit-provence-V5.jpg)
![A view of the rugged red rocks and the deep blue waters of the Cote d'Azur. Hugging the coastline is the road known as the Corniche d'Or.](https://www.ourworldforyou.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/the-wonderful-corniche-dor-on-the-cote-dazur-explore-france-iconic-france-must-see-france-secret-france-visit-france-what-to-see-in-france-V5.jpg)
If you love Provence as much as we do, you'll want to start planning your visit now.
I so enjoy using the DK Eyewitness books, as they are extremely informative, easy to follow and the pictures and maps tempt you into discovering more.
We used a previous version of this book to plan our Provencal road trip, now you can grab the revised copy.
More of Provence
But the story doesn't end there![Our black Audi S5 convertible parked across the valley from the hillside town of Les Baux-de-Provence in the south of France](https://www.ourworldforyou.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/the-audi-s5-at-the-readside-in-provence-explore-france-hidden-provence-places-to-see-in-provence-secret-france-visit-provence-what-to-see-in-provence-V5.jpg)
Your own adventure
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