With its stunning natural backdrops, golden light, and authentic heritage, Provence is the perfect playground for a unique photo session. Here are my favorite spots, tried and tested, to create powerful, natural, and emotion-filled images.
1. Lavender Fields – Sault, Valensole, Luberon
When thinking of a photoshoot in Provence, the image of lavender fields immediately comes to mind. From the Luberon to Sault, nature becomes poetry. The endless purple stretches are bathed in light and vibrant with fragrance. It’s the perfect setting for a soft, romantic, almost surreal photoshoot. These iconic locations attract photographers, lovers, and families each year, all seeking memorable souvenirs. Take advantage of this magical setting to celebrate your wedding or vow renewal in complete intimacy.
👉 Best time to visit: Mid-June to mid-July (after that, the lavender is harvested)
📍 Access: A car is essential; some areas are accessible on foot via agricultural paths. Wear sturdy shoes.
💡 Tip: Most areas are private—stay at the edge of the fields out of respect for the farmers. Do not cut the lavender!
2. Gordes – Hilltop village of the Luberon
It’s impossible to talk about photography in Provence without mentioning Gordes, one of the most iconic villages. Its dry-stone houses, castle, and narrow streets exude authenticity and raw beauty. Perched on a hill, the village offers panoramic views of the Luberon valley. It’s a powerful location that instantly adds visual depth to images, blending sophistication with Provençal tradition.
👉 Best time to visit: Spring and autumn, to avoid crowds and enjoy golden light
📍 Access: Paid parking at the bottom or top of the village. Wear stable shoes as the village is on a hill.
💡 Tip: Choose a colorful outfit that contrasts with the stone hues.
3. Lourmarin – Bohemian elegance
Lourmarin embodies the discreet charm of a chic Provençal village. Between its Renaissance castle, cafés under plane trees, artist-like alleys, and delightful boutiques, it’s an ideal setting for a lifestyle photo session in Provence. The atmosphere is both lively and peaceful, perfect for capturing spontaneity and natural moments.
👉 Best time to visit: Year-round, but quieter outside the summer season
📍 Access: Easy and free parking around the village
💡 Tip: Avoid Friday mornings due to the bustling market.
4. Roussillon – The magic of ochre
With its red, orange, and yellow facades, Roussillon is a unique photo spot. Here, Provence takes on the appearance of the American desert. The Ochre Trail traverses a former extraction site, now converted into a park. Its astonishing palette of vibrant colors also characterizes the village’s buildings. For a photoshoot, this creates a dynamic and artistic ambiance, perfect for an original and vibrant shoot.
👉 Best time to visit: Year-round
📍 Access: Paid entry for the trail, open according to seasonal hours
💡 Tip: Wear neutral tones to highlight the backdrop’s pigments.
5. Les Baux-de-Provence – Strength and character
Perched on a rocky outcrop in the Alpilles, Les Baux-de-Provence offers a spectacular setting. Between the castle ruins, medieval streets, and the plunging view over the garrigue, it’s a place full of emotions, ideal for an intense photoshoot. Here, the stone tells stories, and every corner seems straight out of an old tale. It’s a strong, raw location for powerful and timeless images.
👉 Best time to visit: Outside summer to avoid crowds (spring or autumn) or early in the day
📍 Access: Pedestrian access only, paid parking, wear good shoes
💡 Tip: The endless olive groves also make a magnificent backdrop for a photoshoot combining old stones and nature.
6. Saint-Rémy-de-Provence – Between poetry and history
This is the beating heart of the Alpilles, close to Les Baux-de-Provence. Saint-Rémy is an artistic and peaceful Provence, the one that inspired Van Gogh. The olive trees, weathered walls, and ancient remains, such as the archaeological site of Glanum, offer an incredible diversity of settings. It’s perfect for a soft and intimate photoshoot, close to nature and genuine emotions.
👉 Best time to visit: Year-round – very bright even in winter
📍 Access: Easily accessible on foot from parking lots around the historic center
💡 Tip: Combine city and countryside in one session for more variety.
Penelope C.
As part of our family celebration in Provence, we booked a photo shoot with Marie. She is fluent in English, easy to work with, the photos were delivered promptly and most importantly, they were beautiful! This makes the best souvenir of our trip, the images that will carry our memories always! Highly recommended.
7. Châteauneuf-du-Pape – Vineyards and wine heritage
This famous wine village is perfect for a romantic photoshoot in Provence, in the heart of the vineyards. The rolling landscapes, orderly vines, old stones of the castle, and the view over the Rhône make it a noble and bucolic setting. It's an ideal place for wine lovers, the land, and elegant yet simple atmospheres.
👉 Best time to visit: From May, September for the harvest and autumn colors
📍 Access: Free parking near the castle
💡 Tip: Take advantage of the photoshoot to enjoy a wine tasting in one of Châteauneuf-du-Pape's many renowned estates.
8. Uzès – Medieval elegance and southern charm
With its arcades, cobbled streets, shaded squares, and the iconic Fenestrelle Tower, Uzès is a town of refined charm—perfect for an elegant and timeless photo session in the South of France. This Provençal gem offers a blend of softness and modernity, ideal for creating portraits full of grace and authenticity in a serene, urban setting.
👉 Best time to visit: From spring to fall
📍 Access: Easily accessible, paid parking around the town center
💡 Tip: On Saturday mornings, the local market brings the town to life and adds a vibrant twist to your shoot
9. Pont du Gard – Roman majesty
A UNESCO World Heritage Site, the Pont du Gard is an architectural masterpiece and an awe-inspiring location for a truly unique photoshoot in Provence. Between stone and nature, past and present, this ancient Roman aqueduct creates a powerful and monumental backdrop. Ideal for bold, emotional portraits where the human figure blends into a grand and solemn landscape.
👉 Best time to visit: Early morning or late afternoon, year-round
📍 Access: Paid parking; pedestrian access to the bridge
💡 Tip: Cool off in the river during summer and bring a picnic for a relaxed session by the water
10. Avignon – Culture, contrasts, and urban poetry
Avignon perfectly balances historical heritage and vibrant life. From the Palais des Papes and cobblestone alleyways to the Pont Saint-Bénézet and bustling cafés, every street corner tells a new story. It’s an ideal spot for an urban and lively photoshoot in Provence, rich with contrasts, textures, and vibrant city energy.
👉 Best time to visit: All year round
📍 Access: Historic center accessible by foot, several paid parking lots, and free parking just outside the city walls
💡 Tip: Avoid July, as the Avignon Festival attracts large crowds and makes the city quite hectic
11. Villeneuve-lès-Avignon – Peaceful elegance facing Avignon
Just across the Rhône, Villeneuve-lès-Avignon offers breathtaking views of Avignon while remaining calm and off the beaten path. With landmarks like the Philippe-le-Bel Tower, the Chartreuse du Val de Bénédiction, Fort Saint-André, and cypress-lined lanes, the town exudes quiet elegance and historical richness. It’s a serene and romantic setting for couples or family sessions, away from tourist crowds.
👉 Best time to visit: Spring or fall for soft light and a quieter village atmosphere
📍 Access: Easily reachable by car from Avignon, parking near the tower or in the town center
💡 Tip: Climb to the gardens of Fort Saint-André for an unforgettable sunset view
12. At Home – Your own Provençal paradise
From lush vineyards along the Rhône to lavender fields near Mont Ventoux, Provence is a living postcard. But sometimes, the best way to enjoy its beauty is from the comfort of your own private villa in the heart of nature. A photoshoot at home brings ease, intimacy, and a lifestyle feel—perfect for relaxed, authentic moments with your loved ones. Whether in the garden among olive trees and lavender bushes or by the pool as the kids splash and play, you’ll have the freedom to change outfits and create varied looks without pressure.
👉 Best time to visit: All year round
📍 Access: No transport needed—perfect, especially with young children
💡 Tip: Embrace a lifestyle approach: play pétanque, dip your feet in the pool, or enjoy a casual aperitif on the terrace as the golden light sets in
Provence is an endless visual feast—an open-air studio with landscapes that speak to the soul. A natural blend of color, light, and emotion, perfect for unforgettable photo sessions.
In addition to the breathtaking locations I’ve described above, I would also recommend: Grignan, Eygalières, Montpellier, the Camargue, Aix-en-Provence, Sainte-Victoire Mountain, Fontaine-de-Vaucluse, L’Isle-sur-la-Sorgue, La Roque-sur-Cèze, Montclus, Vaison-la-Romaine, Oppède-le-Vieux, Lacoste, Ménerbes, Bonnieux, the Gorges du Verdon, Cassis, and the Calanques of Marseille...
I can't wait to hear about your vision for your photoshoot in Provence!
Tell me everything about your project right here. Beyond helping you choose the perfect location, I’ll share my wardrobe tips and connect you with trusted talents—makeup artists, florists, ceremony officiants—to turn your shoot into a truly unforgettable experience.
An incredibly wonderful experience! Marie could not have been more gracious, kind, flexible, and lovely. Our photo experience was everything we could have hoped for. We just got the photos back and they are exquisite! Her attention to detail and ability to make everyone feel comfortable created an excellent experience for our entire family. Thanks for the lovely time and can not wait for another occasion to get our photos taken!