Festivals, events, activities: what to do in April in Provence?
Last update on
Mar 18, 2026
April in Provence is the best time to discover the region before the summer crowds arrive. Spring in Provence brings cultural events, local festivals, and outdoor activities to life. You can enjoy the first Provençal festivals, which are less crowded than those in summer!
April marks the return of the big festivals. The Easter feria attracts lovers of tradition to the Var and Bouches-du-Rhône departments. The Aix-en-Provence Easter Festival offers concerts in the historic center. In Avignon, the Festo Pitcho brings the city to life with shows for young audiences.
On this page, we present the major events of April and the must-see activities available during this period.
Major events in April in Provence
Here is a selection of events not to be missed in April in Provence!
Easter weekend (April 2–6, 2026)
LA FÉRIA DE PÂQUES (“Easter festival”) in Arles (Bouches-du-Rhône) — From Friday, April 3 to Monday, April 6, 2026, Arles becomes one of the major bullfighting events of the spring. Bullfights, novilladas, Camargue races, encierros, abrivados, and bodegas are the usual ingredients of this great festival. The arenas and streets of the historic center are bustling with activity for four days and four nights.
THE INTERNATIONAL ANTIQUES AND FLEA MARKETin L'Isle-sur-la-Sorgue (Vaucluse) — From April 2 to 6, 2026, a large antiques fair will be held in L'Isle-sur-la-Sorgue. 500 exhibitors, period furniture, contemporary art, vintage items. Over 100,000 visitors expected. A major event for bargain hunters from around the world.
AIX EASTER FESTIVAL in Aix-en-Provence (Bouches-du-Rhône) — From March 28 to April 12, 2026, the Easter Festival returns for its 13th edition at the Grand Théâtre de Provence. Nearly 900 artists, 21 paid concerts, and around 100 free musical events are on the program. Under the artistic direction of Renaud Capuçon, it one of the major classical music festivals in Europe.
ROLEX MONTE-CARLO MASTERS in Monaco — From April 5 to 12, 2026, at the Monte-Carlo Country Club in Monaco. The first major ATP Masters 1000 clay court tournament of the European season, featuring the world's best players in an exceptional setting overlooking the Mediterranean.
Easter Monday (April 6, 2026)
FÊTE DE L'ORANGER in Le Bar-sur-Loup (Alpes-Maritimes) — Homemade orange wine and bitter orange jam competition. Entertainment, games, dancing, music, and exhibitions centered around this precious fruit.
End April
The “BRAVADE DE FRÉJUS” (Var) — Every year, on the third Sunday after Easter, Fréjus perpetuates a tradition deeply rooted in its history: the Bravade, a religious and popular festival in honor of its patron saint, François de Paule. This festival centers around an armed procession, where the men and children of the city don old uniforms and parade through the streets to the sound of fifes, drums, and numerous gunshots. For four days, the whole city is in celebration.
ASPARAGUS FESTIVAL in Mormoiron (Vaucluse) — Last Sunday in April. Tasting and sale of asparagus and many local products accompanied by Côtes du Ventoux wine. Flea market, crafts, games, and dancing.
STRAWBERRY FESTIVAL in Carpentras (Vaucluse) — End of April. Strawberry tasting and sale, along with many local products. Crafts, games.
Contact us to add an annual festival to Provence Web.
Monthly events
For each month of the year, discover our selection of Provençal events month by month that are not to be missed:
Things to do in April in Provence
With the start of the warm season, there are a thousand things to do in Provence in April. Here are some of our recommendations.
After writing this article, you sent us several questions about things to do in Provence in April. Here are our answers to your most frequently asked questions, for the benefit of all our readers.
What to do in Provence in April?
April in Provence is the perfect time to combine events in April with discovering the region's must-see places. Easter weekend sets the tone with the Arles feria, which brings together more than 300,000 people to enjoy bullfights, encierros, and bodegas in the arenas. In Aix-en-Provence, the Easter Festival offers opera concerts at the Grand Théâtre de Provence. Provençal markets resume their regular schedule throughout Vaucluse and Bouches-du-Rhône.
You'll find the first local strawberries and asparagus on the stalls at the beginning of the month. The strawberry festival brings several villages in the Var to life in April. It's also the ideal time to visit Aix and its Cours Mirabeau without the summer crowds. The Palais des Papes in Avignon remains a must-see for any stay in the region.
The Cassis calanques can be explored on foot or by kayak in ideal conditions this month. Hikes in the Verdon Gorge or the Luberon benefit from cooler temperatures and less crowded trails. What to do in Provence in April? Enjoy all of this without waiting in line.
What activities are there for children in April?
The spring break in Provence offers many options for family visits. The Arles Feria offers a day dedicated to children with workshops in the arena and an egg hunt for the youngest visitors. Tourist offices also organize themed creative workshops in many villages throughout the region. Children can take part in introductory sessions in pottery, painting, or Provençal arts.
To explore the beaches, the Var coastline is still accessible in April without the summer crowds. A horseback ride in the Camargue or Luberon can easily be arranged with local providers. As for museums, the Fragonard Museum in Grasse offers an introduction to the world of perfumes with creative workshops suitable for children. The tambourine festival, a traditional Provençal sport, brings certain villages to life in April with demonstrations open to all.
The region's amusement parks reopen their doors for the spring break. Book in advance to avoid disappointment during this busy period.
What places to visit in Provence?
Provence is full of places to explore in spring. The Château de l'Empéri in Salon-de-Provence is the oldest fortified castle still standing in Provence. It overlooks the Crau plain and houses a military museum classified as a historical monument. In the same town, the Maison de Nostradamus traces the life of the famous Renaissance physician in the heart of the historic center.
The Old Port of Marseille comes alive in spring with its fish markets and outdoor terraces. The Verdon Gorge, nicknamed the European Grand Canyon, offers exceptional panoramic views from the ridge roads. In April, you can avoid the summer traffic jams on these winding roads in the Alpes de Haute-Provence. The village of Roussillon and its flamboyant ochre colors in the Vaucluse are a must-see stop in the Luberon.
The Pont du Gard, a Roman aqueduct listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, is best visited in spring before the heat of summer sets in. At the foot of Mont Ventoux, the villages offer hiking and cycling trails on the slopes, which are still in bloom. Salon-de-Provence is worth spending half a day exploring its historic center and the castle gardens. Les Baux-de-Provence and the Carrières de Lumières remain open all year round with breathtaking immersive exhibitions.
What festivals are there in Provence in April?
The cultural calendar in Provence is particularly busy in April. The Festival du 9e Art in Aix-en-Provence celebrates comic books in freely accessible spaces. It is a free, family-friendly cultural event that attracts thousands of visitors every year. The Aix Biennale also opens its doors in April with more than 100 events celebrating Italy.
The Nice Carnival ends in early March, but Latin-Mexican festivals enliven several towns on the French Riviera throughout the spring. The Easter Feria in Arles remains the highlight of the month with its bullfights, bodegas, and the unique atmosphere of the Boulevard des Lices. The Monte Carlo Tennis Open at the Monte Carlo Country Club in Roquebrune-Cap-Martin offers the chance to watch the world's best players compete against the backdrop of the Mediterranean Sea.
The Provençal markets are also cultural events not to be missed. Spring funfairs and craft fairs round off a busy program. Check the calendar for each department so you don't miss a thing. Throughout the region, villages organize local events to welcome the first tourists of the season.
How can you enjoy spring in Provence?
Spring in Provence invites you to explore nature in all its forms. The mild temperatures allow you to enjoy the weather without the oppressive heat of July. You can go hiking in the Alpilles or the Luberon, and there are plenty of outdoor activities throughout the department.
The trails of the regional nature park are covered with wildflowers throughout the month.
April is the ideal time to visit the villages: the streets are quiet and the locals are more available. A bike ride in the Luberon or along the roads of Provence is accessible to all levels. Enjoying the sun on a terrace in Saint-Rémy-de-Provence or L'Isle-sur-la-Sorgue after a morning at the market is the very essence of a vacation in Provence. The roads are quiet and the views of the vineyards and olive groves are exceptional.
It's still early in April to discover the lavender, but the fields are starting to turn green in the Vaucluse. Take the opportunity to organize wine tastings in the estates of the Rhône Valley or the Pays d'Aix. Hiking in the calanques between Marseille and Cassis is a unique experience in spring. Enjoying the sun on these limestone cliffs plunging into a turquoise sea is an image that will stay with you for a long time.
