Do you dream of working with a view of the vineyards or at an outdoor café instead of staring at the same four walls?
Provence checks all the boxes for remote work: plenty of light, a relaxed lifestyle, reliable internet, and a coworking scene that has grown significantly in recent years. You’ll find fully equipped professional spaces in Aix, Avignon, or Marseille; cafes with Wi-Fi in almost every village; and country houses available for weekly rent for those who want to combine vacation with productivity. There’s one issue to address before you even choose your spot: the security of your connection.
A simple habit to adopt before connecting anywhere
Working from a café, a coworking space, or a vacation rental often means connecting to public Wi-Fi. It’s convenient, but it’s never completely secure. An open network in a café or shared space can expose your work data to prying eyes.
The first step before you leave is to install a VPN on your computer and phone. This tool encrypts your connection and protects your data, even on an unsecured public Wi-Fi network. It’s particularly useful if you’re remotely accessing sensitive work tools: corporate email, internal servers, billing platforms, or customer management systems.
For Americans and Brits working remotely from Provence, this point deserves special attention. Some professional or personal services remain restricted based on location, and a VPN also allows you to bypass this type of geographic blocking. Set it up before you leave, test it once you’re there, and you won’t have to think about it for the rest of your stay.
Once this security foundation is in place, you can focus on what matters most: finding the right place to work.
Coworking spaces: the most reliable solution
If your work requires a stable internet connection and a professional environment, coworking remains the safest option in Provence. The region’s major cities have several such spaces, offering hourly, daily, or monthly plans. Expat entrepreneurs love working in coworking spaces.
In Aix-en-Provence, several locations stand out. La Gare Coworking is housed in the city center’s former train station—which has been completely renovated—just a stone’s throw from the Cours Mirabeau. Aix Coworking, located in the Parc d’Ariane, offers hourly office space with fiber-optic internet and a soundproof phone booth for your confidential calls. If you prefer the tranquility of the Aix countryside to the city center, La Bastide Ikigaï welcomes you to a lush, green setting just a few minutes from the city, complete with a dedicated fiber-optic network.
Avignon isn’t left out either. L’Étable Cowork has several locations there, including one in the city center very close to the train station. La Passerelle, the first coworking space to open in the City of the Popes, welcomes freelancers in a bright setting that’s accessible to people with limited mobility. L’Appartement, located within the city walls, charms with its four-meter-high ceilings and natural light.
In Marseille, the selection is even broader, driven by the city’s economic dynamism. Startway Coworking has set up shop in the former Hôtel des Postes Colbert, right in the city center. Wellio, in the Joliette neighborhood, focuses on private offices and event spaces. Marseille Coworking Space, in the 14th arrondissement, rounds out this offering with private offices and shared spaces.
Generally, expect to pay between 20 and 30 euros per day for pay-as-you-go options, with discounted rates if you sign up for a subscription. Most of these spaces also offer a meeting room, a fully equipped kitchen, and an active community for those who want to break out of the isolation of remote work.
Cafés with Wi-Fi: Work Without the Pressure
Not every day calls for the same level of focus. Some mornings, a café is more than enough to make progress on your projects, reply to emails, or prepare for a video conference.
Provence has no shortage of pleasant outdoor patios where you can set up your laptop. In major cities like Aix, Avignon, or Marseille, most downtown cafés offer free Wi-Fi to their customers. Establishments located near bustling squares or student neighborhoods are often the best equipped and most accustomed to hosting remote workers for several hours.
In smaller villages, the connection can be more unreliable. Before settling in for the day, simply ask the owner if the Wi-Fi is working well at that time. Many Provençal cafés are happy to accommodate you, provided you order regularly and are considerate about how long you occupy a table, especially during peak hours.
The advantage of a café is total freedom. You can change locations every day as you please, without a reservation or subscription. The downside is that the connection is sometimes shared with other customers, so it can be slower during peak hours. For tasks that require a stable connection—such as a large file transfer or an important video conference—it’s best to save those times for a coworking space or your place of lodging.
Also, remember to bring a power bank. Power outlets aren’t always available near every table, especially on the terrace.
A weekly rental of a country house, for quiet work between sightseeing trips
For a longer stay, renting a country house by the week completely changes your work rhythm. You set up your office in the morning, hold your video conference meetings, and then head out to explore a Provençal village in the afternoon, once the day’s work is done.
This setup is particularly well-suited for remote workers from the United States or the United Kingdom, who often settle in for several weeks to combine remote work with exploring the region. A country house offers space, quiet, and usually a beautiful terrace or garden—a real asset for getting a change of scenery between calls.
Before booking, always check the quality of the internet connection advertised by the owner. Some isolated mas in the Provençal countryside—particularly in the Luberon or the Var hinterland—still have limited 4G or fiber coverage. Don’t hesitate to ask for the exact speed and to check reviews from previous guests on this specific point.
A time difference with the United States or the United Kingdom can also influence your choice of accommodations. If your business meetings take place early in the morning or late at night according to your home time zone, opt for a farmhouse with a separate, enclosed workspace—away from the bedrooms—so as not to disturb the rest of the household.
Some owners now equip their properties with a dedicated office area, complete with a comfortable chair and a large desk. This is a feature to look for in listings, just like a pool or a view.
Things to Know Before Heading to Provence to Work
There are a few practical points worth noting before you begin your remote work stay in the region.
Internet coverage is generally good along the coast and in major cities. It becomes more spotty in some hilltop villages in the Luberon, the Alpilles, or the Nice hinterland. If your work depends on a stable connection, check in advance for the available speed at the exact address of your accommodation.
Always bring a power adapter if you’re coming from the United States or the United Kingdom, as well as a power strip. Cafés and coworking spaces in Provence generally have plenty of outlets, but they’re sometimes located far from the best seating areas.
Finally, consider varying your workspaces during your stay. Alternating between a country house, a café terrace, and a day at a coworking space helps you maintain a good rhythm while fully enjoying what Provence has to offer away from your screens.
