A road trip through Provence with the new all-electric Macan
Explore hotels and restaurants, markets and thrilling drives in the south of France
Porsche Macan Electric driving up driveway to hotel in Provence
With plenty of charging points across Provence, the new Macan Electric is the perfect partner for The Recharge Guide by Porsche and MICHELIN
The Provence region of southern France has long attracted those looking to escape amid its beauty and tranquility – a slice of paradise where you can recharge yourself.Its rolling lavender fields, charming villages and scenic routes offer the perfect escape from modern life. A destination where you can take things in your own time and grab the opportunity to refocus. That’s why Porsche has joined together with MICHELIN to craft the perfect road trip through Provence.Whether relaxing, eating or driving, it’s an itinerary designed to enrich all of your senses in this most captivating of landscapes.Five relaxing destinations in Provence• Musée de la Lavande, LuberonA journey through historyThe Musée de la Lavande – The Lavender Museum – in Luberon is a place where Provence’s essence is distilled into unforgettable experiences. Here you can get lost in a journey from stories about ancient traditions surrounding the iconic lavender flower to insight about how its cultivated today, as well as learning about its healing abilities and the science behind its intoxicating aroma.You can take a guided tour, join a lavender distillery workshop or just browse through the museum gardens. Tip: before hitting the road again, make sure you treat yourself to some soothing essential oils and delicious lavender ice cream.• Capelongue, BonnieuxTranquility – French-styleIn the peaceful hilltop village of Bonnieux, about an hour’s drive north of Aix-en-Provence, you’ll find Capelongue, a hotel that mixes minimalist elegance with a touch of French countryside luxury.It’s a glorious place to recharge. Capelongue’s beautiful spa features a Roman bath, cryogenic bath and a hammam. They’re the perfect place to relax after a massage or a yoga class – held amid olive trees in the hotel grounds – that help get you into a zen state of mind. Or perhaps you’d prefer a game of pétanque with an aperitif in your hand – the ultimate French way of slowing down.As a MICHELIN Guide Key hotel, great food is a given, before we even mention its exquisite suites for its fortunate overnight guests.
Porsche Macan 4 Electric parked outside traditional Provençal stone building
With plenty of charging points spread across the region, the Porsche Macan 4 Electric proved the perfect companion on a tour of Provence Photo: Porsche
• Les Andéols, Saint-Saturnin-les-Apt Replenish in luxuryThere’s luxurious accommodation… and then there’s Les Andéols. This impeccable jewel of a hotel is recognised by MICHELIN as a special stay. Each of its 11 houses, with their focus on classic design, come with the scent of lavender wafting in on the mistral breeze. It’s a place where art and nature are wedded, where the chance to completely relax, whether in its spa, restaurant or pool, is never more than a moment away.• Hotel Le Mas les Eydins, Bonnieux Peaceful, luxurious retreatOverlooked by the looming presence of the iconic Mont Ventoux, Le Mas les Eydins features a charming square courtyard adorned with lavender, boxwood, and rosemary. The rooms offer all the essentials for a peaceful retreat – tranquility, ample space, premium linens and elegant decor. You cannot fail to relax here.• La Bastide de Moustiers, Moustiers-Sainte-MarieGreen oasis amid lavender fieldsBefore becoming a hotel and restaurant, the typically Provençal building which now houses La Bastide de Moustiers was owned by a master potter – a craft long associated with relaxation and attention to detail. The restaurant here doesn’t just have a MICHELIN star – it’s a green MICHELIN star for its focus on using local, organically-grown ingredients. The whole experience is one of a very modern and light approach to classic French cuisine with seasonal produce gathered from its own garden.Four foodie destinations in Provence• Farmers market, L’Isle-sur-la-SorgueAs fresh as it getsStarting your day with a stroll at the farmers market in L’Isle-sur-la-Sorgue is a celebration for all of your senses. Here you can grab a petit-déjeuner of buttery croissants or a decadent pain au chocolat, a glass of freshly pressed orange juice and a coffee. After that, just wander and take in the stalls filled with local produce – jars of honey, vegetables, aromatic cheese and flowers of all colours – held on the banks of the gently meandering La Sorgue river.• Chez Èric, MontfuronThe true taste of ProvenceLunch at the MICHELIN Guide bistro, Chez Èric in Montfuron, is a real treat. A place that charms you with a laidback approach to hearty French dishes with a Provençal flavour. Overlooking a charming little village square, it’s a perfect yet unprepossessing spot.
Woman sat at outside dining table being served by chef
Professional kitesurfer and Porsche athlete, Rita Arnaus, enjoys a meal at Hotel Le Mas les Eydins in Bonnieux, attended by owner and chef, Christophe Bacquié Photo: Porsche
• Pâtisserie Guillaume Rouget, Velleron A sweet centre Creating memorable desserts and celebrating the art of pâtisserie is something that the French take very seriously. In the town of Velleron you’ll find Pâtisserie Guillaume Rouget – a place to indulge in a luscious tarte au citron, a merengue or an éclair (or two). There are great pâtisseries to be found throughout Provence – if you’re in Marseille make sure you pop into Oh Faon! or, when in Aix-en-Provence, try Pâtisserie Victoire.• La Bastide Bourelly, CalasStaying the courseFood in France is, of course, a very serious business, with meals often consisting of multiple courses. For an authentic experience with a twist, head to the MICHELIN-starred restaurant of La Bastide Bourelly in the village of Calas, a few kilometres south west of Aix-en-Provence. Offering a modern Provençal take on French Fine Dining, dine outside on the terrace under the shade of its elegant plane trees or inside this contemporary yet cosy former farmhouse.Three driving destinations in Provence• Gordes A famed Provençal sentinelThere’s plenty of pleasure to be had in Provence, as we’ve discovered – and that includes the noble pursuit of driving pleasure. This is a region where you’re surrounded by magnificent, eye-popping landscapes and diverse terrain. Fitted with custom MICHELIN tyres developed for the Porsche Macan Electric means that you’re safe in the knowledge that no matter the terrain, these are tyres that can take you anywhere.One of the best drives in Provence – wherever you start from – is to the panoramic fortified hill village of Gordes, whose charms once attracted the likes of fêted French artist Marc Chagall. Built on a hillside with views across the region, it’s served by the winding D2 and D15 roads. Once you arrive, there’s plenty to keep you occupied, not least a stroll up to the magnificent Château de Gordes, which has stood at the summit for nearly a thousand years.
Porsche Macan 4 outside Musée de la Lavandre, Cabrières-d'Avignon, France
Provence is known for its lavender fields which cast a blanket of colour across the region. Follow the Routes de la Lavande and you’ll be able to experience natural beauty in all its splendour Photo: Porsche
• Daluis GorgeGorge yourself on immersive mountain roads With its proximity to the Alps, Provence is not short of amazing rock formations and gorges. The Daluis Gorge is one of the most striking in the Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur region, and a place famed for its hiking. Stunning, sweeping, circuitous roads lead you up to the gorge. From the south you drive along the banks of the Var river on the D902 and D2202 roads, past the Le Pont sur le Var that spans the river. A memorable drive is guaranteed.• Routes de la LavandeDiscover the pick of purple-hued ProvenceThe Routes de la Lavande is a collection of around 1000km-worth of scenic driving routes and trails that guide you through the pick of Provence’s lavender-filled landscapes. Discover picturesque villages and fields in purple bloom from the beginning of spring through until August. Why not start at Chamaloc and pass by Séderon before heading to Valensole and Banon to get fully attuned to this intoxicating region and its ever-colourful backdrop.And, with Porsche Destination Chargers dotted across the Provence region, you can enjoy the region’s beauty with peace of mind, knowing that your electric Porsche is fully charged and ready for the journey – just like you.Check the Porsche Destination Charging Map for more details and plan your charging stops
Consumption and emission information Macan 4 Electric (WLTP): Electric energy consumption combined: 21.1 – 17.9 kWh/100 km; CO₂ emissions combined: 0 g/km; CO₂ class: A.
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