Towns and villages
In the Luberon, the Verdon, the Var, the Alpilles, the Drôme Provençale, the Camargue, or the Côte d'Azur ... perched villages, cultural and artistic towns: by the sea with creeks, coves and fishing ports, in the middle of lavender or olive fields or isolated in the middle of the garrigue, a paradise of kermes oaks.
The list of beautiful villages in the region is endless but we have put together a small selection of places that have really stood out to us.
Peyrolles-en-Provence
While visiting the village, you will discover that Peyrolles is lucky enough to possess a beautiful chateau which today houses the town-hall: the Chateau du Roi Rene.
You can also discover the natural and historic heritage of the commune thanks to the "sentier de decouverte du Loubatas."
Aix-en-Provence
The old part of Aix-en-Provence is mostly pedestrianised and is undergoing huge town improvements – part of which have uncovered Roman remains – making it difficult to navigate the city with a car but perfect for exploring the lanes on foot.
The architecture is sumptuous, the buildings pristine, and the history overflowing – but the culture is the icing on the cake.
Baux de Provence
The village of Baux de Provence is stretched out along a hillside, with a valley and steep rock walls on one side and a long high ridge with Chateau fortifications on the other side. As you drive up to Baux de Provence you’ll be treated to gorgeous views of the countryside and never ending vineyards.
Don’t miss a visit to the world famous Carrières de Lumières, a gallery in a former quarry with multi media art shows of images set to music. Just make sure to book ahead!
St Remy de Provence
The town is laid out in a circle and surrounded by tall plane trees. Shady squares and pedestrianised streets make this a great place to relax and enjoy a glass of local wine and watch the locals going about their day.
Its beautiful heritage is crowned by the archaeological site of Glanum and the ancient monuments, such as the Triumphal Arch and the Jules Mausoleum, exceptional legacies of Late Antiquity.
Avignon
Overlooking the Rhone River on the western edge of Provence is the brilliant city of Avignon, France. Here, cobblestone lanes lined with towering plane trees swirl within the city’s medieval walls. Outdoor cafes sprawl into the squares where visitors and locals enjoy the sun and a glass of France’s best wine. While its long heritage plays a critical role in its success, it is a very modern city with all the beauty, spirit, and French-ness that Provence has to offer.
Isle sur la Sorgue
Bubbling up from the nearby chasm of Fontaine-de-Vaucluse, the River Sorgue's cool emerald green waters meander through L'Isle-sur-la-Sorgue. The mossy impellers, vestiges of the textile industry that brought prosperity to the city, still line the canals.
L'Isle sur la Sorgue is today internationally renowned for the large number of antique dealers spread over the city (open especially on weekends) and for the numerous art and painting galleries.
Gordes
An ancient village perched high on a cliff, 340 metres above the valley floor, Gordes overlooks the luscious scenes of the Luberon.
Its spectacular views and lighting attracted artists in the 50s and 60s, giving Gordes an artsy reputation which still exists today. It also boasts a legendary market, fantastic restaurants and great places to stay.
Lacoste
Lacoste is a small jewel, an open-air museum. The Middle Ages and the Renaissance mix in the beautiful old houses, the arched lintels, picturesque streets and vaulted passageways.
You can also admire the 12th century Saint-Trophime parish church, the belfry from 1793 with a wrought-iron campanile, the old windmill in the village and the fountain and washhouse.
Bonnieux
Bonnieux is one of the most impressive Luberon villages, in size and amenities, with plenty of restaurants and cafes to choose from, a really good market on Friday morning, and even a bakery museum.
Just North of Bonnieux, the majestic cedar forest, planted in 1861 thanks to seeds from the Algerian Middle Atlas, offers hikers a wonderful walking route at the foot of its giants in Luberon.
Roussillon
It's hard to do justice to the unique splendor of Roussillon. You can say that there are 17 shades of ochre daubed across the houses of the village, drawn from the palette of the old ochre quarry next door. But that doesn't do justice to the flamboyant, technicolor glory of Roussillon: the reds, yellows, oranges and pinks that merge one into the other as you wander around the spiralling streets. Or the stunning contrast of the green of the pine trees or the blue sky against the red cliffs.
Lourmarin
The streets of Lourmarin meander round, past fountains and tight-packed houses, and you get the impression that they are circling around the impressive belfry (Castelas) at the highest point of the village. The belfry is built on the vestiges of the medieval moated castle that once defined Lourmarin.
Lourmarin has been an important staging post on the Marseille-Apt route since the XIth century. It is in the cleft that runs right through the Luberon mountain range, separating the Grand Luberon from the Petit Luberon.
Arles
City of Art and History, Arles is famous for its ancient and Romanesque remains. The city indeed boasts several monuments inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List: Its Roman amphitheater (Les Arènes); its ancient theatre; the Alyscamps (an alley lined by sarcophaguses) just to name a few.
Additionally, numerous places in the city, such as the garden of the hospital where Van Gogh stayed when he cut off his ear were immortalized in his famous paintings during his stay in Arles.
Cassis
Feast on the fruits of the sea, sip on the celebrated Cassis wines and cruise the calanques – this is a land that has been luring visitors for centuries with its unique charms.
With unmatched natural beauty and bountiful opportunities for exploration, Cassis truly shines as a day trip or weekend getaway destination.
Cannes
Cannes, a resort town on the French Riviera, is famed for its international film festival. Its Boulevard de la Croisette, curving along the coast, is lined with sandy beaches, upmarket boutiques and palatial hotels.
It is also a perfect base from which to explore everything the Cote d’Azur has to offer.
Grasse
The wonderfully pretty French town of Grasse, just north of Cannes and an easy drive from Nice, is an incredibly popular day-trip destination for those holidaying in the French Riviera region.
Unofficially regarded as the perfume capital of the world and the birthplace of many a fragrance, Grasse offers an opportunity for visitors to challenge and develop one of the most under-rated of our senses and to, quite literally, wake up and smell the roses.
Antibes
The gorgeous, cobbled streets of Antibes old town are festooned with flowers and throng with local markets, cafés, bistros, bars and art galleries. Impressive 16th-century ramparts enclose the labyrinthine old town and its superyacht-bedecked Port Vauban is one of the largest marinas in Europe. Spend any time here and you'll see Antibes has as much culture and history to offer as it does famous guests and stories.
St Paul de Vence
Saint Paul de Vence is a ‘village perché,’ which means perched village and is typical of the French countryside. As its name would suggest, the perched village is typically nested on the side of a hillside and were often fortified, constructed just below a chateau. The villages also usually feature a lavoir (public wash basin), small chapel or church, and numerous narrow streets.
Nice
The mere mention of Nice is enough to evoke a sense of sun-soaked glamour and artistic brilliance. This UNESCO-listed Mediterranean marvel is the jewel in the French Riviera’s crown, as tourists as far back as the 1700s knew. Though people flock to the city for balmy days from about May to September, it’s a year-round destination with loads of things to do. That’s when you’re not indulging in leisurely people-watching from the iconic blue chairs on the promenade.
Villefranche-sur-Mer
The colorful town of Villefranche-sur-Mer is often referred to as the pearl of the French Riviera. And it’s not hard to see why! With its beautiful colored houses, terracotta rooftops and crystal clear turquoise water, Villefranche-sur-Mer truly is a postcard perfect place.
It may not be the biggest town but it is the perfect one to stay a couple of nights and explore other places close by.
St-Jean-Cap-Ferrat
Saint-Jean-Cap-Ferrat is a tiny, leafy, Mediterranean peninsula nestled between Nice and Monaco. The once modest fishing village is known today as an enclave for billionaires and a lovely stop for tourists visiting the French Riviera.
Yachts populate the marina, and mansions dot the hillside. But the village is far from flashy. In fact, it retains much of its olden-day charm.
Èze
A sought-after location, away from the bulk of the summer crowds and offering unusual privacy, Èze attractions include appealingly authentic accommodation, a charming beach, a castle and exotic garden, an enticing cemetery, an ancient chapel, pretty winding streets and a heart-stopping view.