Most Beautiful Villages in Provence, France

Article written by Elisa - Travel Writer & Local in France
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If you’re planning a trip to Provence, you might be considering some of the most popular sights in the region, like Avignon, the lavender fields, or Marseille. But if you prefer to get away from the main tourist track, then the small towns and villages of Provence should be on your Provence bucket list.

For this article, we asked experienced travelers and friends to tell us about the prettiest villages in Provence, the best villages to visit in the Provence countryside (and a couple of small towns) where life is slow and peaceful and the days of rain are rare.
From idyllic hilltop hamlets to colorful coastal towns, these are the most beautiful villages in Provence, France.

Cassis embodies the charm of a typical Provençal village with its hilltop château and roman ruins, while also harnessing the glamour and seaside appeal of the Côte d’Azur, without the accompanying price tag. It also holds its own wine appellation, and you’ll find vineyards crisscrossing the hills above the village.

While you’re in town, be sure to take full advantage of the idyllic beaches, dine on local specialties in the bistros lining the port, and hop on a boat tour (or hike if you’re feeling more energetic) around the calanques. And once the day draws to a close, drive up the Route des Crêtes for the best sunset views in town – By Nadine from Le long weekend

2. Bormes-Les-Mimosas, Var

Bormes-les-Mimosas is a beautiful 12th-century medieval village nestled between the sea and the forest. Bormes is one of the most beautiful towns in Provence, a little paradise well known for its pretty architecture, lush vegetation, and (of course) the mimosas, which bloom from mid-January to March for the joy of locals and visitors.

In Bormes, it is a pleasure to get lost in the narrow streets of the medieval village, with its cuberts (small covered passages characteristic of Bormes-les-Mimosas) and its pretty Provençal squares with the scent of pines.

While you are in town, don’t miss its typical Provençal market at Place Saint Francois (Wednesdays from 8 am to 1 pm). If you love plants and flowers, the Parc Gonzalez Jardin Austral is the place to go, with more than 500 species from Australia and a beautiful collection of Mimosas.

In wintertime, take the Route du Mimosa, a 130km road that runs from Bormes-les-Mimosas to the perfume capital Grasse. During the warmest months, enjoy the town’s pretty beaches or a wine tasting in Bornes’ vineyards.

3. Grasse, Alpes-Maritimes

Grasse is known all over the world as the perfume capital. The perfume industry has prospered here already since the end of the 18th century.
To explore the perfume-making history is the most fun activity in Grasse. There are several perfume factories, of which the most famous one – Fragonard – features also a fascinating museum on the art and history of perfume making – Click here to book a perfume-making class and factory tour

Like many charming towns and villages in Provence, Grasse too has a wonderful Old Town full of narrow winding alleys. It’s right here where the movie Perfume: The Story of a Murderer is set.

Apart from discovering the fragrant world of perfumes, Grasse is incredibly pleasant to stroll around. Since the city has always attracted artists, you can find a number of galleries with both historical and modern works of art.

Grasse is easy to visit on a day trip from Nice, it’s just about 40 minutes by car – By Veronika from Travel Geekery

4. Saint Paul de Vence, Alpes-Maritimes

Saint Paul de Vence is one of the prettiest hilltop villages in Southern France. But, what makes this beautiful village in Provence special is that Saint Paul is one of the most preserved and oldest medieval towns in France.

Saint Paul de Vence has a full complete rampart wall surrounding the village that you can walk on to get stunning views of the countryside and the Mediterranean Sea. Inside the walls, you can find galleries, artist studios, boutiques, craft shops, and numerous restaurants. Just outside the walls, you can find the town’s cemetery that houses the final resting place of the artist, Marc Chagall.

Also, nearby, is the Maeght Foundation, an art museum with one of the finest modern and contemporary art collections in Southern France.

Saint Paul de Vence is located between Nice and Antibes. With the sunlight reflecting off the azure blue of the Mediterranean Sea, the vivid greens from the vineyards and olive trees sloping down into the valley, the yellow and ochre colors of the rampart walls, and the embedded art statues designed into the walls, there is so much to experience within the walls of Saint Paul de Vence – By Heather from RaulersonGirls Travel

5. Saint-Rémy-de-Provence, Bouches-du-Rhône

Saint-Rémy-de-Provence is a lovely French town you shouldn’t miss while visiting the region of Provence. Located some 15 kilometers from Arles, it’s a short ride from there on a regional bus.

One of the best towns in Provence, Saint-Rémy is filled with picturesque historic architecture, charming narrow streets, many art galleries, and small shops selling French food, lavender flowers, and cosmetics.

Located at the foothill of Alpilles Mountain, it’s surrounded by some fantastic nature, as well. You can rent a bicycle at some of the rental shops, and explore its nature. There are many marked paths you can ride on.

At the edge of the town, the beautiful archaeological site of Glanum is located. It’s great to visit it and learn about some of the first inhabitants of this area, from Roman times. Also, you’ll also have a fantastic view of Saint-Rémy-de-Provence and the nature surrounding it from there.

This Provençale town is also quite famous among art lovers because it’s where Vincent van Gogh spent a year of his life, and painted some of his very famous paintings, like ‘The Starry Night’. There are many places linked to Vincent van Gogh in Saint-Rémy de Provence. From the boards with reproductions of his paintings to the hospital in which he stayed, you’ll find all of them there – By Tea from Culture Tourist

6. Roussillon, Vaucluse

Roussillon is one of the most beautiful hilltop villages in the Luberon region. The village sits on top of cliffs of red and yellow clay, and the clay hills have been an important source of ochre pigment since the 18th century. 

French scientist Jean-Étienne Astier from Roussillon in the 1780s was fascinated by the color of the cliffs and invented a process to make the pigment on a large scale. The best quality was reserved for artists’ pigments, these mines are closed now, but the brilliance of the ochre hills and the village with its houses in vibrant shades of rust and ochre are still around.

After visiting the village, you can follow the Ochre Trail, a developed pathway through the ochre-colored hills of the former ochre mine. The longest trail takes one hour, while the shorter one takes about half the time – By Priya from Outside Suburbia

7. Moustiers-Sainte-Marie, Alpes-de-Haute-Provence

Moustiers-Sainte-Marie is a small village in the Luberon region. Close to the Gorges du Verdon, the village is considered one of the prettiest villages in Provence.

Nestled between two massive cliffs, Moustiers is known for its ceramics, which have been flourishing since the 17th century. Wander the old streets of Moustiers, and admire the ceramic pots and plates decorated in different styles. Stop by one of the cafés and soak in the quiet atmosphere of the charming village.

The village is also home to beautiful old churches. The chapel of Notre Dame de Beauvoir is by far the most iconic, as it stands high above the town. Walk the 262 steps to visit the 12th-century hapel, and enjoy incredible views of the area. The 12th-century Parish church stands right in the center of the village and features an impressive tall square tower. The 16th-century Sainte-Anne chapel is small but worth visiting.

Moustiers-Sainte-Marie serves as a convenient hub to visit the lavender fields of Valensole, the Lake of Sainte-Croix, and the Verdon Gorge, where you can kayak and hike along the river – By Patricia from Ze Wandering Frogs

8. Lourmarin, Vaucluse

Lourmarin is undoubtedly one of the most beautiful villages in Provence. Located about an hour from Avignon and Aix en Provence. Less touristy than some of the other villages in the Luberon, the village has retained a very authentic and lived-in feel.

There are many great things to do in Lourmarin. The most famous spot is the Château of Lourmarin, which was the very first Renaissance château built in Provence and is considered one of the best castles in Southern France. Open year-round, make sure you walk the grounds and take a tour of the inside!

After a visit to the Château, take a walk along in the center of town and stop by the cute boutiques and art galleries. You can also see the grave of the French author Albert Camus at the local cemetery.

If you are visiting on a Friday, make sure to stroll by the lively local market! Popular with locals and tourists alike, the market is the perfect spot to grab a souvenir or sample some tasty wines, honey, and cheeses – By Julie from Wandering Sunsets

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