Provence is like stepping into a fairytale. The opening scene from Beauty & The Beast to be specific, when Belle twirls around her "quiet village" bumping into locals and dreaming for more than "this provincial life". Whereas in reality, life in the small, provincial towns and villages of Provence feels like a little slice of heaven. Lazy, quiet mornings stopping off at the local boulangerie, browsing the markets for handicrafts, strolling through lavender fields, and taking things easy.
However planning how to spend your time in Provence can be a daunting task. There are just so many picturesque villages in the region, all with their own particular charms. To help you plan, I've put together a guide to the most beautiful villages in Provence, featuring some of my favourite places we visited, as well as practical tips and advice to get the most out of your Provence adventures.
Provence 101
- Currency in Provence: Provence is situated in France, therefore uses the Euro. Most places accept card, but I'd recommend keeping some small change on hand for emergencies.
- Where is Provence: Provence is in the South of France, specifically the Luberon region.
- How to get to Provence: The region is serviced by three main airports: Nice, Marseilles, and Nimes. Depending on where you plan on basing yourself in Provence, all three are practical to fly into.
- Getting Around Provence: I'd highly recommend hiring a car to travel around Provence. A lot of the villages are very small so public transport is limited. We hired a car from Nimes airport, and returned it in Nice.
- When to visit Provence: Provence is arguably at it's best in the summer and shoulder months, when the temperatures are warmest. Visit in July to time your visit with lavender season when the fields will be in full bloom - however keep in mind it will likely be at it's busiest.
- What to pack for Provence: This will obviously depend on the time of year, but in the warmer months loose garments, and a shawl for evenings will do you nicely. There are a lot of cobblestoned streets, so comfortable walking shoes are a month. Pack a swimsuit if you plan on visiting Verdon Gorge or heading to the Côte d'Azur. And a straw or wicker basket bag is a must for the French aesthetic!
The 10 Most Beautiful Villages in Provence
01. Roussillon
One of the very prettiest villages in the Luberon region is Roussillon. It stands out due to the unique ochre shades of the buildings, taken from the nearby ochre quarry overlooking the town. The quarry itself is no longer in use, but is open to be explored on the "ochre trail". The town has drawn many artists over the years, and there are a number of galleries to be explored.
Roussillon is one of the more popular towns in Provence, so I'd recommend visiting early or late in the day in high season to avoid the worst of the crowds. Visit on a Thursday to time your trip with the local market, where you can pick up handcrafted goods such as soaps and pottery.
02. Gordes
When it comes to the most beautiful villages in Provence, Gordes is arguably the poster child. In particular, it's known for the breathtaking view of the from the viewpoint just outside the town, from which you can really admire the quaint houses perched atop the hill. I'd recommend visiting at sunrise or sunset to see it at its most beautiful - the former is obviously a lot quieter, and you'll likely have it to yourself!
Similarly to Roussillon, Gordes is known as a bit of an artistic enclave, having hosted famous names such as André Lhote and Marc Chagall. It's also one of the more stylish towns - luxury French hoteliers Airelles have an outpost here, as does the iconic French cafe Laduree. However you don't need to spend an arm and a leg to enjoy the rustic streets and stunning views that make the town so famous.
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03. Oppède-la-Vieux
Tiny Oppède-la-Vieux (which translates to old Oppède, not to be confused with the newer town by the same name) was once a ghost town, but has slowly come back to life over the years. Which is a good thing for us tourists, as it's incredibly picturesque. There's very little here, barring a couple of cafes, a church, and ruined castle. But like many of the Provence towns on this list, the place itself is the draw, with cosy crumbling streets and charming cottages aplenty. Parking is just outside town, and it's roughly 5-10 minutes walk up. It can be a bit of a slog in the midday heat, so I'd keep this in mind when planning when to visit!
Top tip: There's a lovely looking spot for a meal in the main square called Le Petit Cafe des Jeanne (pictured), however try to book in advance. We were turned away despite a number of seemingly empty tables, which is annoying but not uncommon in France as they run seatings at a more leisurely pace. Let me know how it is!
04. Fontaine-de-Vaucluse
When researching where to visit in Provence, a beautiful yellow-hued restaurant (pictured) kept popping up. For me it summed up quintessential Provence vibes, with those classic shutters, and traditional lamppost perched outside. It can be found in the small town of Fontaine-de-Vaucluse, conveniently only a short drive from the more famous Gordes.
Fountain-de-Vaucluse is one of a number of Provence villages on water, with a number of riverside restaurants and shops looking out over beautiful views. It's also a great destination for water spots, with nearby kayak and canoe rental outfitters making it a fun day out. I did this on my last trip to Provence with a group of friends, and highly recommend!
05. Lacoste
Do I even need to bother with words, when Lacoste looks this beautiful? One of my favourites (although I say that about them all!), pretty little Lacoste is one of the smaller villages on this list, but that makes it no less worthy of a visit. This beautiful town sits high on a hilltop overlooking the valley below. It’s a maze of cobblestoned streets (would not recommend heels shoes, fyi, learned that the hard way), aesthetic boutiques, and castle ruins. The streets were vastly empty, but some of the loveliest in the region. It’s also just ten minutes from another quintissential Provence town, Bonnieux, so can easily be combined.
Top tip: If you're getting bored of French cuisine, La Sade is a great spot for pizza and general Italian fare.
06. Saignon
Okay I just said Lacoste is one of my favourites, but if I absolutely had to pick, Saignon would be my very favourite. All the villages are charming, but Saignon truly felt like stepping into a fairytale. The main square houses this beautiful fountain, overlooked by classic pink and blue shuttered buildings. I was definitely having my Belle moment!
It's also one of the less busy towns, as it's fairly small and doesn't have masses of sights. Grab a seat at the cafe on the square, and tuck into ice cream (or a cocktail if you're so inclined!), and just watch the world go by. We visited at 8am and grabbed croissants and coffee from the local boulangerie for breakfast by the fountain, which was also so lovely.
07. St-Remy-de-Provence
St-Remy-de-Provence was our first stop off in Provence, for a bite to eat on route from Nimes airport. It's one of the larger towns in the region, but what it lacks in cosy charm, it makes up for with restaurants, cafes, and shops aplenty. It's also known for it's association with Vincent van Gogh, serving as inspiration for a number of his works. In particular, you can visit Saint-Paul de Mausole, the sanitarium from which he was inspired to paint Starry Night.
After a wander, we stumbled across Songes (pictured), a gorgeous alfresco dining spot in a secret garden. It serves up modern French and Turkish flavours, and is family friendly if you're looking to take little ones. I'd recommend booking in advance, as its popular!
Top Tip: If you're looking for luxury accommodation, Château Des Alpilles (pictured) in St-Remy-de-Provence is one of the most beautiful hotels in the region. We didn't stay here ourselves sadly but did take a peek around - next time for sure!
08. Loumarin
Like St-Remy-de-Provence, lively Loumarin is one of the bigger towns in the region. I'd recommend heading here for lunch or dinner, as there are a number of cafes, restaurants and bars that line the quaint streets. It's also home to a number of hotels, so could make a good base for your Provence adventures. And if you're looking to shop, it's a great spot for it, with many charming boutiques and independent brands selling clothing and local goods. But it's not just shops and restaurants. Head off the main street to discover quiet backroads filled with flowers, and cosy corners where locals sit outside their homes drinking wine and playing cards. It's a lovely mix of authentic Provence charm and tourist-facing amenities.
Top Tip: If you're looking for a night "out", Loumarin is one of the buzzier Provence towns, with a number of wine and cocktail bars. It won't be a rager (I somehow doubt you came to Provence to party!), but they're lovely spots for a couple of evening drinks.
09. Moustiers-Saint-Marie
Moustiers-Sainte-Marie is easily one of the most beautiful villages in Provence, if not all of France. Settled on the water with waterfalls flowing through the middle of town, storybook-worthy shops and restaurants sit against a dramatic mountain backdrop. It's also notable for being a mere ten minute drive from the Verdon Gorge (pictured), which locals and tourists alike flock to in summer for canoeing and boating. It's definitely one of the more popular towns and was absolutely rammed in the middle of the day when I visited, so I'd consider going earlier or later in the day to avoid the crowds.
10. L'Isle-sur-la-Sorgue
Another waterfront town, L'Isle-sur-la-Sorgue is one of the more lively spots on this list. Waterways snake through the streets, which are lined with restaurants and cafes aplenty. It's also known for antique shopping and markets, a beautiful baroque church, and mansions that have been converted into art galleries, such as Maison René Char. Visit on a Sunday when the antiques market comes to town, to enjoy L'Isle-sur-la-Sorgue in full swing.
I hope this guide to the most beautiful villages in Provence has been helpful - please do let me know if you have any questions in the comments! I've also popped all my suggestions in the map below, as well as restaurant recommendations.
Map of Provence Villages
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