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The picturesque region of Provence has so much to offer, you cannot see it all in a few days. Below are the 3 most beautiful towns in Provence, France, including how to get to them, and things to do.
This dreamy region in the south of France is a must-stop for any visitor. The sleepy villages here make for a relaxing vacation, so stop here for a few days to get a break from the hectic city life. Most towns in Provence sit at the top of a mountain, giving you a vast view of the surrounding nature to enjoy.
The best time to visit Provence is between spring and autumn. Spring is still early in the season so it’s perfect for if you want it to be quiet and relaxed. On the other hand, it can still be a bit cold and rainy, so keep this in mind when booking your trip. Summer is of course a great time to visit, however, it can get quite hot and busy with everyone on holiday. If you love autumn colors, October is the perfect time to witness the changing of colors and enjoy autumn weather to the fullest. We visited at the end of April and it was perfect, although a little rainy.
There are so many villages in Provence, it’s hard to keep track of them. Although they are all charming, most people don’t have more than 2-3 days to spend here. Therefore, I will focus only on the 3 most beautiful towns in Provence, which are all extremely unique. This way, you will be able to see the best of what Provence offers, even in a short time.
This post is all about the 3 most beautiful towns in Provence, France.
How to Get Around in Provence:
The easiest way, and pretty much the only way, to get around here is by car. We rented our car through SunnyCars which was the best thing we could do. Not only do they have the cheapest prices, but they also have the best insurance coverage. The price given on the website will be the only price you pay, and you will also get your deposit back. I highly recommend booking with them (not sponsored) because the windy roads here are no joke. Not only are they very narrow at times, but many of the locals here drive very fast considering the terrain, so this way you can be completely sure you are covered.
In addition, I recommend renting a car in Marseille after spending some time there. Then stop to explore Aix-en-Provence for a few hours, before continuing into the heart of the Provence region. If you need some convincing as to why you should visit Marseille, check out the post below.
Read: 5 Amazing Hikes in the Calanques
The 3 Most Beautiful Towns In Provence
1. Gordes
This was the first town we visited and it blew my mind. It is absolutely stunning and the views from here are breathtaking. The first stop in Gordes should definitely be the viewpoint over the old city. You can find the exact point here.
There is a car park right next to the viewpoint, and you are only allowed to stay here for 5 minutes. If it takes a little longer to capture the beautiful view, don’t stress, but don’t leave your car here and go far. Stop here on your way into town and then continue to a nearby parking lot afterward.
From here, get into your car and continue further into town. We parked in this parking lot just before the central area of the town. This way you can avoid driving through the narrow streets with your rental. It costs 4€ for 4 hours for private cars. Once parked, get into Gordes and explore the town.
I don’t recommend making specific plans here, as every street here is beautiful and you should simply walk around to explore it all. In addition, if you happen to visit on a rainy day, they may close all of the shops and restaurants early. Due to this, we did not spend a huge amount of time here, as we could not sit anywhere.
Although this, it was absolutely beautiful walking around here. There are many different side streets that have unique characteristics to them, so make sure to walk around the whole town. If you are looking for a luxurious vacation, there are some very nice boutique hotels here you can consider staying at. Otherwise, I recommend finding an Airbnb in the village or one nearby.
Pro Tip:
If you happen to visit Provence during the Summer (June – September) then you will be visiting during the lavender season. The lavender is in full bloom here during these months, although July is arguably the best time to see it. There is a monastery called “Abbaye Notre-Dame de Sénanque” right by Gordes which is one of the best places to see the lavender. In addition, it is a beautiful white monastery that is also worth a visit all year round!
2. Rousillon
As you will be able to see, these towns each have a theme. While Gordes is the classical white stone full of greenery on the walls, Rousillon is all red. This is because it lies on top of a large ochre mountain.
Ochre is a natural clay used as a pigment for artists to paint with, as house paint, and for textile uses. Thanks to this, Rousillon truly stands out next to all the other villages, and makes for a unique visit!
We found a lot of art galleries here, with beautiful paintings by local artists that I highly recommend checking out. Like Gordes, this town isn’t very big, so simply walk around here and make sure to check out all of the small alleyways.
There is something very unique to Rousillon that you must do when you visit called the “Le Sentier des Ocres”. As I mentioned, Rousillon is located on top of a big ochre canyon, which is a former mine that has now become a trail for visitors. This trail is usually open daily from around 10 – 17 pm, but opening times may change according to the season. Entrance costs around 2.5€ and you can check updated opening hours here.
There are two routes which you can take, a shorter 30-minute walk and a longer 60-minute walk. Regardless of the one you choose, the walk is very relaxed and there are some benches spread out so that you can enjoy the view. We found that the long walk was shorted than stated, so plan for around 60 minutes with taking photos, etc. This walk is extremely unique and not one you would expect to find in France, so don’t miss it!
3. Moustiers Sainte-Marie
This last village in my 3 most beautiful towns in Provence list is just as beautiful as the others, and may even be my favorite one. It will take around 1.5 hours to reach this village from the area of Gordes and Rousillon. Although the drive is a little long, you will be able to enjoy the quintessential Provence views along the way. If this isn’t enough to convince you, then the largest canyon in Europe – Gorges du Verdon is just a 10-minute drive from here. If you’re interested in visiting the beautiful Gorge for a day by the water, you can read about it more in another post.
Read: Gorges du Verdon and Moustiers Sainte-Marie
Moustiers Sainte-Marie is a charming little village lying at the bottom of huge cliffs, making it a very unique village in Provence. I recommend making a whole day trip out of coming here, as you won’t want to miss out on visiting Gorges du Verdon!
Things to Do Here:
While here, make sure to go up to Chapelle Notre-Dame-de-Beauvoir. It’s a small but beautiful church nestled into the rocks and requires visitors to climb 262 stairs. If you don’t want to do it for the church itself, then there is also a terrace overlooking the town. Therefore, I recommend everyone to go up for incredible views over the village and Provence.
Afterward, reward yourself with a cold drink on the main street overlooking the dramatic cliffs in the background. Walk around the whole town, and look out for small waterfalls that you can find on the main canal. If you’re feeling brave, you can even try some local lavender ice cream!
Overall, there are so many beautiful towns in Provence that it is really difficult to pick just 3. However, when you visit many, they start to look quite similar, and thus the charm can start to disappear. Therefore, I recommend visiting these three towns, as they each have very unique characteristics. I recommend making the area of Gordes and Rousillon your base, as there are many small villages close by you can visit if you have more time. We ended up staying in Gargas, and it was great to be able to visit another small village in the area.
Did I miss a village you think should be included in the most beautiful towns in Provence? Let me know below!
