Provence is undoubtedly one of the most dreamy regions of France. It is located in the South of France, very close to famous French cities such as Marseille, Avignon, and Aix-en-Provence. If you are looking for picturesque medieval villages, lush greenery, breathtaking valley views, and delicious food, Provence will not disappoint you! Since we live in France, we have visited it several times, and each time it leaves us speechless. In this article, you will find the most beautiful towns to visit on your next trip to Provence.
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Things to know before visiting Provence
Provence is situated in southeastern France. The prettiest Provençal towns are located in Luberon, a mountain range in the heart of Provence. This special French region has it all, from charming medieval villages to magical valleys and lavender fields. The easiest way to explore its gems is by car, as you will have complete freedom to visit many places and admire the views along the way. You can easily spend a week in Provence, but you can also visit it in 2-3 days. As there are countless places to explore, we highly recommend staying in different places to be able to fully experience their beauty! Provence is personally the area we choose to visit whenever we need to connect with nature and enjoy a more peaceful lifestyle.
Provence is well-known for its local cuisine and wine. So, if you are a wine or French cuisine lover, you will enjoy your time there even more. Nothing is better than sipping a glass of water while admiring the vast greenery of the valleys. We cannot recommend enough to do wine tours during your trip. However, Provence gets very busy during the summer months with hundreds of tourists. That’s why we suggest you visit either in the shoulder season (spring or fall) or on weekdays. One of the things you should do is visit the morning markets. Depending on the country you are coming from, we recommend purchasing a digital e-SIM card in advance to have mobile data once you arrive in France, especially if you plan to work, and need more Internet. It’s something that we do every time we visit a country outside of Europe.
How to get to Provence?
Due to its geographical location, the easiest way to get to Provence is by taking the train (or bus if you are on a tight budget), or simply by road from the South of France. However, if you want a quick tour of Provence, we highly recommend an organized day tour, either from Aix-en-Provence, or Avignon, which are the most popular. You can also get to Provence from any French city, or even from nearby countries, such as Italy, Switzerland, and perhaps Germany. Especially in the summer months, many trains run daily routes connecting the major towns of Provence with other French cities.
How to get around Provence?
The most convenient way to get around Provence is definitely by car. You can either rent a car directly in Provence or if you are coming to France by plane, you can rent a car at the airport to save time. Regardless of where you choose to pick up your rental car, driving or road-tripping through this wonderful region is one of the best things to do in France! Nothing beats the views of the landscapes and colorful old villages of Provence.
However, if you do not want to hire a car, you can take the train to get from one town to another. Trains in France run regularly and are usually easy to use. But, if you want to visit lesser-known villages, such as Murs, you should check if trains are available. Otherwise, you can take the local buses to explore the hidden gems of Provence.
Where to stay?
Provence is a large region made up of many towns and villages. So, there are many options for where you stay. If you are short on time, we recommend staying in a larger town (Avignon, Aix-en Provence, or Marseille), and taking day trips to nearby villages. However, if you have plenty of time, we suggest staying in the Provençal villages to get a full experience of this unique area. No matter where you choose to stay, you will have a great time. Imagine waking up surrounded by beautiful nature, while having a delicious French breakfast! Since it is one of the busiest regions in the summer, it is best to book your accommodation in advance to find the best deals. Provence caters to all tastes and budgets, meaning you can find everything from luxury villas, hotels, and resorts to affordable local hotels, bed and breakfasts, etc.
The best time to visit Provence
Provence is synonymous with sunny days, blooming flowers, and greenery. Therefore, we cannot recommend you to visit it during the winter months. We have visited Provence several times, either in spring, summer, or late October. Our favorite season is spring (April and May), or fall (September and October). During these seasons, the weather is pleasant, but without high temperatures. However, if you are planning to visit Provence in the summer (from June to August), you should be aware of the hot weather, big crowds, and higher prices, because everything gets more pricey in summer.
Most beautiful places to visit in Provence
1-Gordes
Gordes is one of the most famous villages not only in Provence but also in France. It has been voted “the most beautiful village in the world” by the American magazine Leisure + Travel. As one of the hilltop villages of Luberon, it offers mesmerizing views of the surrounding valleys. Gordes is also full of beautiful colors, narrow alleys, and charming white houses. Since it is a very popular French village, it has a few shops, cafés, and restaurants. So, you can easily spend half a day there. If you plan to take a road trip in Provence, you can easily start from Gordes, and then head to the other nearby villages. The closest villages are Roussillon and Murs, which are also worth a visit.
However, if you are a photography enthusiast like us, you cannot leave the village without visiting its most famous spot. You will find it at the entrance of the village in Rue de Cavaillon. As you can imagine, this little spot gets very busy in the summer months, especially on weekends. That’s why we recommend visiting it early in the morning, or late in the evening. If you visit it in the morning and have enough time, you can enjoy your morning coffee and breakfast there.
2-Roussillon
Roussillon is another village in the Luberon region. It is well-known for its unique ochre color. It is located about 14 minutes (10,2 kilometers) from Gordes. It is a very charming and colorful small town with cute shops, art galleries, cafés, restaurants, and traditional markets. You can easily spend a few hours there walking through its narrow streets while enjoying the vibrant colors, and views. Roussillon is surrounded by green hills, as well as red and orange cliffs, creating a unique landscape.
3-Sentier des Ocres
Just a few steps from the center of Roussillon, you can find yourself at the entrance of the famous “Sentier des Ocres”, an ochred-colored trail. It is a unique landscape that is definitely worth visiting during your trip to Provence. Due to its characteristic ochre color, it exudes the atmosphere of the American West. Once you buy your ticket at the entrance, there are two trails to choose from (30 minutes or 50 minutes). However, it gets very crowded during the peak summer season. Because of its color, we recommend avoiding white clothes, and prefer comfortable shoes for moving around! If you are looking for stunning places to photograph in Provence, the Sentier des Ocres should be at the top of your list.
4-Goult
Goult is another charming village to explore in Provence. It is located about 14 minutes from Gordes and Roussillon. We have only been there once, but we loved its authentic architecture with cobblestone streets, old colorful doors, beautiful flowers, and greenery! On the way up to the village, you will find an old moulin, where you can enjoy panoramic views of the surrounding area. Goult is the perfect place to visit if you are looking for a more peaceful Provençal village.
5-Bonnieux
Bonnieux is a lesser-known place in Luberon. That’s why it is known as a “hidden” village. We visited it during our last road trip in Provence, and it was a great surprise. Before heading into the village, we even found a beautiful road with tall trees, which reminded us of the Tuscan landscapes. You can visit Bonnieux before or after visiting Gordes and Roussillon (about 15 minutes away). Since it is a less-touristy place, it fully maintains its authenticity with the old earth-toned houses, the cobblestone alleys, and the vineyards surrounding the village.
6-Lacoste
Lacoste is one of the oldest and most picturesque villages in the Vaucluse department. It is located opposite the village of Bonnieux, so we recommend visiting it just after Bonnieux. Stepping into Lacoste, you feel like playing in an old French movie, with cobblestone streets, and well-preserved old houses. Since it is a typical hilltop village, it offers stunning panoramic views of Provence. If you plan to visit it by car, which is the easiest way to reach the village, you will have the opportunity to stop by the beautiful fields. It is a real treat to have a picnic and enjoy the vibrant colors of the flowers, especially in spring.
If you are a history buff, you will fall in love with Lacoste. Entering the village, you will find the “Portail de la Garde gate”, where you should stop to admire the views. A few steps from the gate, you will find the most photographed spot of the village (photo on the right). The village is even more beautiful when it lights up at night. We recommend you take a romantic stroll through the enchanting streets.
7-Murs
Murs is an old, tiny village in the Luberon region, located about 8 kilometers from Gordes. Despite its size, it is worth visiting mainly for its fascinating views, as it is built on a hill. A must-do in Murs is to walk up to the restored 15th-century castle (“Château de Murs” in French), which provides the most beautiful views of the village. In our opinion, Murs is the perfect tiny town to visit if you are looking for the oldest places in Provence.
8-Fontaine-de-Vaucluse
We could not complete our list of the prettiest towns in Provence without including Fontaine-de-Vaucluse (“Spring of Vaucluse” in English). It is a unique medieval village built around its spring in a valley at the foot of the Vaucluse Mountains (“Monts de Vaucluse” in French). It has the biggest spring in Europe and is a must-see in Provence, especially in spring and summer. You can easily spend a few hours, enjoying the clear waters of the spring, the greenery, and the colorful houses! You will also find a few shops selling local products. We highly recommend trying the local cuisine in one of the restaurants sitting by the river to enjoy the beautiful ambiance. However, the village gets very busy in summer. Therefore, it is best to visit it on weekdays to avoid crowds.
Final Thoughts
Provence will leave you in awe with its medieval villages, beautiful landscapes, and stunning views almost everywhere. For us, all the villages of Luberon have something unique to offer and are all worth a visit. However, if we had to choose, we would strongly recommend the iconic villages of Gordes (for its architecture and views), Roussillon (for its ochre-colored rocks), and Fontaine-de-Vaucluse (for its spring and picturesque center).
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