Other tourist villages in Provence
Provence is known for villages where you can naturally slow down, with narrow streets, shutters half-open and a bakery on the corner. This selection of the 10 most beautiful villages gives you a good idea. However, you will come across many more.
During a stay in the region, on one occasion, we spontaneously drove to Sanary-sur-Mer, where the fishing boats are still in the harbour, and to Cassis, with the limestone cliffs just outside the village. A day later, we were in Bormes-les-Mimosas, where the streets climb steeply upwards, and you have a different view every time.
Villages where it is quieter can also be found inland. In Salernes, you can still see the old ceramics tradition, and in Tourtour, from over the town square, you can look out to see dozens of kilometres of landscape. In Brignoles, we sat on a small terrace frequented mainly by locals, while Castellane is a good base for a drive towards the Gorges du Verdon.
On the coast, the pace is higher. Around Fréjus and Saint-Raphaël, there is an alternation of beaches and old town centres. And those who are in the area often drive a little further to Monaco, although that feels more like a city than a village.
These are just a few examples. That is precisely what makes Provence attractive: you don't have to look far. Most of the time, the next village is already just a few kilometres away, hidden behind a hill or along a winding road.
Villages and nature in other regions
Anyone staying longer in France will notice that these types of villages are not only found in Provence. In the Dordogne, for example, they are scattered along the river and on rocky plateaus. Check out the tourist spots in the Dordogne or read more about the Dordogne valley, where castles and villages alternate.
You will also come across these types of villages in the west of France, in Poitou-Charentes. Around Les Forges, there are small towns where you can cycle through the fields or walk past old churches. You can find more tips on tourist villages around Les Forges, hiking in Poitou-Charentes and information about the nature reserves in Poitou-Charentes.
If you drive further south towards the Languedoc, there is a change in landscape. Here, villages lie on mountain slopes or hidden among vineyards. From Quillan, we visited several places in one day, with a stop at a small roadside café in between. Explore the tourist spots in the Languedoc and combine this with hiking in the Languedoc, cycling in the Languedoc, and the nature reserves in the Languedoc and Ariège.
Even in the Alps, you will find this type of village, although they are surrounded by mountains and forests. In the Portes du Soleil, there are authentic mountain villages where you can ski in winter and hike in summer. You can find more inspiration in the most beautiful villages in Portes du Soleil.
