The 16 most beautiful villages in Provence-Alpes-Côte d’Azur

The 16 most beautiful villages in Provence-Alpes-Côte d’Azur: for a complete visit to the country of cigales, calanques and lavender.

The cities and villages of Provence-Alpes-Côte d’Azur awaken the imagination of travellers from all over the world. It is a paradise where one can imagine oneself without a problem tasting the sweetness of living. In the shadow of the olive trees, one would be left torn by the singing of the cicadas and the clapotis of the opalescent waters. The palate and its nostrils in prey should also be left with aromatic plants and orange blossoms.

What if the dream come true? Embark on this sunny destination and sung proudly by its children. Discover the rhythm of its typical, wild and majestic villages, enclaved between the hills and the vineyard hills. Here are the 16 most beautiful villages in Provence-Alpes-Côte d’Azur.

1. Moustiers-Sainte-Marie

After sailing on the lake, scandalously blue, from Sainte-Croix, make a stop in Moustiers-Sainte-Marie. In the Regional Natural Park Verdon , at the foot of a limestone massif, this fairytale village has become a must.

Its flowery alleys, whose colours enhance the milky bursting with faience, seem blessed by the gods. Also discover its houses with a unique charm and climb up to its chapel and castle with a hollow rock.

2. Saint-Véran

Over two thousand meters above sea level, the sundials of Saint-Véran seem to touch the sun. Just like its slate roofs, which, blossoming the clouds, immediately bind all visitors.

This village is one of the most beautiful villages in Provence but also the highest in Europe. In the heart of the Queyras Regional Natural Park, let yourself be carried to the detour of alleys flooded this and there fountains, wooden chalets and old houses of centuries.

3. Coaraze

The colourful facades of Coaraze have always fascinated and attracted artists. This medieval village, nestled in the back country of Niçois, bathes in the sun and light. This gives it an absolutely stunning color palette. It can thus be proud to record all the charms characteristic of the villages of the Riviera.

Walk to the flowery squares and go in search of the series of sundials erected by Jean Cocteau.

4. Gassin

Gassin is magnetic. This typical Provencal village, with its squares, fountains, arched passages and enamelling of secret streets, also promises a grandiose panorama on the Gulf of Saint-Tropez. Gassin offers a remarkable quality of life and a unique heritage. This village rises on a wooded and abundantly flowered mound.

The small alleys lead to the front of historic gates and an olive oil mill, a fortified terrace that plunges to the golden islands.

5. Gourdon

At the top of the Loup valley stands the beautiful village of Gourdon. An emblem to visit in Provence-Alpes-Côte-d’Azur, of which we immediately fall in love. We challenge you to resist its houses, its castle and its opening on the Great Blue.

This fortified place, proud on rocky promontory, has preserved its medieval heritage: for the greatest pleasure of historical strollers.

6. The Grave

One of the first villages to visit in Provence-Alpes-Côte d’Azur makes you take the direction of the mountains. Loved in the streaks of a high valley in the Massif des Écrins, this legendary village stands at the dreadful peak of the Meije.

Here, lovers of traditional stone habitats, mountaineering and altitude landscapes no longer know where to give head. To finish blowing off, borrow the cable car from the Glacier de la Meije . Do you see, below, the church of the Middle Ages and the wood and brass crosses of the cemetery?

7. Gordes

This village of artists resembles a provencal crèche hachered by the pine forest and toizing the Azur sky. It is one of the most beautiful villages of Provence-Alpes-Côte-d’Azur but also the most visited of the Luberon .

Perched above the plain, its Renaissance castle, as stained in the rock, dominates. Explore the streets impregnated by the traditions of Provence. Discover the small dry stone houses with a dazzling whiteness. Not far, pass through the Abbey of Senanque, between fields of olive trees and lavender.

8. Venasque

Venasque emerges from a sunny land and proudly stands in the rank of ancient medieval city. This town to visit in Provence-Alpes-Côte-d’Azur is typical of the vineyards, cherries and garrigues that encirculate it. As in balance on its rock, Venasque rises in vigy on the valley. Its charm also lies in its places where the fountains and the remarkable dwellings emerge.

An irreducible invitation to calm and serenity among the workshops of artists and artisans.

9. Lourmarin

That says setting of stones, olive trees and vineyards called typical Provencal décor. Lourmarin embodies his region and his art of living. His castle, standing since the Renaissance, and his alleys are treasures whose epicureans, artists and walkers never tire.

This is how the art galleries, craft shops and beautiful sunny terraces succeed in an incomparable charm. Don't leave Venasque without tasting its sweet cakes.

10. Roussillon

Roussillon, or the village that looks like a master canvas. No one remains insensitive to his brilliant beauty. This atypical village vibrates in warm and solar colors. Like the famous red ochres dug in the vicinity, this sparkling enclave ensorcelles.

The narrow alleys, the stairs like the houses are steeped in ocher. All is assembled in exceptional harmony. So let yourself go to the enchantment of the shaving rays the palettes of yellow, red, brown and green.

11. Bargae

Bargème stands out by its 13th century castle perched over a thousand meters above sea level. This feudal village conquers all lovers of the Middle Ages and the old stone. Blotti in a green setting, Bargème is rich in its timeless chapels. Drive through the medieval aisles and listen to the murmurs of History at every corner of the street.

12. Les Baux-de-Provence

This majestic village to visit in Provence-Alpes-Côte-d’Azur is cramped to a rocky grove and toises the ravines of the Alpilles. The Baux-de-Provence has an infinite grace, which is discovered through the labyrinthic aisles. Raise your eyes: the remains of the castle stand on you and the entire city.

Here, everything is only concentrated in unshakeable history and fortifications. This little paradise also retains citadel ruins, towers, a castral chapel and a dungeon opening on an exceptional point of view.

13. Saint-Agnès

Jousing the border Italian , Saint-Agnès is a balcony open to the sea: the highest in Europe. This village, among the must-sees in Provence-Alpes-Côte-d’Azur, bears witness to an enchanting authenticity.

Its labyrinth of narrow and pebble alleys gives it a striking medieval look. Even better, this maze finally leads to a breathtaking view of the Côte-d’Azur.

14. Peillon

Peillon campes on a steep promontory and will heat your calves! The village is so steep that there are only stairs. Sports ambulances nevertheless have an exceptional charm.

This medieval village of character seems inexpugnable and we even wonder how it happened there... The stone houses, which are closely linked, are thus found in the landscape. Between two you will find arcades and a fully preserved chapel.

15. Pee

Here it makes good to stroll under the olive trees, fig trees, cypresses and between the old stones. Peille is a typical character village that promises stunning walks in the hinterland of Menton and Monaco .

Peille is famous for its Lascaris palace, built on the cliff. If its site seems bitter and wild, the place is really attractive and warm. At nightfall, the feudal village becomes magical: the scholarly lighting offers a spectacular view.

16. Ramatuelle

Ramatuelle, a village full of celebrities, nestles near the Gulf of Saint-Tropez and the famous Pampelonne beach. It is rich in historical sites that bubble under the song of cigales.

Here you can be charmed by the mazes, the turbulent alleys, arched passages, religious buildings that carry. In the backdrop, the maquis and the vines make this haven of peace.