The Most Beautiful Villages to Visit in Provence

the most beautiful villages of provence

If you’re planning a trip to Provence, you’re likely researching which villages are worth visiting in the region to maximize your itinerary. Whether you have only a few days in Provence or are lucky enough to have a couple of weeks, the Provence region has over 800 villages ready to welcome you into their charming streets.

With so many villages in the region, it can feel a bit overwhelming to determine which villages are worth visiting in Provence, or which Provencal villages are the most beautiful to visit during your first travels to the region.

After having traveled to Provence four times, and visited over 15 villages in the Luberon, Vaucluse and Bouches-du-Rhone regions of Provence, below are the most beautiful Provencal villages worth visiting during your travels to the South of France.

tips for visiting the villages

The villages are normally most lively on their market days, which vary, and have been noted in each villages description below. To experience the Provencal village at its best energy, I would recommend planning your visits around those days.

For planning purposes, know that you can easily bundle a few of the villages in one day by heading to a market at one, grabbing lunch at another and eating dinner at a third before heading back to your Provence hotel or Airbnb. The Provencal villages are quite small meaning you can stroll through them at a leisurely pace and then decide how much time you want to spend there.

You will need a car to access all of the villages below, and there is always public parking on the outskirts of the villages, which I recommend using rather than trying to park within the villages on the teeny narrow streets!

1) Lourmarin (The prettiest village in provence - in my opinion)

Known as one of the most beautiful villages in France (which we thoroughly agree with), Lourmarin has been settled for over a thousand years and though small, boasts endless Provençal charm and even its own chateau, Château de Lourmarin.

Strolling through the streets of Lourmarin you’ll find traditional curbside French cafes, boutiques, antique shops, art galleries, buildings covered in ivy, and some of the most beautiful doors in Provence. The Friday market in Lourmarin is a must-visit and its our favorite in the region.

You can read why we think Lourmarin is the prettiest village in Provence and things to do during your visit there here or find our favorite hotel in Lourmarin here.

2) Roussillon (LUberon, Provence)

When it comes to the prettiest villages in Provence and in the South of France, the Luberon village of Roussillon is one that shouldn’t be missed. It’s unique in it’s ochre-colored buildings, made from the rock surrounding the village and is the perfect example of a French village bursting with color.

Roussillon is a great spot to buy souvenirs (we brought home lots of goodies from Maison Bremond 1830) or grab a delicious lunch. You can also take a leisurely 30- or 60-minute hike through the Ochre Trail, just off the village.

The Roussillon market takes place year round on Thursdays.

3) Lacoste

A medieval village perched on a hilltop, home to artists and SCAD (Savannah College of Arts + Design) students, Lacoste is hands down one of the most beautiful villages in Provence. Truth be told, the market here is a little underwhelming (held on Wednesdays) and there isn’t too much to do in the village, but its the perfect place to explore if you want to see a picturesque Provencal town and get some lovely photography in.

4) Bonnieux

Bonnieux is a Provencal village situated on a hilltop overlooking the valley below and is simply one of the most breathtaking villages in the region. You can see the village as you approach by car, and you can also discover stunning views by climbing to the top of the village to L'église Vieille, a twelfth century church.

Bonnieux’s weekly market is on Friday and can easily be combined with a visit to Lourmarin, Roussillon, Lacoste or Gordes.

5) Oppede le Vieux

Perched on a hilltop sits the ruins of Oppède le Vieux, an absolutely breathtaking Provencal village that feels like its been placed in the cliffs straight out of a story book. Beneath the ruins sits a tiny village hidden in the rocks, with a scattering of stone buildings bursting with character.

To visit Oppède le Vieux, there is a designated parking lot at the bottom on the hill, and from the parking lot you take an inclined stroll through the little village before heading up to the ruins. It looks steep from below, but the hike up to the top is gentle and worth it to see the ruins up close and the vista from above!

Other than hiking to the top, there isn’t too much else to do in the village, but it’s worth visiting just to experience the sleepy town.

You can read our complete guide to visting Oppède le Vieux here.

6) Lauris

Lauris is a small, unassuming Provencal village located between the Luberon and the Durance river, a short 7-minute drive from Lourmarin. The village itself is at a slight elevation, overlooking the valley below and offering stunning vistas of the region. The streets themselves lack no amount of charm and after wandering the streets you can grab a bite to eat from the incredible Chez Lulu.

The Lauris market is held on Mondays.

7) Gordes

Gordes, the most visited “hill village” in Provence offers winding cobblestone streets and breathtaking views of the valley below, making it one of the most beautiful Provencal villages.

Gordes is located in close proximity to the famous Senaque Abbey (a lavender hotspot), and is a village bursting with shops and restaurants. Come here around sunset to get amazing photos and golden views of both the village and the valley below.

The Gordes market is every Tuesday.

8) Saint Remy de Provence

Saint-Remy-de-Provence is located in the Bouches-du-Rhone department of Provence, and is a beautiful Provencal village bursting with shops and cafes. The village itself is a little under an hour’s drive from Lourmarin and other villages in the Luberon and is most famous for it being the backdrop for some of Vincent Van Gogh’s most famous works (such as Starry Night), when he was a patient at St. Paul’s Mausoleum.

The Saint-Remy-de-Provence market is held every Wednesday.

9) Ménerbes

Located in the heart of the Luberon and a short driving distance from Bonnieux, Lacoste and Lourmarin sits the beautiful Provencal village of Ménerbes. After having been on our list for a few years, we finally got the chance to explore Ménerbes in March of 2024 and I’m already planning our trip back to see the village in her full Summer glory.

Despite it being a bit off-season, Ménerbes wowed us with her romantic streets and hilltop 360 degree views overlooking the Provencal landscapes below

The Ménerbes market is every Thursday morning in the center of the village.

STICK AROUND FOR A WHILE

Need help planning the rest of your trip to Provence?

We think you’ll like our other Provence posts, like our Complete Provence Travel Guide, the Best Hotels in Provence, the Prettiest Airbnbs in the South of France, our experience staying at Le Galinier in Lourmarin, and the guide to our favorite village in Provence: Lourmarin.

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