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Provence, France Guide
Beautiful villages and cities of Provence
Beautiful villages and cities of Provence

Hilltop villages in Alpilles and Luberon, recommendation

Updated over a week ago

Updated 20 Nov 2023

The rich cultural heritage of Provence was achieved through various influences of previous civilizations to give the region its distinct personality. Reminders of the past can be appreciated in regional chateaux, Roman ruins, Medieval structures and Renaissance buildings that characterize the area. Delight in charming villages with gushing fountains and monuments to a notable past and the rich culture of the area. Make it a point to visit these memorable attractions while in Provence.

Gordes

A small hilltop village (one of the most beautiful villages of France) with stone narrow streets, shops, its castle from the Renaissance and one of the most impressive view of the Luberon. Visit the Villages des Bories: open-air museum of traditional stone shelters; the Abbaye de Sénanque, an abbey still occupied by a community of the Cistercians monks; The Lavender Museum.

Ménerbes

A beautiful hilltop village (another of France’s most beautiful villages) with commanding views of the Luberon valley and mountains. Local connections to Picasso and more recently, Peter Mayle’s ‘A Year in Provence’.

Roussillon

A hilltop village is another renowned village known as one of the most beautiful in all of France. Roussillon is located the heart of the Luberon and famous for its ochre quarries and distinctive reddish village tint. Visit the Ochre conservatory.

Lacoste

Hilltop village crowned by the now ruined chateau of the Marquis of Sade. Now owned by the designer Pierre Cardin.

L’Isle-Sur-La-Sorgue

A small, picturesque Provencal market town with handcraft and local food, well known for its Sunday antiques markets and shops along the river Sorgue.

Fontaine De Vaucluse

A tiny village on the river Sorgue. Walk along the river and discover the natural Fountain of the Sorgue: the water originates from the mountain. Visit the glassblowing workshop.

Chateauneuf-Du-Pape

A small traditional village surrounded by vineyards, famous for their local wine. Visit the Chocolate factory of Castelain and do the Chocolate and wine tasting. Stop by the Wine and Vine Museum for a better understanding of the wine making. Organize a private wine tour with one of our expert. 

St-Rémy-De-Provence

One of the most beautiful villages of France, small Provencal market town with a long history going back to Roman times. Beautiful architecture, restaurants and boutiques. Local connections to the Dutch painter, Vincent Van Gogh. Visit the Glanum: the Roman ruins of the original town of St-Rémy-de-Provence; the Monastère St Paul de Mausole: Van Gogh lived there, it is now a Museum focus on the painter and its work.

Les-Baux-De-Provence

A fascinating medieval hilltop fortress village that is great for kids of all ages. Visit the Medieval castle on the top of the village and the Carrières de Lumières: an art exhibition gallery located in the awe-inspiring rock caves.

Lourmarin

A small hilltop village designated as one of the most beautiful villages of France is surrounded by the classical countryside at the foothill of the Luberon Mountains. Experience the Music Festival in the Chateau of Lourmarin: Classical, pop, rock music.

Avignon

A historic multi-cultural town and the palace where seat of the Pope and center of Catholicism occurred during the 12th and 13th century. Visit the Pope Palace, the Pont St Benezet and experience the Theater festival in July.

Aix-En-Provence

A historic Roman town and the birthplace of the painter Paul Cézanne. Rich in culture, art galleries, theatre, ballet, concerts, markets…

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