The most beautiful villages in Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur Tourism

Saint-Véran and La Grave

Jewels of the Alps

Located near the Parc National des Écrins, facing the peak of La Meije, La Grave has beautifully retained its authenticity. With its stone buildings, its 11th-century church and its cemetery, decorated with wooden crosses and brass hearts, the village has not surrendered to time’s clutches. Perched at an altitude of 2,042 metres at the heart of the Parc Naturel Régional du Queyras, Saint-Véran, the highest inhabited village in Europe, immediately charms visitors. Wooden chalets and slate roofs mingle in a graceful architectural unity. At each twist of the little streets, fountains, communal ovens and sundials pop up, typical of the local heritage.

Sainte-Agnès, Coaraze, Gourdon and Saorge

Nestled in the Nice Countryside

A former defense station on the Ligne Maginot, a short walk from the Italian border, Sainte-Agnès is a balcony that opens onto to the sea. Its maze of paved little streets and its authentic atmosphere make it an essential spot in the hinterland of Nice. Its neighbour Coaraze boasts the same charm unique to the villages of the Riviera. Its colourful facades and its flowery squares particularly seduced Jean Cocteau, who made a series of sundials there. Finally, Gourdon will delight with its petite houses, its castle and its clear view over the Mediterranean. Clinging to the side of the mountain, Saorge, like an eagle’s eyrie, unfolds its hanging streets and its cascade of houses above the Gorges de la Roya.

Moustiers, Bargème, Seillans, Tourtour and Cotignac

Between the Verdon and Provence Verte

On the shores of the Lac de Sainte-Croix, in the Parc Naturel Régional du Verdon, Moustiers-Sainte-Marie nestles at the foot of a rocky massif. This enchanting village with its little flower-filled streets is renowned for its faïence. Nearby Bargème, the highest community in the Var, stands out for its 13th-century castle. Head to Seillans and Tourtour to experience the allure of typical Provençal villages, with their small squares, fountains and vaulted passages. A few kilometres away, backed up against its tufa cliffs, Cotignac will certainly charm curious visitors who will be amazed by the troglodytic dwellings and the colourful facades which light up its little streets.

Séguret

A Treasure in the Vallée du Rhône

At the foot of Dentelles de Montmirail massif, Séguret, topped by the tower of its old medieval castle, offers a clear and splendid view over the Vallée du Rhône. Along the narrow tree-lined streets that are bordered by stone houses, the Porte Reynier is the first thing you’ll discover, a remnant of the village’s fortifications. Then the Fontaine des Mascarons – typically Provençal – the washhouse and the Romanesque church, Saint-Denis.

Venasque, Gordes, and Roussillon

Inspiring Villages in the Heart of Provence

On this sunny land where lavender flourishes, six villages are distinguished by their charm and strong southern identity. First Venasque, an old medieval town, surrounded by vines, cherry trees and garrigue at the foot of Mont Ventoux. Then Gordes, an artists’ village celebrated by Chagall and Vasarely. Nearby, Roussillon casts its spell with its warm, flamboyant colours. Then it’s off to Ménerbes and its picturesque winding streets, where Picasso lived in 1945. Finally, with their decor of stones, olive trees and vines, Lourmarin and Ansouis marvellously embody the loveliness and lifestyle à la Provençale.

Les Baux-de-Provence

A most majestic place

Camped on a rocky outcrop framed by ravines right at the heart of the Parc Naturel Régional des Alpilles, Les Baux-de-Provence have been blessed by their heritage. A labyrinth of little streets overlooked by the remains of a castle, the village is listed in its entirety as a historic monument and boasts a rich concentration of history. To enjoy the village to its fullest, visit it off-season if you can.

Mont-Dauphin, Colmars and Entrevaux

Fortified villages in the Alps

Vauban, the Roi-Soleil’s excellent strategist and engineer, left his mark on many of the Plus Beaux Villages de France. Firstly, Mont-Dauphin, on its plateau overlooking the Durance Valley, with its impressive bastioned citade listed in the UNESCO World Heritage. Its narrow, straight streets and its ramparts offer a striking panorama of the surrounding mountains. Further south, in the Haut-Verdon, Colmars is an attractive fortified town filled with medieval charm, surrounded by a wall and two monumental gates. This commune in the Mercantour National Park also bears witness to the region’s rich defensive past. And Entrevaux, rising up on its rocky peak, can be reached by a fortified path which winds up the side of the mountain. Guaranteed panoramic view!

Le Castellet, Bormes-les-Mimosas and Gassin

From the Sainte-Baume to the Var coast

To the west of the Var, in the Sainte-Baume Natural Regional Park, you can see the medieval village of LeCastellet. Surrounded by ramparts, it offers a fantastic view over the hinterland and the Var coast. On its hill facing the Mediterranean, Bormes-les-Mimosas is a must on the Côte d’Azur. Bedecked with mimosa in winter and bougainvillaea in summer, you’ll love its colourful streets, its arched passageways known as “cuberts” and of course, its wonderful views of the sea. Finally, Gassin, an enamelled village full of little alleys, promises you a stunning panorama over the Golfe de Saint-Tropez.