Towns & Villages in Provence

Arles is the 'third city' in the département of the Bouches-du-Rhône. Compared to its boisterous, historical rival Marseille and its worldly sister Aix-en-Provence, it can be quite sedate, though summer visitors might disagree.

Nyons is mainly famous for being the most northerly olive growing region in Europe. Sheltered as it is by its location in the Eygues Valley, it is blessed with many days of sunshine, mild winters and hot summers.

Venasque is one of the oldest villages in Provence, and has been rated as one of the 'most beautiful villages in France'.

Mormoiron is a small rural village in the north of the Vaucluse region well known for its vineyards, cherry and olive oil production. 

You shouldn't let the lines of parked cars put you off stopping at Les Baux de Provence. This is one of the loveliest hilltop villages you'll come across, and it's worth the fight through the crowds to take a look. Ideally, don't come in midsummer, otherwise you will be sharing every nook and cranny with a thousand other tourists.

Nestled in the hills of Les Alpilles, Saint-Rémy-de-Provence is a stylish town much favoured by the creative Parisien set. Its centre is full of narrow medieval alleyways, with fountains and shady squares and wonderful buildings.

Vaison la Romaine has it all, Roman ruins, a historic and delightful medieval town centre, a castle on a rock, arts festivals, wonderful vineyards and glorious countryside for hiking and biking.

Apt lies at the heart of the Luberon and became a Roman colony thanks to its position on the Via Domitia - the Roman road built in France to link Italy to Spain.

Villecroze is an attractive village in the foothills of the Alps, to the north of Brignoles in the beautiful and lush region of the Var.

Port-Grimaud is a purpose built Venetian-style Provençal village that looks as if it has been there for centuries. In the sixties Alsatian-born architect François Spoerry bought a large piece of swamp by the coast and over four years created one of the most successful property developments in France.

Cucuron is a pretty little village surrounded by glorious countryside where walkers can enjoy trails up to the Luberon's highest point, the Mourre Negre.

Driving from Lyon south on the Autoroute A7 towards Provence, you may notice the signs for Orange, the first major town in the region.

Another medieval town that is dominated by its castle, Suze la Rousse is full of charming cobbled streets and ancient stone buildings.

The home of AOC Rasteau wines, the village of Rasteau is tiny and can be covered quite easily in an hour's walk.

Lourmarin has become very popular and chic thanks to its pretty centre, its wonderful Renaissance castle and its proximity to the TGV train in Avignon (for Parisien weekenders of course).

When driving on the Highway of the Sun, l'Autoroute du Soleil, past Aix-en-Provence towards Brignoles and the Côte d'Azur, your eye will be caught by an imposing building that sluggishly towers over its neighboring houses, like a Gulliver in Lilliput.

The tiny village of Cadenet is less showy than neighboring Lourmarin, but it's also less crowded and more unspoiled by the glossy effect tourism tends to have on the appearance of Provençal villages.

Le Barroux stands out from some of its neighbouring hilltop villages thanks to its imposing 12th century castle which dominates the skyline.