Top 12 Towns in Southern France

The picturesque village of Gordes is located in the Vaucluse area of the Provence-Alps-Côte d'Azur region and is often thought to be one of southern France’s most beautiful villages. Perched on a hilltop in the Luberon Valley, Gordes presents views of lush landscapes, vineyards, and the stunning lavender fields of nearby Sénanque Abbey.

You can stroll along the cobblestone streets of the village center and immerse yourself in local art and history, adding a visit to the Musée Marc Chagall to witness the famous artist’s work. Hiking the trails around Gordes is popular, with spectacular views over the Luberon Valley.

Step inside the Church of Saint Firmin, located at one of the highest points in Gordes, to discover its beautiful interior. Featuring eight chapels dedicated to patron saints, the walls are a colorful display of blue and white.

Recommended length of stay: 4-5 days

Highlights: Musée Marc Chagall • Church of Saint Firmin • Sénanque Abbey

A town woven with canals and weaving waterways, L’Isle-sur-la-Sorgue could be referred to as the “Venice of Provence.” This picturesque destination is known for its vast antique markets, with several permanent stalls set up on a Sunday and wares ranging from vintage clothing to local crafts such as handmade soaps.

The town features many beautiful water wheels, remnants of its industrial past. Around 14 of these historic contraptions remain today. Historically, they were used to power various industries, including wool and silk production.

Enjoy a picnic at Le Partage des Eaux, a tranquil spot where the river splits in two. An ambiance of calm and serenity fills the air as you take in the sounds of rippling river waters and creaking water wheels.

Recommended length of stay: 3-4 days

Highlights: Antique markets • Le Partage des Eaux • Historic water wheels

Roussillon is a much-loved destination for photographers and artists, with colorful scenery highlighting the town through narrow streets and vibrant ochre cliffs and quarries. The earth’s red, yellow, and brown hues create a stunning contrast to the greens and blues of the landscape and sky.

Discover Roussillon’s central square, the Place de la Mairie, featuring the town hall’s characteristic burnt umber facade and mint green shutters. Visit the fortified area of Castrum, which is located at the village’s summit and presents outstanding views of the surrounding countryside.

Walking the ochre trails around Roussillon may build up an appetite, leading you to one of several restaurants serving Provençal cuisine. You can enjoy a dish of lamb seasoned with herbs like thyme, lavender, and rosemary that are particular to the region.

Recommended length of stay: 1-2 days

Highlights: Ochre Cliffs and quarries • Place de la Mairie • Fortified Castrum

Glamour and luxury are synonymous with Saint-Tropez, located on the French Riviera in the Provence-Alps-Côte d'Azur region. With narrow, cobbled streets, sandy beaches, and incredible coastal views, the town is a popular destination for the rich and famous,

Key sights include the historic, early 17th-century fortress Citadel of Saint-Tropez and the Musée de l’Histoire Maritime. The latter showcases the maritime history of Saint-Tropez through interactive exhibits and artifacts, highlighting the town’s seafaring heritage. Outdoor sights include the iconic Old Port harbor, where luxury yachts moor alongside simple fishing boats, making it a great place for a leisurely stroll and people-watching.

Saint-Tropez is home to the popular beaches of Pampelonne and their exclusive beach clubs, and is also hailed as a top destination for events and festivals. Taking place throughout the year, these include the Voiles de Saint-Tropez sailing regatta, the Bravades religious festival, and numerous art exhibitions and music festivals.

Recommended length of stay: 3-4 days

Highlights: Pampelonne beaches • Old Port • Citadel of Saint-Tropez

Cassis will immediately draw you in with its stunning coastal scenery and colorful fishing boats bobbing along the harbor waters. The Calanques National Park will offer you the chance to hike scenic trails with spectacular views over the Mediterranean Sea.

You can enjoy adventure and time out in this village nestled beneath dramatic cliffs. Laze on beaches defined by fine sand and crystal-clear waters, with Calanque de Port-Miou and Calanque de Port Pin two of the most popular beaches. You and your family can also enjoy the Plage de la Grande Mer in the heart of Cassis.

Cassis is known for its casual dining atmosphere, with many eateries featuring outdoor seating with views over the harbor. Meals range from daube provençale, or beef stew, to calamari served with aioli. Round up your meal with a glass of white wine made from blended Marsanne and Clairette grapes.

Recommended length of stay: 2-3 days

Highlights: Colorful fishing boats • Calanques National Park • Plage de la Grande Mer Family Beach

Noted as one of the French Riviera’s most picturesque coastal towns, Villefranche-sur-Mer is known for its beautiful harbor, colorful old town, and Plage des Marinieres beach. With stunning views over the Mediterranean, you will be captivated by its charm and laidback atmosphere the moment you arrive.

Visit the Citadel of Villefranche and take in spectacular views over the bay. This 16th-century fortress houses museums showcasing local art and history. You can also pay a visit to Saint Peter’s Chapel. Decorated by artist Jean Cocteau, this intimate venue features murals depicting the lives of local fishermen and is considered a key landmark in the village.

Discover Villefranche-sur-Mer’s old town, where colorful buildings line narrow streets and small cafés bustle, especially on twice-weekly market days. Explore a variety of stalls offering fresh produce, from fruit and vegetables to cheeses and olive oils.

Recommended length of stay: 2-3 days

Highlights: Citadel of Villefranche • Plage des Marinieres • Old town market

Nestled along the French Riviera, between Nice and Monaco, Saint-Jean-Cap-Ferrat is a picturesque spot that has evolved from humble fishing village to exclusive destination. With high-end restaurants and various cultural events during the year, it is a popular destination.

The village’s natural beauty can be enjoyed when you take a stroll along the Promenade Maurice Rouvier, where stunning views of the Mediterranean Sea can be enjoyed. If you are feeling a little more active, hiking the Sentier du Littoral will give you views over Paloma Plage, one of the most popular beaches on the peninsula.

For a cultural experience, visit the Villa Ephrussi de Rothschild to discover an outstanding art collection and beautiful gardens. Step inside the Chapel of Saint-Hospice and Saint John the Baptist Church, an 11th-century building that is simple in design, yet elegant in decor.

Recommended length of stay: 2-3 days

Highlights: Promenade Maurice Rouvier • Paloma Plage • Villa Ephrussi de Rothschild

Mougins is a picturesque hilltop village in the Alpes-Maritimes region of the Provence-Alps-Côte d'Azur region. A short drive from Cannes, the village is the ideal base from which to explore the French Riviera.

Mougins was once the residence of Picasso and today, its rich art scene and numerous galleries make it a popular destination for art lovers. Visit the Museum of Classical Art to see works by artists like Picasso, Matisse, and Rodin, and the Notre-Dame-de-Vie chapel.

Mougins is a culinary destination with a high concentration of Michelin-starred restaurants, making it a food lover’s paradise. Savor artistically presented French cuisine created with a Mediterranean influence.

Recommended length of stay: 2-3 days

Highlights:  Museum of Classical Art • Notre-Dame-de-Vie • Michelin-star dining options

Explore the medieval town of Saint-Guilhem-le-Désert in the Herault Valley. It has been noted as one of the most beautiful villages in France and is centered around the Gellone Abbey, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. It is said to have been a vital stop on the pilgrimage route to Santiago de Compostela.

The town is steeped in history, with its roots set in 804 by the Count of Toulouse, who happened to be the cousin of the medieval emperor Charlemagne. Local traditions are important to residents. For example, the act of hanging dried cardabelle flowers on their doors is said to protect the home.

The town boasts ancient fountains, some decorated with scallop shells, which symbolize pilgrimage. The town’s natural beauty includes the Haut-Languedoc Regional Nature Park and the Verdus River.

Recommended length of stay: 2-3 days

Highlights: Abbey of Gellone • Place de la Liberte • Haut-Languedoc Regional Nature Park

La Couvertoirade is a picturesque and well-preserved medieval village in the heart of Causse du Larzac. It is one of France’s most beautiful villages, featuring a maze of narrow cobbled streets, ancient stone houses, and impressive fortifications.

The Templar Castle stands strong as the only castle built by the Knights Templar in France. It is characterized by its fortified walls and imposing towers, embodying the defensive style typical of the Knights Templar. The view will provide a panorama of the surrounding Larzac plateau and countryside, including the striking lake of Lac du Salagou, with its vivid red earth and surrounding hills.

Other sites to enjoy in La Couvertoirade include the Church of Saint-Christophe. This 14th-century building is partially carved into the rock and features contemporary stained-glass windows. You can enjoy specialty baked goods, including bread, when visiting the windmill at Le Redounel.

Recommended length of stay: 2-3 days

Highlights: Templar Castle • Church of Saint-Christophe • Windmill at Le Redounel

Enjoy the picturesque seaside town of Palavas-les-Flots in the Herault department. The town is separated by the River Lez, with the canal-side promenade lined with cafés and restaurants ideal for al fresco dining and taking a leisurely stroll.

The town has a picturesque harbor, with colorful boats that evidence its history as a fishing village. It also boasts a four-mile beach along the Mediterranean coast. Natural ponds on the inland side of Palavas-les-Flots attract diverse species, including flamingos, making this an excellent destination for nature enthusiasts and bird watchers.

An iconic feature of Palavas-les-Flots is the Phare de la Méditerranée, or “lighthouse of the Mediterranean.” Featuring a revolving restaurant at the top, during your visit, you will be able to capture panoramic views of the coastline and surrounding areas.

Recommended length of stay: 2-3 days

Highlights: River Lez promenade • Phare de la Méditerranée lighthouse • Natural ponds and wildlife encounters

The charming village of Bouzigues is a highlight when visiting the Languedoc-Roussillon region of southern France. It is situated on the northern shore of the Étang de Thau lagoon, which is connected to the Mediterranean Sea and presents a quaint harbor setting of fishing nets and small boats.

The village is lined with traditional cottages made of local stone, terracotta roof tiles, and brightly colored shutters, giving a timeless, Mediterranean look. Residents grow plants like lavender, rosemary, and olive trees in their small courtyards or gardens.

Bouzigues is renowned for its oyster and mussel farms, with a small museum in the port that is dedicated to the history and techniques of oyster and mussel production. Almost every menu in the village features a bowl of moules gratinées. Mussels are steamed open in white wine, topped with a blend of breadcrumbs, garlic, and herbs, then baked until golden and crispy.

Recommended length of stay: 2-3 days

Highlights: Traditional cottages • Oyster and mussel farms • Traditional mussel dishes

Whether it is a coastal haven or a countryside escape you seek, the top towns in southern France are quaint and charming destinations that offer an insight into the regions’ culture, history, and outstanding natural beauty. Explore hiking trails and fortified citadels, and dive into delicious local cuisine when spending time in the south of France.

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