From quaint labyrinthine streets and ancient mountainside buildings to flower-filled gardens and picturesque ports, certain villages in the south of France look like they’ve been plucked from a fairytale. Whether tucked along the pretty pine-fringed coast or perched precariously atop a rocky outcrop, there’s even a committee that elects the most charming villages every year. Planning a French getaway? To help you narrow down your choice, we’ve compiled a list of our favourites…
1
Roussillon
Roussillon sits in the middle of one of the largest ochre deposits in Europe and is a must-stop spot for culture fanatics and architecture aficionados. The surrounding russet-coloured cliffs blend beautifully with the village’s burnt-orange buildings, giving it the nickname ‘French Catalonia’. Rich reds, yellows and oranges contrast with the green pine trees and bright blue sky; wander between lofty, teetering chateaux until you reach Place de la Mairie, a charming square surrounded by 18th-century houses. It’s the perfect place to settle down for a languid lunch paired with delicious Languedoc-Roussillon wine.
How to get there: Roussillon is best reached by car, and is situated around an hour’s drive from Avignon, an hour and a half from Marseille and two hours from Montpellier.
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2
Cassis
Nestled in the shadow of a dramatic rocky outcrop, Cassis boasts rows of rainbow-hued fishing houses along its water’s edge. Although you're more likely to rub shoulders with suave Marseillais enjoying a balmy afternoon tipple than sun-creased fisherfolk, this swanky village still has plenty of old-world charm. If you're looking for a spot of adventure while in Cassis, don your boots for an afternoon hike up the rocky escarpment that flanks the calanque (cove) in which it sits, or even explore the surrounding vine-quilted hillsides that produce mouth-watering whites and rosés. Fancy escaping the hustle and bustle of Marseille? Cassis is one of the best villages in the South of France to discover.
How to get there: Cassis is easily reached by car, located around a 35-minute drive from both Marseille and Toulon. There are also direct trains to Cassis from each city, which take around 30 minutes.
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3
Gassin
Gassin’s dinky church acts like a beacon, calling visitors to one of the most charming villages in the south of France. Wander up its winding hillsides, past wisteria shrubs heavy with sweet-smelling flowers and past shutters painted in pretty pastel hues, until you reach a viewpoint that looks out over the glistening Mediterranean. This hillside haven is not far from the ritzy Riviera town of Saint Tropez, and if you’re there during the sunny summer months, you might even catch the beautiful Saint Tropez polo ponies prancing through Gassin’s cobbled streets on the Polo Masters Tour.
How to get there: Gassin is best reached by car, located just over one hour’s drive from Toulon, and a one-hour-and-40-minute drive from Nice.
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4
Port Grimaud
Known as the ‘Venice of the south of France’, Port Grimaud is a pretty village found just outside Saint Tropez. A marshland until the 1960s, its winding waterways have since come to life. Thanks to visionary architecture, Port Grimaud is now a haven for travellers wanting to discover the south of France. Hop aboard a self-sailing boat and explore the crisscross canals from the water, passing pastel-hued Provencal-style houses, arcaded galleries filled with waterfront restaurants and Place du 14 Juin, the oldest area in the port.
How to get there: Port Grimaud is also best reached by car, located just over an hour’s drive from Toulon and around an hour and a half from Nice.
Image by Yann Guichaoua-Photos / Getty Images
5
Gordes
When you daydream about the most beautiful villages in the south of France, chances are you’re imagining Gordes, nestled in the picture-perfect Luberon Valley, just 30 minutes from Avignon. Its terracotta-roofed houses and white-stone buildings are rooted into the sharp cliff faces to create an enchanting labyrinth of calades (cobblestone streets). Remnants of ancient art are dotted throughout the village, and a visit to le Chateau de Gordes is a must for those wanting to dive into the Middle Ages and the golden Renaissance architecture.
How to get there: Gordes is easily reached by car from Avignon, in around one hour and 15 minutes from Marseille, or in over two hours from Montpellier.
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6
Eze
Eager to step back in time? Villages in this area don’t get much more charming than the sleepy Medieval gem of Eze, just under 30 minutes from Nice. This pristine 14th-century village is perched precariously on an impossibly steep peak, complete with whisper-quiet, winding alleyways and Amalfi-esque views. Tuck into an al fresco lunch at Fort de la Revere, a WWII prisoner camp, or venture to the Jardin Exotique d’Eze, a cactus garden with a wild panorama of the surrounding landscape.
How to get there: The easiest way to reach Eze is from nearby Nice, either via a direct 15-minute train (followed by a short, steep walk) or around a 30-minute drive.
Image by Sylvain Sonnet / Getty Images
Written by Immy Kelly | Header image by Kinga Krzeminska / Getty Images
