Provence’s most beautiful villages

The villages of Provence are highly atypical, enriched by their medieval history. There are hundreds of them, and each one is fascinating for its architecture, the beauty of its landscapes or its culture. Often located in remote coastal locations, the number of things to do in the surrounding area is on a par with coastal towns. Given their sheer number, it’s hard to choose. Nevertheless, we’ve selected a few that are well worth a visit, despite their geographical distance from our campsites in the Var. You can’t go on vacation without visiting one. What’s more, in this milder season, the crowds are lower and it’s more pleasant to visit these places.

Valensole

Lavender is the emblem of Provence. If you love the scent of lavender from the little sachets at the back of your cupboard, and its color is synonymous with sweetness, escape for a moment in the middle of a field filled with these purple stems. The hinterland of Provence, between the Verdon, Bléone and Durance valleys, dons its coat of color for a few weeks in summer, titillating our olfactory and visual senses.

Ste Croix de Verdon

The village of Sainte Croix, situated at an altitude of 513m, overlooks the lake from a rocky spur. With its pretty, typical houses, 16th-century church and the remains of a medieval castle, Sainte Croix is a commune synonymous with discovery. The village’s name probably derives from its church, which claimed to house a relic of Christ’s cross.

Sainte Croix has become a well-known holiday destination. Many holidaymakers come here to take advantage of all the surrounding activities and to relax in the green. The village sits atop a rocky outcrop at the entrance to the Baudinard Gorge, where you can marvel at the magnificent panoramic views of the lake and sunsets.

Moustier-Sainte-Marie

The sacred village is home to the Notre Dame de Beauvoir chapel, built in the^5th century. With its star suspended in the void and nestled between two cliffs, Moustiers, a 3-star village in bloom, is often compared to a crib. Moustiers has been awarded the “Villages et cités de caractère” label and is part of the Verdon regional nature park.

Known the world over for its earthenware, you’ll love strolling through its cobbled streets and discovering its stone houses, waterfall that bisects the village and fountains. You can also stop for lunch at one of the village’s restaurants, where you can sample Provencal cuisine to the delight of your taste buds.

Castellane

Located upstream from the Gorges du Verdon, Castellane is a very old town. It is one of 46 communes belonging to the Verdon Regional Nature Park. It boasts two reservoirs: Castillon and Chaudanne.

The Notre-Dame du Roc chapel, also a listed site from the early Middle Ages, towers 184 metres above the town. From here, you have a magnificent view of the ramparts, the Pont Napoléon and the entrance to the Gorges du Verdon. As you climb to visit the chapel, you’ll be able to see the outline of the walls of Petra Castellana, the ancient town above the present one, which is still clearly visible.

Le Castellet

The village of Le Castellet, at an altitude of 250 meters, offers magnificent views over the northern part of the Sainte-Baume massif. It’s a vast commune overlooking plains and wine-growing hillsides. It comprises the medieval village of Castellet-village, where the town hall is located, and 3 villages or hamlets spaced fairly far apart: Le Plan, Le Brûlat and Sainte-Anne. Each has its own church and square.

Le Castellet is a member of the Communauté d’Agglomération Sud Sainte Baume. It boasts a centuries-old heritage, a terroir full of flavors and narrow streets of authentic charm. The village is also famous for its Paul Ricard racetrack. You can also take part in a wide range of activities, including golf, hiking, cycling, horse-riding and discovering winegrowing estates.

Bormes-les-Mimosas

The village of Bormes-les-Mimosas is one of France’s most beautiful sites. History and architecture enthusiasts will marvel at its rich heritage dating back to the ^12th century.

Stroll the aisles of its market and sample the specialities of Provence: sun-drenched fruit and vegetables from the fields and valleys nearby, and farmhouse cheeses fill the stalls.

When you visit Bormes les Mimosas, you’ll find 22 km of coastline to discover, between creeks and sandy beaches, from which you can admire the Fort de Brégançon. Let yourself be seduced by the charm of this Provencal village as you stroll through its vineyards, but that’s not all! You can enjoy cycling, water sports, diving and sailing.

Sillans-le-Cascade

Sillans-la-Cascade is a charming village 20 minutes from Lac de Sainte-Croix. It boasts a number of fine buildings, including the church of St. Etienne, the ramparts and the château, which has been undergoing renovation since it was acquired by the commune.

A short walk will take you to the Bresque river, which flows between the cliffs, forming a lovely 42m-high waterfall. This protected site, which has made the village famous, is very popular with tourists.

The waterfall can be admired from a belvedere, making it easy to admire the cascade without taking a dip. Sillans-la-Cascade also offers cycling tours for the more sporty among you.