Yet another hilltop stunner, Gordes is easily one of the most charming towns in all of France. Thats quite a lot of foot traffic for a thousand + year old commune.If youre someone who likes to interact with art rather than stare at it from a distance behind a red velvet rope; Les Baux has an art inspired sensory experience like no other in the world. Visit once and youll understand why literary figures have chosen Provence as their home. Most Nice locals simply hop on a scooter (20 mins), especially on weekends! This is the biggest area in France devoted to growing lavender so if youre dreaming of visiting the lavender fields in Provence, Valensole is the perfect base for discovering the area. You can find several amazing cafes and restaurants in Roussillon featuring delicious local delicacies dont forget to try the lavender ice cream which is the specialty of the Provence region! Ten of the suites have private plunge pools. Nice is a popular entry point to the French Riviera, with plenty of things to do around the main square in town. Whitestown, Indiana. The neo-gothic Chteau has eight hotel bedrooms, decorated in classic French style, with vintage chandeliers and art nouveau mirrors. Saint-Antonin-Noble-Val. Its also home to the well-renowned art museum, Fondation Maeght. To see magnificent castles and walled structures in the South of France, look no further than Carcassonne. Plan your French sightseeing itinerary with our list of the best places to visit in the South of France. The lavender season generally lasts from mid-June to mid-July so this is definitely the best time to visit Valensole if you want to see blooming lavenders. For Southern France with a twist, try the island of Corsica here, the town of Sartne impresses with its granite architecture, hilly setting and, by extension, its far-reaching views of the islands rugged mountainous landscape. [x-cloak]{display:none!important}. By clicking Accept All Cookies, you agree to the storing of cookies on your device to enhance site navigation, analyze site usage, and assist in our marketing efforts. Biarritz has been a resort town since the 1800s and theHtel du Palais, commissioned by Empress Eugenie de Montijo, wife of Napoleon III, arguably put it on the map. Other essential sights to see in Marseille are the Basilique Notre-Dame de la Garde, Calanques National Park, the Muse dHistoire de Marseille, and Boulevard Longchamp. Recommended by Nadinefrom Le Long Weekend. Sitting on the French Riviera, Menton is a direct neighbour to Monaco and sits on the French-Italian border. A large decommissioned limestone quarry called Carrires de Lumires, is an 11 minute walk from the commune. Avignon is packed with history and fascinating architecture, making it an ideal destination for sightseeing. Saint-Jean-de-Luz, southwestern France. Avignon. Avignon. Throughout the estate, youll find pieces from artists like Louise Bourgeois and Alexander Calder. Looking through crumbling rock steeped in history, travelers see the yachts that line the Monaco harbor. Villefranche-sur-Mer is a charming commune on the French Riviera, just on the outskirts of Nice. Nestled spitting distance from Nice and conveniently close to Monaco, ze is the small French town of your dreams. The Romans took rule of the region sometime before 28BC, and during that time they built an amphitheatre, several temples and the famous Pont du Gard sitting which carried water through the region, sitting 20km outside the city.The amphitheatre is one of the best preserved in the world and almost mirrors the Coliseum in Rome, except for it being slightly smaller and shorter.Nmes amphitheatre is still used today, with music videos and filmmakers making use of the Roman arena, and the French music festival, Festival de Nmes taking place in the arena ever summer since 1997. The Villa La Coste Spa offers a la carte treatments or half/full day programs. Its the biggest producer of AOC ros winesbottling even more ros-all-day than its neighbor to the east, Provence. Beautiful Small Towns in Southeastern France Villefranche-sur-Mer. Whitestown describes itself as an ag-urban community, noting its location near farmland, retail and businesses. Head to the Old Port to be in the middle of the action here. Thanks for sharing! There is no shortage of restaurants, cafes, and shops either, where you can find many crafts and traditional products, especially ones made from lavender. Nearby, youll find the famed Abbey de Senanque which is surrounded by lavender fields in summer, and the not-so-well-known Village des Bories which is a fascinating look at the areas history. Although it is close to many of the most popular chateaux in the Loire Valley, Amboise is a destination in its own right. Secondly, the buildings in the Old Town of Menton are really picturesque, they are all painted with ochre colors and have cute louvered shutters. Its located just 20 minutes from the town and airport of Bergerac and a little more off the beaten track than some of the more popular villages in France. Its just a shame I ruined my new found love for Olives in Monaco where I devoured a packet of budget Olives in fear of them going to waste. American novelist, playwright and essayistJames Baldwin, for example, produced prolific work from his house surrounded by gardens in Saint-Paul de Vence. . You can book tailored treatments at the Biologique Recherche, or a lunch or dinner rez at one of three onsite restaurants, including the just-opened Moon Room. Outside of. Antibes Antibes is a charming coastal French town that Picasso lived in for six months in the 1940s. Ive put together this list in the hopes that future travellers make the time to reach out of their comfort zones and make the journey to more rural areas of France. Aveyron, located about 6 hours south of Paris, has some of the most striking small towns in France. If you are unable to cook it you can eat it on the spot or as you wander the town. Plan your French sightseeing itinerary with our list of the best places to visit in the South of France. "@type": "Organization", These Small Towns in France Are Straight Out of a Storybook Gordes, Provence. Aveyron, located about 6 hours south of Paris, has some of the most striking small towns in France. Sandwiched between Marseille and Toulon in southern France lies the tiny town of Cassis, which often gets Saint-Jean-de-Luz. Because what else do you do when, Read More Sail Croatia Navigator CruiseContinue, There is nothing quite like reliving memories through the art of writing. Nmes is located between the Mediterranean Sea and the Cvennes mountains in Southern France.If youve ever wanted to travel to two countries at once, Nmes is closest you will get for experiencing French culture while surrounded by Roman architecture. Fairytale-looking medieval villages, hilltop views, majestic castles, vineyards, lavender fields, pastel-colored buildings along the coastline these are just a few of the many reasons why you need to spend at least a few days in the French countryside. However, ze, Cassis, and Colmar are often considered some of the most beautiful small towns in France. For an excursion, hop on a bike and cycle along the canal to the seaside town of Gruissan and stop to explore local artisan shops along the way. Cognac makes a perfect stop along a French road trip. 5 towns to visit in the South of France that will make you feel like Belle 1ze. "logo": "https://www.tripstodiscover.com/wp-content/themes/sage/public/images/logo.svg" Wander through the medieval streets and browse through the souvenir shops. "dateModified": "2023-04-26 22:58:45", Recommended by Karen from Where I Wandered. 8. All rights reserved. It really depends on what you want to do. You might feel like youve stepped into another time period altogether, but you can still do some shopping while youre at it. Menton is a smaller town that attracts fewer tourists than Nice, so you can usually find a nice spot on the amazing beach, too. Look out for our newsletters in your inbox soon. Saint-Jean-de-Luz, southwestern France. If you fancy, you can also visit the Fragonard Perfume Factory which is located within a short walking distance from the entrance of the gardens. Arcachon is set inside the protected Arcachon Bay, not far from the wine-rich city of Bordeaux. You can even walk if you like, that would take an hour. If you want to escape the hustle and bustle of the big cities and looking for an authentic French experience, you are in the right place! The restaurants inside the medieval town mostly cater to tourists so instead of eating there, its better to have lunch at the restaurant Hostellerie Maleville on the river. If youre spending time on the French Riviera, check out these insider tips for the best 23 things to do on the French Riviera! Only 45 minutes from Avignon Les Baux is a perfect day trip destination for anyone bouncing between any of the larger cities in Southern France.Sitting among the beauty of Les Baux is also extensive history dating back to 6000BC. Avignon is a small town located in southern France, known best as the 12th-century residence of the papacy. Start your journey in this top vacation destination in France by wandering the streets of the old town, where you'll pass charming cafes and shops, then visit the Picasso Museum. French starchitect Phillipe Starck designed the hotel to feel open and immersed in the surrounding light and nature. Are there Valensole is built on the side of a hill, overlooking a small river valley so beautiful views are guaranteed. However, if you get off the main routes, youll find some really charming restaurants, beach bars, and shops. In the Old Town, theres an imposing keep named Cesar Tower that is worth a visit. Outside Grenoble, near the border of Italy and Switzerland, is the beautiful mountain town of Villard-de-Lans. Thanks for sharing ! Our research is editorially independent but we Lovely post, missing south of France ! It was dedicated mostly to the trade of tissues and thanks to its central location in Europe and the Counts protection it became very rich to the point that it had its own coin. Marseille is a large and busy city that isnt exactly relaxing for your vacation in the South of France, but it certainly will make it exciting. Nestled spitting distance from Nice and conveniently close to Monaco, ze is the small French town of your dreams. It takes just a few days to discover fields brimming with lavender (usually mid-June to mid-July) and the Carrires de Lumires, a former quarry that now features works of art projected onto the underground cave walls and accompanied with music. 1. Provence's lavender fields are a few hour's drive from the Cote d'Azur for a unique mix of scenery. 1. Top 10 Water Park Resorts in Phoenix & Scottsdale, 11 Best Extended Stay Hotels in Las Vegas, 11 Romantic Airbnbs in Paris with Eiffel Tower Views, 10 Best Hotels in Vero Beach, FL Near the Ocean, 12 Best Four Seasons Resorts Around the World, 10 Best Hotels Near Petco Park in San Diego, CA, 11 Best Hotels Near Truist Park in Atlanta, Georgia, Top 9 Extended Stay Hotels in Pensacola, Florida. It was while living here he discovered his inspiration for and painted Starry Night. Eze. Since the town is really popular among tourists, its best to go early in the morning otherwise finding a parking spot will be very difficult. In the winter, people come to ski the snowy slopes, while the summer offers plentiful hiking and the area's finest fare (don't miss a visit to the twice-weekly farmers market). In the heart of Languedoc, just outside the medival city of Narbonne,Chteau de l'Hospitalet is an ideal home base for wine tourism. The town features the Abbey Church of Sainte-Foy as its center of art and spirituality. And dont forget to look up to see the storks nests sitting precariously on top of the chimneys in some places! St Jean Pied de Port. Built into a rocky outcropping that's part of the Alpilles mountain chain, the setting of Les Baux-de-Provence is rugged and wildly impressive. Come here to experience white sand beaches and locally owned restaurants. The town itself showcases a palette of pastel-colored buildings and a great selection of sidewalk cafes that are ideal for people-watching. However, ze, Cassis, and Colmar are often considered some of the most beautiful small towns in France. Getting around Southern France doesnt have to be difficult. Menton can easily be visited as a day trip from Nice but if you want to properly discover the town, its best to spend at least 2 days there. Throughout history, artists like Modigliani, Matisse and Picasso were captivated by the nature and light of the Cte d'Azur, or the French Rivieraa region characterized by sea, mountains, and more than 300 annual days of sunshine. Or, to explore the river a little further, hire a canoe and go paddling down the Charente. Explore the 1000-year-old medieval hilltop village, passing through the honeycomb-colored buildings, houses, and souvenir shop. Inspiration for and painted Starry Night souvenir shop the border of Italy and,... 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