France ranks among the most popular tourist destinations in all of Europe — of course, there are remarkable destinations in the country that gave us boeuf bourguignon, the Eiffel Tower, and Champagne. But with alluring beaches along the Côte d’Azur, magical lavender fields, and the vineyards of the Luberon, the South of France is one of the best places to visit all on its own. I’m a professional travel writer who’s been to 45 countries across six continents, and it’s my absolute favourite place in the world to visit. If you’re planning on spending even just a few days in Le Midi, this list will help you choose which of the region’s many, many highlights to include in your itinerary.
The 20 best places in South France you should have on your itinerary
Gordes
One of the best places in South France, Gordes is also one of the most beautiful small towns in the world, with roads and facades that seem to have sprung from the pages of a children’s storybook. Unsurprisingly, tourists beeline to this enchanting Luberon village to see — and snap photos of — its cobbled lanes, white stone buildings, and churches.
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Saint-Tropez
A French Riviera hotspot put on the map by Bridget Bardot and other members of the jet-set pack in the 1960s, Saint-Tropez still sizzles. Sun-kissed holiday goers crowd glamorous beach clubs here, moor their mega yachts in the harbour, shop for breezy linens at the boutiques, and traipse around the old fishing quarter.
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Abbaye Notre-Dame de Sénanque
Just outside the tourist-trodden centre of Gordes lies Abbaye Notre-Dame de Sénanque, a photogenic monastery founded in 1148 by Cistercians monks. Guided tours of the church and cloisters are available throughout the year. When the lavender fields bloom in the summer, this site reaches peak prettiness.
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Île Sainte-Marguerite
Île Sainte-Marguerite floats about half a mile (0.8 km) offshore from Cannes. In contrast to its mainland neighbour, the largest of the Lérins Islands is small, slow-paced, and steeped in nature. Expect rocky beaches, turquoise waters, and a eucalyptus forest, as well as a very interesting underwater sculpture museum.
Mougins
It’s not hard to find enchanting hilltop towns in Provence. The enduring charm of Mougin that lured Edith Piaf and Christian Dior enamours all who visit. This medieval village has a snail-shaped centre with cobbled lanes and flower-clad houses, plus large-scale art sculptures and award-winning restaurants overlooking the leafy countryside.
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Oppède le Vieux
In stark contrast to the Disneyland-like atmosphere of Gordes, Oppède le Vieux is an under-the-radar village that’s built atop rocks and surrounded by overgrown trees. The stone pathways, steps, and structures here are in various degrees of ruin, which imbues a time-worn charm.
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Porquerolles
Escape to Porquerolles, off the coast of Hyères, for a peaceful respite that can include time lazing on near-empty beaches, swimming in placid tides, sipping your way through vineyards, cycling in the countryside, and wandering through old forts.
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Plage des Marinières
Widely considered to be one of the most beautiful beaches in the French Riviera, crescent-shaped Plage des Marinières in the darling village of Villefranche-sur-Mer is the perfect spot for a day of basking in the sun, strolling across golden sand, and splashing in the blue waters of the Mediterranean Sea.
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Saint-Jean-Cap-Ferrat
The exclusive commune of Saint-Jean-Cap-Ferrat has long attracted the attention of artists and jet setters with deep pockets and a desire for privacy. Exquisite villas are obscured from sight by lush vegetation. Pristine beaches, scenic hiking trails, and a yacht-filled harbour define this desirable destination.
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Site Archéologique de Glanum
Named after the Celtic god Glanis, Site Archéologique de Glanum traces its roots back to 600 BC. It’s at this extensive site just outside the town of Saint-Rémy-de-Provence that visitors can walk through remarkable surviving remains of both Gaulish and Roman settlements.
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Le Sentier des Ocres
The most iconic and unmissable sight in the Luberon village of Roussilian, Le Sentier des Ocres is a former ochre quarry with walking paths through rust-hued hills. The setting certainly provides spellbinding photo ops.
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Vieux Nice
One of the best places in South France, Nice is a vibrant seaside city with a lovely historic core. If Vieux Nice is on your itinerary, begin with the Promenade des Anglais, then wander through the narrow cobblestone streets, admiring the pastel-hued facades and shopping for Niçoise soaps. Experience a Provencale market, grab a socca (chickpea pancake) at one of the outdoor cafes, and soak in the views from Colline du Château before you depart.
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Camargue
The untamed region between the Mediterranean Sea and the two branches of the Rhône River delta, Camargue defies preconceptions with its vastly different landscape. Rather than olive groves and grape vines, expect salt marshes and reed beds inhabited by free-roaming white horses and pink flamingos.
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Valensole plateau lavender fields
Lavender is the emblem of Provence. The fields on the Valensole Plateau that erupt into a fragrant and gorgeous purple bloom each summer are some of the most popular — and photogenic — attractions in the region.
Grasse
Fragrance fans are no doubt familiar with Grasse, a French Riviera town in the hills behind Cannes that’s considered the perfume capital of the world. Rare roses and jasmine for designer luxury scent makers grow in this sunny village. It’s also home to many perfumeries.
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Monastery Saint-Paul de Mausole
If you’re at all interested in the life and work of Vincent Van Gogh, consider a visit to Monastery Saint-Paul de Mausole. This is the monastery-turned-psychiatric facility in Saint-Rémy-de-Provence where the tortured Dutch artist sought treatment and famously painted “The Starry Night.”
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Palais des Papes
One of the best places in South France, the standout attraction in Avignon, the enormous Palais des Papes served as a pontifical residence in the 14th century. It’s also on the shortlist of the most significant medieval Gothic buildings in all of Europe, with ceremonial halls, chapels, a cloister, and frescos.
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Mines Bruoux
Mines Bruoux, near Gargas, gives visitors the chance to tour a maze-like complex of tunnels and galleries in a 19th-century ochre mine. You will learn about the fascinating mining process as you go. The cool underground temperature provides a reprieve from the summer sun, too.
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Promenade de la Croisette
Few places embody French Riviera glamour quite like Promenade de la Croisette. Running along the Mediterranean Sea, the famous palm-fringed thoroughfare is crowned by Palais des Festivals et des Congrès, which hosts the Cannes Film Festival, and you’ll find many upmarket hotels, shops, and restaurants here as well.
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Carrières de Lumières
For an unforgettable experience that speaks to Provence’s artistic pedigree, head to Carrières de Lumières in Les Baux-de-Provence. Housed in an old quarry, this contemporary art centre hosts multimedia shows that combine larger-than-life projections of famous paintings and music.
(Hero and image credit: Alexander Hafemann/Getty Images)
This story first appeared on travelandleisure.com
Related: 25 Most Beautiful Places In Europe — From Colourful Small Towns To Secret Beaches
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