I’m a professional travel writer who has visited 45 countries across six continents, but the South of France is my number one favorite place to visit in the world. If you’re planning on spending a few days there, this list will help you decide which of the region’s many attractions to include in your itinerary, from the charming beaches along the Côte d’Azur to the colorful lavender fields and vineyards of the Luberon.
Best Places to Visit: Old Nice, Underrated Hidden Gem: Gordes, Best for Families: Saint-Tropez, Best for Couples: Saint-Jean-Cap-Ferrat, Best for Solo Travelers: Saint-Paul-de-Mausole Monastery
For a complete list of recommended destinations, read below.
Nice Old Town
Wirestock/Getty Images
Nice is a lively seaside city with a beautiful historic center. If you include Old Nice in your itinerary, start with a leisurely stroll along the Promenade des Anglais, then wander the narrow cobblestone streets, admiring the pastel-colored facades and shopping for Niçoise soap. Experience a Provencal market, eat socca (chickpea pancakes) at an outdoor café, and soak up the views from Colline du Château before heading out.
Gordes
Corderal/Getty Images
Gordes is one of the most beautiful small towns in the world, with streets and facades that look like they’ve stepped straight out of the pages of a child’s storybook, so naturally, visitors head straight to this enchanting Luberon village to see its cobbled lanes, white stone buildings and churches.
Saint-Tropez
Atanas Bozhkov-Nasko/Getty Images
A French Riviera hotspot made famous by Brigitte Bardot and other jet-setters in the 1960s, Saint-Tropez remains a vibrant destination today: sun-soaked vacationers flock to its glitzy beach clubs, moor their big yachts in the harbor, shop for cool linens in its boutiques and stroll through its old fishing-village district.
Saint-Jean-Cap-Ferrat
Nick Zass/Getty Images
The upscale commune of Saint-Jean-Cap-Ferrat has long been a magnet for artists and jet-setters with deep pockets and a penchant for privacy. Beautiful villas are tucked away among lush vegetation, while pristine beaches, scenic hiking trails and a yacht-filled harbor characterize this charming destination.
Monastery of Saint-Paul-de-Mausole
Sen Li/Getty Images
If you’re interested in the life and work of Vincent van Gogh, you should visit the Abbey of Saint-Paul-de-Mausole, a monastery converted into a psychiatric hospital in Saint-Rémy-de-Provence where the tormented Dutch artist was treated and where he painted his famous “Starry Night.”
Sainte-Marguerite Island
Maudunroth/Getty Images
Sainte-Marguerite lies about half a mile off the coast of Cannes. In contrast to its mainland neighbour, the largest of the Lérins Islands, it’s small, laid-back and blessed with nature. Expect rocky beaches, turquoise waters, eucalyptus forests and a highly interesting underwater sculpture museum showcasing the work of Jason deCaires Taylor.
Mougins
Gabriel Terin Wise/Getty Images
Charming hilltop towns aren’t hard to find in Provence. Having once attracted Edith Piaf and Christian Dior, Mougins’ enduring charm captivates all who visit. This medieval village features a snail-shaped centre with cobbled lanes and flower-adorned houses, plus large-scale artistic sculptures and award-winning restaurants overlooking the lush countryside.
Opéde le Vieux
Image Brokers / Anna Reinert / Getty Images
In contrast to Gordes’ Disneyland-like atmosphere, Opéde-le-Vieux is a secluded village built on a rock and surrounded by lush trees. Its cobbled streets, staircases and buildings are in varying degrees of disrepair, giving them an old-world charm.
Porquerolles
robixy79/Getty Images
Escape to Porquerolles, off the coast of Hyères, for a peaceful respite, lazing on nearly deserted beaches, swimming in gentle currents, sipping wine in vineyards, cycling through the countryside and exploring old forts.
Notre Dame de Senanque Abbey
Alexander Hafemann/Getty Images
Just outside the tourist-filled centre of Gordes lies the Abbey of Notre-Dame de Sénanque, a photogenic monastery founded by Cistercian monks in 1148. Guided tours of the church and cloisters are available all year round, and the site is at its most beautiful in summer when the lavender fields are in bloom.
Plage des Marinieres
cwrgutierrez / Getty Images
Widely regarded as one of the most beautiful beaches on the Côte d’Azur, the crescent-shaped Plage des Marinières, located in the charming village of Villefranche-sur-Mer, is the perfect place to soak up the sun, stroll along the golden sands and splash around in the blue Mediterranean waters.
Glanum ruins
Fernando Fernandez Barria/Getty Images
Named after the Celtic god Glanum, the archaeological site of Glanum dates back to 600 BC. Located just outside the town of Saint-Rémy-de-Provence, this vast archaeological site allows visitors to walk through the incredible remains of Gaul and Roman settlements.
Le Sentier des Ochers
Filippo Maria Bianchi/Getty Images
The most emblematic and unmissable attraction of the Luberon village of Luciano, Le Sentier des Ocres, a former ochre quarry with a promenade that runs through the rustic hills, is an undoubtedly enchanting photo spot.
Camargue
Francesco Riccardo Iacomino/Getty Images
Located in an unexplored region between the Mediterranean Sea and two branches of the Rhône Delta, the Camargue defies preconceptions with its wildly different landscape: instead of olive groves and vineyards you’ll find salt marshes and reed beds home to free-roaming white horses and pink flamingos.
Lavender fields of the Valensole Plateau
Paula Galindo Valle / Travel + Leisure
Lavender is the symbol of Provence, and the fields of the Valensole plateau, where beautiful, fragrant purple flowers bloom every summer, are one of the region’s most popular and photogenic attractions.
Grasse
Lucentius/Getty Images
Perfume fans will know that the city of Grasse, in the hills behind Cannes on the French Riviera, is known as the perfume capital of France. This sunny village is home to an abundance of rare roses and jasmine for luxury perfume makers, so naturally, it’s home to many perfume factories.
Palais des Papes
Maremagnum/Getty Images
Avignon’s most striking landmark, the enormous Palais des Papes was the residence of the Pope in the 14th century and is considered one of the most important examples of medieval Gothic architecture in all of Europe, complete with ceremonial halls, chapels, cloisters and frescoes.
Mine Blue
Dear / Albert Seoran / Getty Images
At the Blue Mine near Gargas, you can explore a labyrinthine complex of tunnels and galleries in a 19th-century ochre mine, learning about the fascinating mining process as you go, and the cooler temperatures underground make it the perfect escape from the summer sun.
Promenade de la Croisette
Federica Fortunatto/Getty Images
Few places epitomize the charm of the French Riviera quite like the Promenade de la Croisette: the famous palm-lined boulevard that runs alongside the Mediterranean Sea is culminated in the Palais des Festivals et des Congrès, home to the Cannes Film Festival, and is also home to an array of luxury hotels, shops and restaurants.
lighting equipment
François Rochon/Getty Images
For an unforgettable experience that showcases the artistic traditions of Provence, head to the “Lumières Carrières” in Les Baux-de-Provence. Set in an old quarry, this contemporary art centre hosts multimedia shows featuring life-size projections of famous paintings and music.
