Gordes is widely considered the most beautiful, iconic, and "nicest" village in Provence, famous for its dramatic, terraced stone houses perched high above the Luberon valley. Other top contenders include Roussillon for its vibrant red ochre cliffs, Moustiers-Sainte-Marie for its dramatic gorge location, and the chic, artistic village of Lourmarin.
Here Are My Top Picks for Where to Stay in Provence: Lourmarin (Staying at Le Moulin), for the best undercover village. Saint-Remy-de-Provence (Staying at Le Saint-Rémy), for the best central location.
Option 1: Aix-en-Provence. In our experience, the best base to stay in Provence with a car is Aix-en-Provence. This bustling yet charming town, located in the heart of the region, offers the perfect balance of good accommodations, things to do in town, and easy access in and out of Aix with minimal traffic.
There are no less than eleven hill-top villages! Venasque, Gigondas, Le Beaucet, Le Barroux, Méthamis, Blauvac, Crillon le Brave, La Roque Alric, La Roque sur Pernes, Sault and Aurel have retained their authentic character!
Antibes: Antibes attracts the wealthy for its combination of luxury, historical charm, and proximity to exclusive yacht harbors and beaches. Saint-Tropez: Renowned for its glamorous reputation, Saint-Tropez attracts the rich and famous with its upscale shopping, private beaches, and vibrant nightlife.
There's no single "nicest" town, as it depends on your preference, but top contenders include the glamorous Saint-Tropez, historic Antibes, elegant Biarritz, charming Cassis, and traditional Villefranche-sur-Mer, with Brittany's Saint-Malo offering a unique walled city experience, and the sunny west coast's Saint Jean de Monts great for families.
While Aix-en-Provence is larger than Arles, Arles has more sights, attractions, and activities for tourists. Arles is very popular for its museums and attractions, nightlife, and historical sights, while Aix-en-Provence attracts visitors for its food and shopping.
Known as the heart of Provence, the Luberon region is located between Avignon and Aix-en-Provence. The Luberon is home to dozens of picture-perfect villages, including the cliffside town of Gordes and the medieval hamlet of Lacoste.
There's much confusion about what actually constitutes the Luberon. For many it's the 'golden triangle' formed by Gordes, Bonnieux and Ménerbes; that was, after all, the area originally discovered in the 1960s by Parisians looking for unspoilt countryside, superb climate and obligingly rustic locals.
The best time to visit Provence is in late spring (May to early July) or early fall (September to mid-October). These shoulder seasons offer ideal weather, vibrant landscapes and the full charm of the region—without the summer crowds or high-season prices.
Trécon, in case you missed it, sounds exactly like "très con" which means "really dumb" or "very stupid" in English. The mayor said that it wasn't uncommon for people to steal his village's road signs - something that many other villages with similarly strange names can relate to.
