The 5 Most Beautiful Villages in Provence
Updated: September 2025 • Written by Beaurouge’s Provence-based guides
Provence is a land of light, fragrance, and timeless charm.
Hilltop hamlets, pastel façades, cypress-lined roads, and the scent of thyme at noon—this is where time slows and the good life begins.
At Beaurouge, we don’t just list villages; we connect them into effortless days that feel unhurried and deeply personal.
We particularly love arriving early, when shutters open and cafés set their tables, or staying late for that soft, honeyed light.
Explore the five villages we return to again and again—or let us weave them into a tailor-made Provence itinerary with a private guide and driver so you can simply enjoy the moment.
Jump to: Gordes • Roussillon • Les Baux • Lourmarin • Moustiers • When to visit
1. Gordes
Perched dramatically on the Vaucluse plateau, Gordes is a Provence postcard made real. Cobblestone lanes spiral toward a Renaissance château, and every turn frames the Luberon in wide, cinematic views. In summer, cicadas provide the soundtrack; in winter, the stone glows a soft, silvery beige.
We particularly love the quiet of early morning—shutters opening, bakery baskets arriving, fresh apricots at the market. Pair Gordes with Abbaye de Sénanque when lavender blooms for a scene that feels timeless. Prefer calmer streets? We’ll time your visit outside peak hours and guide you to the best viewpoints for photos.
Want this folded into a seamless day? Explore our Provence tours or start from our curated tours.
2. Roussillon
A village painted by the earth itself, Roussillon glows in ochres—gold, saffron, copper. Walk the Sentier des Ocres, where former quarries have become sculptural landscapes, then linger over lemonade beneath the plane trees while façades shift with the light.
We particularly love late-afternoon visits: the palette deepens to reds and the village hum softens. Wear neutral shoes—the ochre dust leaves its mark (a charming one, we think). Families enjoy how easy it is to mix color, short walks, and ice-cream stops on a flexible Provence family itinerary.
Prefer photography angles over crowds? We’ll adjust the loop in real time and add a nearby viewpoint for sunset.
3. Les Baux-de-Provence
Crowned by a ruined citadel, Les Baux rises above silvery olive groves and pale limestone. Narrow lanes, chapels, and terraces open to sweeping views across the Alpilles—a landscape of wind and light beloved by painters.
We particularly love pairing the village with the immersive Carrières de Lumières, an art-and-music show in monumental quarries—a unique way to cool off on hot days. Prefer gentler walks? We’ll tailor the route and add a tasting at a family-run olive mill or winery in the valley.
Thread in Saint-Rémy’s market or Roman sites with our curated tours for a day that balances culture and scenery.
4. Lourmarin
At the foot of the Luberon, Lourmarin blends Renaissance elegance with daily village life: a château with refined lines, shady squares, fountain chatter, and a Friday market that feels like a neighborhood gathering.
We particularly love long lunches here—simple plates done well, a glass of local white, and time to browse galleries and bookshops. Writers loved it too; you’ll feel why. If you enjoy gentle, meandering days, this is your base.
Add a vineyard visit or a sunset drive over the ridge with our Provence cultural tours.
5. Moustiers-Sainte-Marie
Cradled between cliffs near the Verdon Gorge, Moustiers-Sainte-Marie is famed for fine faïence and a golden star suspended high above. Bridges, cascades, and stone lanes make it effortlessly photogenic, with cafés that seem designed for lingering.
We particularly love coupling a village stroll with time at Lac de Sainte-Croix—swimming, paddling, or simply watching the light change. For walkers, the path toward the chapel offers sweeping views without feeling strenuous; we’ll pace it to your day.
Make it a full day with our Provence experiences—we handle timings, parking, and the best stops.
When to Visit & How to Combine Them
For softer light and fewer visitors, we like spring and late summer into early fall. Markets are part of the experience—fresh fruit, goat cheese, olive oils—so we plan around market days and driving times. Parking can be tight in peak season; with Beaurouge we book ahead, monitor traffic live, and adjust on the fly.
A favorite loop pairs Gordes and Roussillon with a vineyard lunch in the Luberon; another combines Les Baux with Saint-Rémy and an olive mill. For lake-and-village days, Moustiers with the Verdon is unbeatable. Tell us what you love (art, easy walks, family time), and we’ll curate the right rhythm.
Discover Provence with Beaurouge
These five villages pair beautifully—morning in one, golden hour in another, a vineyard or olive mill in between. We design door-to-door days with licensed guides and trusted drivers so you can simply enjoy the views, stories, and flavors.
Provence Villages — FAQ
When is the best time to visit?
We love late April–June and September–October: softer light, easier parking, and lively markets without peak-season queues.
How many villages in one day?
Two to three works best. A favorite loop is Gordes + Roussillon with a vineyard lunch in the Luberon.
Do I need a car?
Public transport is limited between hilltop villages. With Beaurouge, a driver-guide makes timing and parking effortless.
Can we see lavender the same day?
Yes in season (roughly mid-June to mid-July near Sénanque). We’ll time fields and light around your route.
Ready to plan? Browse our Provence tours or contact us directly via Contact.
