Between the sea and the mountains, Provence is blessed with a wealth of picturesque villages where Provencal culture and traditions still reign supreme. Set off on an expedition just a few kilometers by car from the city of Marseille. Marseille Secrète presents its Top 10 most beautiful Provencal villages to discover or rediscover.
1. Ansouis
This pretty perched village has been listed as one of “France’s most beautiful villages” since 1999. Narrow streets, santon stores and typical Provencal calades, as well as museums and castles, await you for a real journey back in time.
55 minutes by car from Marseille
2. Lourmarin
Located in the Parc Naturel Régional du Luberon, this magnificent village of 1,131 inhabitants is renowned for its listed château. Raoul Dautry, Albert Camus and Henri Bosco all lived in Lourmarin. To find out more about the beautiful village of Lourmarin, click here!
1 hour’s drive from Marseille
3. Roussillon
Nicknamed the Colorado Provençal, the Roussillon region lies at the heart of the world’s largest ochre deposit. A rainbow of orange colors make this a magical place of picturesque staircases and colorful facades.
1h20 drive from Marseille
4. Gordes
Also in the Parc Naturel Régional du Luberon, Gordes is classified as one of France’s most beautiful villages. Some time ago, he was even appointed most beautiful village in the world. A typical Provencal hilltop village, don’t forget to visit its château and the Sénanque abbey, as well as its producers of olive oil, wine and regional produce.
1h10 drive from Marseille
5. Les Baux de Provence
Located in the Alpilles mountains, the village of Les Baux de Provence is certainly one of the most beautiful in France. Home to artisan workshops and small shops, the village also boasts a Santon museum and a superb château. The village’s name comes from the mineral bauxite, which is very present in the region’s soil. Don’t miss the famous Carrières de Lumières where you can discover an interactive exhibition by Gaudí and Dalí.
1 hour’s drive from Marseille
6. Ménerbes
Situated atop a rocky massif surrounded by vineyards, the village of Ménerbes is famous for its wine and truffle production. You can still feel the Provencal art of living. Come and see the beautiful 16th and 17th century residences, still standing, and the Saint-Hilaire abbey , half-built into the rock.
1h10 drive from Marseille
7. Moustiers-Sainte-Marie
On the way to the Gorges du Verdon, it’s impossible to miss Moustiers-Sainte Marie. Nestled in the hollow of a cliff, this magnificent village of cobbled streets and stone houses is bisected by a waterfall! And don’t forget to recharge your batteries with a taste of typical Provencal cuisine. Known for its earthenware production, the village boasts a dozen workshops.
1h45 drive from Marseille
8. Bargème
This 12th-century medieval village offers panoramic views over the valley from its 1097-meter altitude. A way to step back into the Middle Ages and discover a feudal village. Ramparts, towers, fortified gates… Almost all the vestiges of the past have been preserved!
2h10 drive from Marseille
9. Seillans
Its hillside houses, arched lanes and small squares make it a typically Provencal village. You’ll instantly fall under the spell of this ochre-colored medieval village.
2 hours by car from Marseille
10. Montbrun-les-Bains
Overlooking lavender fields, Montbrun-les-bains boasts the remains of an ancient medieval castle. This beautiful village is now known for the benefits of its thermal spring dating back to antiquity.
2 hours by car from Marseille
