The Top 10 Villages in Provence-Alpes-Côte d’Azur

Moustiers-Sainte-Marie, jewel of the Verdon, is a typical Provençal village and one of the prettiest in France. The harmonious pastel colored buildings that are squeezed between two rocky peaks still include the ramparts and aqueducts, various fountains and a church. This unchanged village is most famous for its earthenware, a long tradition that continues today in the many shops and artisan workshops in the narrow streets.

And there are plenty of restaurants selling local Verdon specialties. If you want to add some exercise and nature onto your trip, Moustieres-Sainte-Marie is not far from the Verdon Regional Natural Park (Parc Naturel Régional du Verdon) or the Haute Provence Geopark (le Géoparc de Haute-Provence).

Gourdon is a medieval village with a lot of history. perched on a rocky outcrop looking out over the Dordogne. When you arrive in the village through its fortified gates you'll see steep narrow streets and beautiful half-timbered houses which reflect the wealth of the weavers and cloth sellers who used to live there.

At the top of the village, where a castle and its fortifications once stood, there is a huge malecon with 360° views over the Perigord and Bouriane countryside stretching as far as the eye can see. If you'd like a little shade, go down to the Butte Gardens, (les jardins de la Butte) a series of gardens that display how gardens have changed over the ages.

Lourmarin is a pretty Provençal village with three belfries, one on the clock tower, one on the church and one on the Protestant church (known locally as a Temple), which is the biggest in Vaucluse. Both Albert Camus and Henri Bosco loved this peaceful place, which is set at the end of a road bordered with plane trees.

Although its fame is mostly due to these two writers, the village is full of pretty houses, and lots of cafes where you can sit and watch the world go by. There is also a castle, part medieval and part Renaissance, which is now a busy arts foundation.

Bargème is 1,097 meters above sea level, making it the highest village in Var, as well as being a pretty medieval town full of stone buildings. Unfortunately only the towers and other ruins remain of Sabran-de-Pontevès castle (le château Sabran-de-Pontevès) which was destroyed during the wars of religion.

The 12th century church of St Nicholas (église Saint-Nicolas) is also worth a look. Inside it has recently been restored to its Romanesque glory. There are lots of chapels and fortifications to be explored in the narrow streets and surrounding country, including the Chapel of St Antony (la chapelle Saint-Antoine) which is considered one of the prettiest in Var.

Èze is perched at the top of an impressively high cliff, offering stunning views, ancient streets, blond stone houses and a superb exotic botanical garden. You'll love this medieval village filled with beautifully restored buildings and historic fountains as well as plenty of artisan's shops and a botanical garden featuring cacti and grasses in the shadow of the old castle.

When you've finished seeing the village try walking down the Nietzsche path (Chemin Frédéric-Nietzsche) to the sea with magnificent views down to the sea, the forest, the Col d'Èze (great for stargazing) and of course, back up to the village.

Peille, less than 20 km from Monaco, is a pretty village that you can admire from the many walks around it. Backing onto the mountain, it is full of narrow streets, small squares and grand medieval houses as well as its gothic fountains.

You can still see vestiges of the fortifications, the 16th-century courthouse and the Palais des Lascaris. If you climb to the top of the belvedere you can see over the tops of the thick pine and oak forests, which may also encourage you to try one of the 5 signposted walks.

Gigondas is a pretty village that is known first and foremost for the grands crus wines produced from its immense vineyards. It is built at the bottom of a hill but from the courtyard outside its church there is a fabulous view of the surrounding vineyards, as well as the moutains that mark the end of the Vaucluse moutains (les monts du Vaucluse). Obviously you'll want to taste the wine in some of the town's cellars but don't forget to stroll round the pretty streets and check out the contemporary artists on the stairs to the Hospice.

This is also worth a visit, having been recently restored by local winemakers, groups and authorities with the aim of preserving its exceptional heritage. Once you've done that, all that's left is dreaming about climbing some of the neighboring heights.

Sainte-Agnès is a typically Mediterranean seaside village that happens to be 800 meters above sea level with an amazing view of the Côte d’Azur. It is the highest coastal village in Europe and, as well as the view, has arched passageways and stone houses as well as being home to lots of artists and artisans. At the top of the village there are the ruins of a medieval castle, and for military history buffs, the fort that was built as part of the Maginot Line.

And don't forget the little medieval garden sheltering under the ramparts. There are also sculpture and painting exhibitions and museums celebrating local culture and traditions, as well as the results of the archeological digs at the castle.

Saint Paul de Vence is an old stone village with sublime views all the way down to the sea whose old stones recount the rich past. It's not surprising it's inspired many artists. At the entrance to the village is the boules court where Lino Ventura and Yves Montand, among many other celebrities, once played. As you walk through the narrow streets you'll see beautiful stone houses, grand arcades, narrow staircases and pretty fountains.

There are numerous art galleries celebrating the rich Provençal heritage. Lots of artists still come here, following in the footsteps of Modigliani, Matisse and Utrillo, drawn by its special light. So don't leave Saint Paul de Vence without visiting the famous Fondation Maeght where you can see masterpieces by artists like Chagall, Bonnard and Léger.

Roussillon faces the Luberon below the Vaucluse Mountains (les monts du Vaucluse), and is a charming mixture of warm reds and ochres, a show-piece for the impressive ochre quarries in the region. Bathed in the exceptional local light, the pretty red buildings really stand out against the blue sky and green pines around them.

Enjoy all the shades the village offers as you walk up to the top of the castle (Castrum) for a magnificent view over the surrounding countryside. This village has inspired many artists so as you walk up you'll find galleries and workshops, as well as the Church of St Michael (l’église Saint-Michel) and the Clock tower ( la tour de l’Horloge), and not forgetting the restaurants that serve delicious local specialties by well known chefs.