20 Best Places to Visit in the South of France

Abbeye de Senanque Lavender Field Provence in Summer France — Photo:
Alexander Hafemann / Getty Images

I'm a professional travel writer who's been to 45 countries across six continents, and the South of France is my absolute favorite place in the world to visit. If you’re planning on spending a few days in le Midi, this list will help you choose which of the region's many, many highlights — from alluring beaches along the Côte d'Azur to colorful lavender fields and the vineyards of the Luberon — to include in your itinerary.

Best tourist destination: Vieux Nice
Underrated hidden gem: Gordes
Best for families: Saint-Tropez
Best for couples: Saint-Jean-Cap-Ferrat
Best for solo travelers: Monastery Saint-Paul de Mausole

Read on for my full list of recommended destinations.

Vieux Nice

Nice is a vibrant seaside city with a lovely historic core. If Vieux Nice is on your itinerary, begin with a relaxing stroll along the Promenade des Anglais, then wander through the narrow cobblestone streets, admiring the pastel-hued facades and shopping for Niçoise soaps. Experience a Provençale market, grab some socca (chickpea pancakes) at one of the outdoor cafes, and soak in the views from Colline du Château before you depart.

Gordes

Gordes is one of the most beautiful small towns in the world, with roads and façades that seem to have sprung from the pages of a children's storybook. Unsurprisingly, visitors beeline to this enchanting Luberon village to see its cobbled lanes, white stone buildings, and churches.

Saint-Tropez

A French Riviera hotspot put on the map by Bridget Bardot and other members of the jet-set pack in the 1960s, Saint-Tropez still sizzles. Sun-kissed holiday goers crowd glamorous beach clubs here, moor their mega yachts in the harbor, shop for breezy linens at the boutiques, and traipse around the old fishing quarter.

Saint-Jean-Cap-Ferrat

The exclusive commune of Saint-Jean-Cap-Ferrat has long attracted the attention of artists and jet setters with deep pockets and a desire for privacy. Exquisite villas are obscured from sight by lush vegetation. Pristine beaches, scenic hiking trails, and a yacht-filled harbor define this desirable destination.

Monastery Saint-Paul de Mausole

If you’re interested in the life and work of Vincent Van Gogh, consider a visit to Monastery Saint-Paul de Mausole. This is the monastery-turned-psychiatric facility in Saint-Rémy-de-Provence where the tortured Dutch artist sought treatment and famously painted “The Starry Night.”

Île Sainte-Marguerite

Island Sainte-Marguerite is the largest of the Lerino Islands in front of Cannes in France. — maudanros /Getty Images

Île Sainte-Marguerite lies about half a mile off the coast of Cannes. In contrast to its mainland neighbor, the largest of the Lérins Islands is small, slow-paced, and steeped in nature. Expect rocky beaches, turquoise waters, and a eucalyptus forest, as well as a very interesting underwater sculpture museum featuring works by Jason deCaires Taylor.

Mougins

It’s not hard to find enchanting hilltop towns in Provence. The enduring charm of Mougins that once lured Edith Piaf and Christian Dior enamors all who visit. This medieval village features a snail-shaped center with cobbled lanes and flower-clad houses, plus large-scale art sculptures and award-winning restaurants that overlook the leafy countryside.

Oppède le Vieux

Alley in the medieval village of Oppede-le-Vieux — imagebroker / AnnaReinert / Getty Images

In stark contrast to the Disneyland-like atmosphere of Gordes, Oppède le Vieux is an under-the-radar village that’s built atop rocks and surrounded by overgrown trees. The stone pathways, steps, and structures here are in various degrees of ruin, which imbues a time-worn charm.

Porquerolles

Escape to Porquerolles, off the coast of Hyères, for a peaceful respite that can include time lazing on near-empty beaches, swimming in placid tides, sipping your way through vineyards, cycling in the countryside, and wandering through old forts.

Abbaye Notre-Dame de Sénanque

Just outside the tourist-trodden center of Gordes lies Abbaye Notre-Dame de Sénanque, a photogenic monastery founded in 1148 by Cistercian monks. Guided tours of the church and cloisters are available throughout the year. When the lavender fields bloom in the summer, the site is at its prettiest.

Plage des Marinières

Villefranche, in the south of France on the famous French Riveira, mariniÃ¨res beach — cwrgutierrez / Getty Images

Widely considered to be one of the most beautiful beaches in the French Riviera, crescent-shaped Plage des Marinières, located in the darling village of Villefranche-sur-Mer, is the perfect spot for a day of basking in the sun, strolling across golden sand, and splashing in the blue waters of the Mediterranean Sea.

Site Archéologique de Glanum

Ruins of Glanum — Fernando Fernandez Balia / Getty Images

Named for the Celtic god Glanis, the Site Archéologique de Glanum traces its roots back to 600 BC. At this extensive site just outside the town of Saint-Rémy-de-Provence, visitors can walk through the remarkable surviving remains of both Gaulish and Roman settlements.

Le Sentier des Ocres

The most iconic and unmissable sight in the Luberon village of Roussilian, Le Sentier des Ocres is a former ochre quarry with walking paths through rust-hued hills. The setting certainly provides spellbinding photo ops.

The Camargue

Wild White Horses of Camargue running in water during idyllic sunset. — Francesco Riccardo Iacomino / Getty Images

Located in the untamed region between the Mediterranean Sea and the two branches of the Rhône River delta, the Camargue defies preconceptions with its vastly different landscapes. Rather than olive groves and grape vines, you'll find salt marshes and reed beds inhabited by free-roaming white horses and pink flamingos.

Valensole Plateau Lavender Fields

Lavender fields with mountains in the background — Paula Galindo Valle / Travel + Leisure

Lavender is the emblem of Provence. The fields on the Valensole Plateau that erupt into a fragrant and gorgeous purple bloom each summer are some of the most popular — and photogenic — attractions in the region.

Grasse

Fragrance fans are no doubt familiar with Grasse, a French Riviera town in the hills behind Cannes that’s considered to be the perfume capital of the word. Rare roses and jasmine for designer luxury scent makers grow abundantly in this sunny village, which, naturally, is home to many perfumeries.

Palais des Papes

Palais du papes — Maremagnum / Getty Images

The standout attraction in Avignon, the enormous Palais des Papes served as a pontifical residence in the 14th century. It's also on the shortlist of the most significant medieval Gothic buildings in all of Europe, complete with ceremonial halls, chapels, a cloister, and frescos.

Mines Bruoux

A woman walking through the Bruoux Mines — Dea / Albert Ceolan/ Getty Images

Mines Bruoux, located near Gargas, gives visitors the chance to tour a maze-like complex of tunnels and galleries in a 19th-century ochre mine. You will learn about the fascinating mining process as you go. The cool underground temperature also provides a reprieve from the summer sun.

Promenade de la Croisette

The Croisette in Cannes — Federica Fortunat / Getty Images

Few places embody French Riviera glamor quite like Promenade de la Croisette. Running along the Mediterranean Sea, the famous palm-fringed thoroughfare is crowned by Palais des Festivals et des Congrès, which hosts the Cannes Film Festival. You'll also find many upmarket hotels, shops, and restaurants here.

Carrières de Lumières

Large projections of paintings in Carriares de Lumiares — Francois Lochon / Getty Images

For an unforgettable experience that speaks to Provence’s artistic pedigree, head to Carrières de Lumières in Les Baux-de-Provence. Housed in an old quarry, this contemporary art center hosts multimedia shows that combine larger-than-life projections of famous paintings and music.