If you have been dreaming about a trip to Provence, it can be hard to choose where to start. We’ll talk about why it’s worth visiting, the best villages in Provence (in the Var department), and read until the end because we’ll share a stunning hidden gem that might become your favorite spot in Provence, along with a peek inside the cozy little house we stayed in. You’re going to love it!
Provence France
Table Of Contents
- Things to do in Provence
- Most beautiful villages in Provence (in the Var department):
- Verdon Gorges (Le Gorges du Verdon)
- Moustiers-Sainte-Marie
- Aups
- Cotignac
- Sillans-la-Cascade
- Where to stay in Provence (Cozy French Home in Tourtour)
Things to do in Provence
There are a few quintessential things to do in Provence that will ensure you enjoy everything this region has to offer.
Browse Brocante Markets
One of our favorite things to do is browse the different brocante markets in the little towns. It’s such a lovely morning activity where you can enjoy the fresh air while looking through clothes, furniture, trinkets, vintage items, crockery, and paintings. Often at really great prices, like vintage nightstands for 15 euros or antique plates for 5. Here are some markets along with their days:
- Tuesday – Villecroze
- Wednesday – Sainte Maxime
- Thursday – Tourtour
- Friday – Lorgues & Salernes
- Sunday – Aups (bigger one! Love this one – only happens once a month)
- The markets in Villecroze, Tourtour & Salernes generally have the same vendors who hop around the villages in one week. There’s some diversity – but not much.
Visit a Farmer’s Market
Many of these towns also host farmers’ markets, where you can buy fresh local produce like vegetables, cheeses, homemade meals to go, and of course French baked goods. We loved starting our mornings by heading to the farmers’ market to pick up things for lunch or dinner. The atmosphere is always so welcoming, and it’s a great way to support local farmers.
Visit a Wine Farm or a Vineyard
Provence is also known for its wines, especially rosé, which makes up more than 85% of the wine produced here. So, visiting a vineyard or wine estate is a must. There are plenty of châteaux offering tastings, tours, or restaurants with beautiful views of the vineyards where you can try their local wine. Here are some options:
- Château de Berne. Known for their beautiful stone buildings, delicious rosé wines and Michelin star restaurant.
- Domaine de La Citadelle. Further away, but it’s a must-visit hiltop location with stunning views and delicious wines. They also have a corkscrew museum with over 1,200 corkscrews from around the world.
Pro tip: A great way to discover vineyards in Provence is by checking wine labels in local supermarkets or wine shops and looking up where in Provence they’re made and if they offer tastings or tours. Although not all do and some require reservations, it’s a great way to find hidden gems.
Experience the Lavender in Full Bloom
And, of course, visiting the lavender fields in Provence is a must-do activity. Just keep in mind there is only a short window during the year when you can see them in full bloom, from mid-June to mid July. If you visit too early, you’ll miss the most vibrant purple flowers, and if you come too late, the lavender might already be harvested.
The Most Beautiful Villages in Provence
Keep in mind, these towns are in the Var department, but if you also want some great suggestions of places to visit in the Vaucluse/Bouches-du-Rhône departments in the western side of Provence like Aix-en-Provence, Avignon, Arles and Gordes, head over to this post where we talk about our Provence road trip.
Verdon Gorge
The Verdon Gorge is one of the most beautiful natural spots in Provence, known for its turquoise water and dramatic cliffs. One of the best ways to experience it is by renting a self-driven electric boat, which ended up being our favorite activity of the whole trip.
We went with Nautic Verdon, where there’s free parking by a restaurant. Prices vary depending on the season and how many hours you want, but we found the cost very fair and totally worth it. We paid 90€ for 3 hours during their high season period.
From there, we drove the boat all the way to Lac d’Esparron, where you’ll spot the impressive Château d’Esparron overlooking the water. The Verdon Gorge is also connected to Lac de Sainte-Croix, but you can’t access it by boat because of the barrage. Along the way, the scenery is spectacular with cliffs on either side, calm turquoise water, and people passing by on canoes or boats. In early September, it felt lively without being crowded.
The boats go slowly, so as a family we all took turns driving, which made it even more fun. This is an experience we can’t recommend enough.
Pro tip: bring snacks and drinks. We didn’t think we’d stay on the boat that long, but we loved it so much we kept extending our time, and really wished we had something with us.
We do want to add, however, if being out on the water is not your cup of tea, you can also hike along the Verdon Gorge on the marked pathway. An easy and scenic option is starting at “Randonnée Canal du Verdon (sentier du garde canal)”.
Moustiers-Sainte-Marie
Moustiers-Sainte-Marie was one of our favourite towns we visited. It’s a small village in Provence, about a 40-minute drive from Pont du Lac de Quinson. It’s famous for its setting at the base of rocky cliffs, with a small waterfall from the Ravine de Notre-Dame flowing right through the town and under the Archos Bridge St. Mary.
One of the highlights here is the Notre-Dame de Beauvoir chapel, which you can reach by climbing a path of stone steps. Above the village, you’ll notice a star hanging between two cliffs. Local legend says a knight from the Crusades hung it there as a symbol of gratitude to the Virgin Mary after returning safely home.
If you want to enjoy the town’s atmosphere, Café L’Olivier is a good spot for a drink. It’s a bit touristy but worth it for the central setting surrounded by beautiful old buildings. There’s a cute ice cream shop straight across called La Solanée and we really enjoyed their ice cream and different regional flavours. The white cheese with chestnut spread was so unique and delicious! For a meal with views, Café Gourmandises is a favorite, especially if you can get a balcony table looking out over the water. Another great option is Restaurant Côté Jardin, where you can eat on the terrace surrounded by gardens and scenery.
🚘 Where to park in Moustiers: here or here.
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Aups
We added Aups to our itinerary because we heard that once a month, on a Sunday, the town hosts one of the biggest brocante markets in this part of Provence. Unfortunately, we couldn’t make it there on the Sunday, but we did visit on a Wednesday and found a large flea market in the market square (Marché de Aups) with clothes, cheeses, jewelry, pottery, and more.
We had a great time browsing the stalls before heading to a crêperie for lunch. Many places were packed, but we chose Crêperie Maison Cyriange, which was a little less crowded, and it turned out to be a great choice. We loved both their savory and sweet crêpes, especially the Aupoise with goat’s cheese and honey, and the orange and sugar crêpe for dessert.
🚘 Where to park in Aups: here, here or here.
Cotignac
Cotignac may be small, but it’s easily one of the prettiest towns we visited. The streets are lined with charming buildings, colorful shutters, and little boutiques.
One of the best things to do here is wander through the narrow lanes and then stop for a drink at Cr. Gambetta, a lively square filled with cafés, bars, and restaurants.
We chose Paulette Café, where we ordered two toasted brioche buns filled with lavender ice cream: one topped with Nutella and the other with salted caramel. Both were amazing.
🚘 Where to park in Cotignac: here, here or here.
Sillans-la-Cascade
Just 10 minutes by car from Cotignac, you’ll find a beautiful waterfall called Sillans-la-Cascade.
You can park at the parking lot (Place du 8 Mai 1945). Then, walk past the food trucks until you see the signboard that points you to the forest trail marked by wooden fences.
It’s a short and easy walk down (though a bit tougher on the way back up) as they’ve built a proper path to walk on. There is no need for any special shoes. At the end, you’re rewarded with a stunning waterfall cascading down a tree-covered cliff. It’s free and absolutely worth the stop.
Tourtour: Provence’s Best Kept Secret
We were invited by a lovely woman named Lieke from Lovenests on Instagram who has crafted the most beautiful holiday home in Tourtour called La Charmante and allowed us to enjoy it for 6 nights. And we could not be happier with our experience.
Our favourite thing about it was that we got to live the Quintessential Provence experience, the feeling of everyday life in a Provence village, and it didn’t just feel like any trip.
A little about the history…
In 2023 she decided to take a risk and buy a small village home in Tourtour, Provence. It was a place she had long dreamed of calling home, even if only for holidays. The house was old, affordable, and full of character, but it was in desperate need of renovation. Together with her partner, they took on the challenge. He focused on the renovation while she planned, sourced, and designed the interior. Their goal was to create a space that felt warm, thoughtful, and true to the village’s history.
It wasn’t always easy. They carried materials through narrow streets, dealt with delays, and worked around the summer heat. But the process brought them closer and made the project even more meaningful. Today, the house is a cozy little retreat that feels like stepping into a story. She couldn’t be happier to share it with others who want to experience Provence in a unique way.
We loved cooking meals in the gorgeous kitchen and enjoying them together at the table. Relaxing baths in the tub upstairs and sunsets from the window made it even more special.
From the moment we parked our car just outside the village, we were blown away. Walking through the arch and into the square was a beautiful surprise. There is something to see at every corner.
For the perfect day in Tourtour, here’s what we suggest you do.
Start your morning with breakfast in your kitchen or at one of the little cafés. Then head to the market square overlooking the valley to pick up local products. The square is also where locals often gather to play pétanque, a traditional French game similar to bocce. Spend some time wandering the stone houses and colorful shutters.
For lunch, you can eat at home or choose one of the cafés and restaurants in the square. We especially recommend coming back in the evening for a drink under the colorful lights. As the day winds down, watch the sunset from the benches outside the church at the top of the hill. End the evening with dinner at La Table, a charming restaurant with set menus at different price points. The dishes are delicious and prepared by a trained chef, making it perfect for date night. Just make sure you reserve in advance since it is popular and has limited tables. Everything we tried was wonderful and the service was amazing.
🚘 Where to park in Tourtour: here or here.
More French Getaways & Other related topics you might be interested in…
Want more inspo for Provence travel? Head over to our Top 7 Road Frips in France where we go over our road trip in Provence, covering destinations like: Aix-en-Provence, Gordes, Avignon…
If you’re looking for more ideas on where to go in France, make sure to check out our blog post “8 Top French Holiday Destinations” for some seriously beautiful spots. And if the south of France is on your list, don’t miss our full French Riviera Road Trip — it’s packed with dreamy stops and practical tips. Traveling on a budget? We’ve got you covered. Head over to our Top Budget Travel Hacks to learn how to plan the trip of your dreams without spending a fortune.
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