The Most Beautiful Villages in Provence
August 4, 2025
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Travel Joural
How to Spend a Perfect Weekend in Provence
When we think of Provence, we picture sunlight flickering through plane trees, baskets filled with ripe peaches and summer tomatoes, and shutters thrown open to let in the scent of lavender and dry earth. But more than anything, Provence is about feeling, about slowing down, reconnecting to your senses, and letting yourself be charmed by its rhythm.
If you only have a weekend, here’s how we would spend it… the way we share it with friends visiting for the first time, and the way we still love to experience it ourselves.
Wake Up Early for the Local Markets
Saturday morning in Saint-Rémy-de-Provence is a celebration of abundance.
Set along Avenue de la Résistance, the market brings together local producers, artisans, and neighbours, everyone with their favourite stall, chatting as they fill their baskets with sun-warmed tomatoes, soft cheeses, tapenades, and wild herbs. It’s a feast for the senses: the scent of lavender and thyme, the colours of just-picked fruit, the chatter in the shade of the plane trees.
On Sunday, head to L’Isle-sur-la-Sorgue, a little further north. Part market, part lifestyle event, it’s beloved for its combination of fresh produce, flowers, and antiques (more on that in a moment). Go early, stop for coffee by the river, and take your time.
Hunt for Antiques
No weekend in Provence would be complete without a little brocante magic.
If you want something special, go to Villeneuve-lès-Avignon on Saturday morning. Set in a sandy square, it’s a small, well-curated antique market with everything from French linens to glassware and timeworn portraits.
On Sunday, L’Isle-sur-la-Sorgue transforms into an antiques haven. The town is full of permanent dealers year-round, but on Sundays the whole centre comes alive with outdoor stalls and treasures waiting to be found. Prices can be high, but the quality is worth it.
And if you happen to be in the area on the last Sunday of the month, stop in Éygalières for a small-scale flea market with a relaxed village feel. It’s charming, not too crowded, and full of character.
©Joanna Maclennan
Visit the Hilltop Villages
One of Provence’s greatest pleasures is meandering through its postcard-perfect villages.
Gordes, with its stone houses and cascading views over the Luberon, feels almost too beautiful to be real. Bonnieux is quieter but just as lovely, and Lourmarin is full of life and little cafés, especially on market days. Saint-Rémy is a classic base, lively, walkable, and close to so many of the region’s gems.
We recommend visiting just one or two villages each day. Stop for a long lunch, browse the shops, and always, always leave time to do nothing at all.
©Abbaye Saint-André
Wander Through Remarkable Gardens
If you love gardens, Provence is a dream.
In Bonnieux, the Jardin de la Louve is a secret garden created by designer Nicole de Vésian, minimal, poetic, and deeply in tune with the surrounding landscape. It’s a must-visit.
Further afield, Abbaye Saint-André in Villeneuve-lez-Avignon, the Abbey of Saint-André opens its terraced gardens and historic palace to visitors. Awarded the “Remarkable Garden” label, it offers sweeping views of Avignon, Romanesque ruins, and Mediterranean plants. Open from March to November, with occasional art and music events.
And if you love combining gardens and wine, Château Val Joanis near Pertuis is a favourite of ours, classified as a “Jardin Remarquable,” and open for leisurely walks and tastings.
©Chateau de ma mere
©Edith Mezar
Shop for Something Truly Special
The South of France has its share of boutiques, but we like to guide friends to the places that feel personal, where everything has a story.
In the tiny hamlet of Lumieres, Edith Mézard’s boutique is a haven for lovers of hand-embroidered linens. Her work feels like it belongs in a home that’s been passed down through generations.
In Saint-Rémy-de-Provence, step into Jeanne Bayol’s world. Her boutique is an explosion of colour and texture, mixing antique textiles, bohemian jewellery, and Romani-inspired caravans lovingly restored with her partner Jean-Marie Maréchal. You’ll leave inspired, promise.
And nearby, Le Château de Ma Mère is full of dresses, table linens, and homeware that channel Provence’s poetic charm, all dreamed up by designer Sophie Douzal.
©Domaine de Fontenille
Slow Down and Soak It All In
Beyond the markets, the villages, the gardens, and the brocantes, what makes Provence truly magical is the feeling.
Sit in the shade of a fig tree with a book. Take your time over a chilled glass of rosé. Open the windows and let in the sounds of the cicadas. Watch the sky turn pink over the hills. These are the things we remember most.
Whether you’re here for two days or two weeks, let Provence show you its rhythm. Slow, sun-soaked, and full of quiet beauty.
MFCH Travel Experiences
Want to experience Provence with us next year?
If this article made you dream of baskets filled at the market, slow afternoons in hidden gardens, and the beauty of everyday life in the South, come and join one of our Provence tours in 2026.
Each of our tours is carefully curated, blending antique hunting, garden visits, and long lunches in the shade. We stay in beautiful places, meet talented local artisans, and take the time to soak in the true spirit of Provence, away from the crowds.
Our tours for next year are already filling up (they tend to sell out quickly!), but we still have a few spots available.
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