Day 3145 (Saturday) 17th January 2026

This is Eze Village

and this is Saint Tropez.

It was cloudy again today so we stayed at home, we even had a few spots of rain.

I found this article and it is quite long so I’ll post it over two days.

The Most Beautiful places in the South of France written by someone called Bugo in lifewith”Bugo”

The south of France is the gift that keeps on giving. Known for being a fancy location, it is a very popular part of France for tourists. I don’t know anyone who has visited and did not fall in love with it. The most beautiful places in south of France cut across Provence and Côte d’Azur aka the French Riviera. From walking around cobblestone villages to fields of lavender, to gorgeous beaches and historic cities, there is something for everyone. I especially love that it is coastal as much as it is countryside.

The best places to visit in Provence

Gordes 

This fairytale village looked like it was straight out of a Disney film. We got to the view point after driving from Aix en Provence and enjoyed seeing an aerial, drone-like picture. Gordes is definitely one of the most beautiful places in the South of France. It was just so incredibly pretty. Although we did not spend much time exploring Gordes, the little glimpse was enough to fall in love with it.

The exact view point is on Rte de Cavaillon which you see on the right as you drive towards Gordes. It is unmissable as there are signposts and even a little car park just by the spot. However, as it is a popular stop, there might be buses of tourists stopping at the same time; so it can get busy.

Gordes is one of the more popular villages in the Luberon valley and it is the one everyone tells you to visit. I can understand why; it is beautiful and is home to one of the best hotels in France, Airelles Gordes. A trip to Provence is truly incomplete without a visit to Gordes.

A mini TV reference;

For Emily in Paris lovers, she dined in Clover Gorges, Jean François Pièges’ Provençal restaurant on that infamous trip to Provence.

Roussillon

This is one of the lesser visited villages of Luberon valley and I genuinely think it deserves its glory too. It is well known for its red dramatic cliffs as it is the largest deposit of ochre in the world. I think it is one of the most beautiful places in the south of France. It is different, colourful, charming and has that quaint feel to it. The buildings are painted in shades of reds, pinks and oranges which give the village a distinct look.

There is a small centre where it looks like all roads lead to and there are restaurants dotted around. We walked in and out of the beautiful streets and just enjoyed the calm atmosphere. In comparison to the other popular villages in the Luberon valley, Roussillon was the least busy.

One of the most popular things to do in Roussillon is walking the Ochre trail aka Le Sentier des Ocres. It is about 30 – 60 mins long depending on the walk you choose.

Must visit place in Roussillon.

Nougat des Lices - the famous dessert shop for Nougat Traditionnel de Montelimar which was established in 1884. Its on 68 Rue des Bourgades, 84220 Roussillon.

Lourmarin

Lourmarin is one of Les Plus Beaux Villages de France like Gordes and Roussillon. It is also another one of the most beautiful places in the South of France.

This is the Luberon valley village where we spent most of our time. We arrived early evening and enjoyed a quiet walk around before we settled for an early dinner. Lourmarin is what your mind imagines when you think of Provence. I found it très romantic, extremely charming and just so beautiful. If there is one village to visit in the Luberon valley, I totally vote Lourmarin. There are a few boutique hotels like Le Galinier and Le Moulin.

What to do in Lourmarin 

Château de Lourmarin is a must as it is Provence’s 1st renaissance château from the 16th century. For parents travelling with kids to Provence, there is an outdoor play ground that is great.

Where to eat in Lourmarin 

It has to be Café Gaby which is right in the centre of the village on the prettiest cobblestone street. There is the option to eat al fresco and indoor as well. I had a burger and my husband had the steak; both meals were delicious.

Other places in the Luberon valley that I thought were beautiful include Bonnieux and Ménerbes. As they are quite close to Gordes and Lourmarin, they are also worth checking out.

Aix en Provence

Aix en Provence is the university city in Provence and most importantly, the birth place of Paul Cezanne. To any creative, art lover or just anyone who appreciates art, Cezanne is a legend. Aix en Provence is known for its stunning romanesque architecture and fountains dotted all over the city. It is no wonder that it has been nicknamed the “city of a thousand fountains”. Aix en Provence will introduce you to Provençal markets, yummy French delicacies and in the summer months, lavender fields.

What to do in Aix en Provence

This is another city where you walk around and get lost. There is so much beauty and history that walking is the best way to discover it all. We loved walking on Cours Mirabeau which was at some point made for horse drawn carriages.

There are lots of cafés, restaurants and gorgeous terraces to relax and watch the world go by. Other things to do include retracing Cezanne’s life. The route is marked with the letter “C” and it will lead you from the house he was born to where he is buried in St Jean cemetery.

Aix en Provence – The home of Paul Cezanne

Where to stay in Aix en Provence

It has to be Le Pigonnet. The hotel on its own is one of the most beautiful places in the South of France. It is one of the best hotels in Provence and as far as luxury hotels go, it is reasonably priced. It is a 5 star hotel set around the most stunning Provençal gardens.

One of Paul Cezanne’s favourite spots is located within the garden so it is a hotel with lots of history. You can see where he painted one of his Mount Sainte Victoire classics and to me, you can’t beat that.

Hotel Le Pigonnet, Aix en Provence

Le Pigonnet is romantic and family friendly.

Where to eat in Aix en Provence

Le Grillon. When we checked into Le Pigonnet, we asked for recommendations and this one was top of the list. For an area which is known to be expensive, it is decently priced and is right in the centre of town.

Le Grillon, Aix en Provence