France continues to seduce travelers to her shores thereby remaining the world’s top travel destination, due in part to returning travelers like me – and possibly you – wanting the best experiences in France. Indeed, the smorgasbord of top things to do and experience in France astounds.
The challenge is always – shall I return to Paris or discover Bordeaux, do I bask on the Riviera or immerse in Provence’s delightful charms, great food, and fine wine?
When choices include sun-drenched Provence to snow-draped Chamonix, historic treasures from Dordogne’s Lascaux cave paintings to Nime’s Pont du Gard, medieval hilltop castles to the Loire Valley’s Chateaux, and breathtaking landscapes from the Riviera to Normandy – there’s a lot to experience in just one lifetime.
So, how best to experience enchanting Provence, Paris’ café culture, the Riviera’s coastal living, and France’s history and heritage left by Celts, Romans, Greeks, and others passing through? With France’s treasure trove of attractions and experiences, a good option is to rent an apartment in a home base city for a week or more and day trip to nearby top spots from there.
Paris, Bordeaux, Nice and Provence are four of the best experiences in France for traveling like a local – staying longer than a couple days to slow-travel, renting a city-center apartment, and enjoying more immersive and authentic experiences.
Best Experiences in France: Paris and Vicinity
Comfortably tucked in, people-watching at Les Deux Magots café in St. Germain-des-Pres, a lovely steaming café au lait and a just-baked flaky grand croissant greeted me as an old friend, rousing fond memories of the past, signaling more good times yet to come.
Returning often to Paris, and as an avid people-watcher, I can attest that there’s no better place than the ‘city of lights’ to watch the world go by and succumb to the stimulating and romantic surroundings – whether on the café-lined skinny cobbled streets of St Germain-des-Pres or the wide Champs-Elysees Boulevard running from the l’Arc de Triomphe to the Place de la Concorde.
It’s a rare destination that can match Paris’ exciting ambiance, romantic tilt, history-laden past, and traditional ‘joie de vivre’. From the city’s mega-dose of master artwork, legendary history, stunning architecture, tenacious rich culture, haute couture, and famous cuisine that Paris dishes out – to the simple pleasures of exploring popular arrondissements like St Germain-des-Pres, the Marais, and Montmartre, strolling the romantic Seine river-bed, and gleefully getting lost in the Louvre – Paris does not disappoint.
When you home base in Paris, it’s easy to take day trips to top spots such as Versailles, Chateaux Country in the Loire Valley, and coastal spots like Brittany’s Mont St. Michel and Normandy’s St. Milo and D-Day beaches.
City-Center
Pedestrian friendly streets, beautiful broad boulevards, and romantic riverside promenades make it even more beautiful and fun to walk the historic center. In fact, reaching a destination can be a most enjoyable Paris experience, thanks to the exceptional city landscape brimming with famous icons like the Arc de Triomphe, Luxembourg Gardens, Champs Elysees, Eiffel Tower, Montmartre, and Notre Dame.
Eiffel Tower
I used to tell myself that I could never get lost in Paris if I used the soaring Eiffel Tower as my frame of reference for the laid back Left Bank, and the sprawling Louvre Museum for the classy Right Bank. Still today, I sometimes rely on that decades-old mantra.
At the Eiffel Tower, you can go straight to the top for sweeping panoramas of drop-dead gorgeous Paris. Another way to enjoy the Tower is to cruise the Seine at night on a ‘bateau mouche’ and enjoy the Tower’s magnificence, all lit up and sparkling.
For years, I skipped the evening cruise option since I adore just walking the city. I must admit though, sitting back in a ‘bateau mouche’, sipping Chateauneuf-du-Pape wine and enjoying a tasty light supper while gliding by spotlighted iconic landmarks, became one of my most memorable Paris experiences.
Louvre
If I could visit only one museum in Paris, it would be the Louvre. I revisit this precious art paradise whenever visiting Paris. It’s almost impossible to see all of the Louvre’s treasures (some 35,000 works of art and counting). The sheer volume and superb quality of selections astound – famous originals like the ancient Greek statue titled Venus de Milo and Da Vinci’s enigmatic Mona Lisa masterpiece, works from Roman and Greek times, Egyptian mummy tombs, and ancient Greek sculptures – just to name a few.
St. Germain-des-Pres (1 of my best experiences in France)
Upon landing in Paris, I always make a beeline for St. Germain-des-Pres. Normally, it’s Les Deux Magots café for breakfast and, for evening, a locals-frequented restaurant for a traditional French meal accompanied by a demi-carafe of lovely Bordeaux wine. Sunshine or snow flakes, you can find me seated on the terrace (under heat lamps, when necessary) watching the world saunter by, in one of the most charming corners in all of Paris.
While visiting the Left Bank’s Saint-Germain-des-Prés, you can stroll the winding cobbled streets, frequently hopping on and off along the way, to see a trendy boutique, enchanting terraced café, and colorful French artisan shops selling Provence’s lavender and olive oil products, Paris’ oldest church, small stately museums, old dusty bookstores, antique curiosity shops, and the graceful Luxembourg Gardens.
Champs Elysee
When visiting Paris in earlier years, there weren’t any chain stores standing shoulder-to-shoulder with iconic high-end stores like Louis Vuitton and Channel, along the iconic elegant Champs Elysees. That would have been considered ‘sacrilegious’.
The handsome boulevard was where we window-shopped and, on occasion, worked up enough courage to actually enter one of the famous designer houses. Despite the shopping shift over the years, the café-studded boulevard remains a favorite Paris experience, reminiscent of quintessential Paris, for locals and visitors alike.
Montmartre (1 of my best experiences in France)
I can still remember the excitement of having my portrait charcoal-sketched by one of the square’s artists on my 21st birthday – the drawing hangs in my study today, a cherished memory of Paris back in the day.
Looming above Paris, Sacre Coeur Basilica dominates Montmartre, looking like an ivory castle crowned by ornate twin domes. Just a few streets over, sits the lively Place du Tertre cobblestoned square, jam-packed with aspiring artists, easels, and colorful umbrellas.
A hangout for Paris’ bohemian crowd, the square has been a popular art mecca over the years, attracting artists hoping to be inspired such as Renoir, Picasso, Van Gogh, Matisse, Lautrec and many others.
Even today, the artist’s square retains that bohemian vibe, appealing to visitors and locals alike looking to absorb the charming, ebullient and colorful ambiance permeating Montmartre.
Lined with 18th c. buildings featuring outdoor cafés, crepe stands, and restaurants, you can while away some fun people-watching time at the bustling square, be entertained by the artists, or have a leisurely meal overlooking the square.
Not far from the square, you can visit the Montmartre Museum, formerly a home that was commonly used as a meeting place for artists and writers.
Paris Day Trips: 5 of the Best Experiences in France
Versailles Palace
Enjoyed by France’s Kings during the 1700’s, Versailles Palace was the official royal residence and the seat of power from which the Kings reigned – in opulent luxury, away from Paris. As one of France’s most lavish palaces with all the gilded mirrors, artwork, sculptures, and extravagances throughout, it wasn’t difficult for me to imagine the luxurious lifestyle enjoyed by the royalty of that time – the polar opposite of the lifestyle of Paris’ citizens in 18th century Paris.
Today, the Versailles is a quick 12 mile hop outside Paris where you can experience the Palace’s sheer beauty as well as a slice of how France’s nobility lived in the 1700’s. Inside, you’ll find the palace’s famous “Hall of Mirrors” and other ornate rooms such as the bedrooms and social halls.
Surrounded by elegant grounds, adorned with lovely sculptured gardens, you can leisurely walk the expansive Palace grounds and duck in to visit Marie-Antoinette’s Estate for a short visit.
Chateaux of the Loire Valley (1 of my best experiences in France)
Visiting Chateau de Blois (with a moat and where kings and nobles used to live) and tasting fine Vouvray wine from the barrel, was a student day trip from provincial Tours. While probably not considered a normal scholastic outing, as a university student living with a French family in Tours, it actually made total sense – it was our education and experience for the day…Chateau Country.
Venturing outside Paris about 2 ½ hours, you can be in the Loire Valley of Chateaux where romantic fairy-tale castles, each splendidly unique, dot the World Heritage Loire Valley landscapes along the Loire River. It’s where time stops and where you can escape to ‘another world’ steeped in storied legend, renowned grandeur, stunning beauty, and rich history.
If you plan to explore many Chateaux of the Loire and taste some regional wines like Vouvray and traditional plates, there are Bed and Breakfasts in some of the historic villages or you can home base in Tours or Orleans.
Mont Saint Michel
A popular World Heritage island village, Brittany’s medieval hilltop-perched Benedictine abbey is about two hours from Paris by train to Rennes from where a short bus ride awaits to take visitors to the site. Straddling rugged cliffs, the dramatic 264 foot massive structure cradling the monastery dates back to 1144. The Abbey sits on sand in low tide but the sea completely engulfs the abbey at high tide.
Saint Malo
An hour west of Mont Saint Michel in Brittany and three hours by train from Paris, sits the walled town of St. Malo, prettiest of the English Channel ports. Under siege many times throughout history, St. Malo’s mile-long 12th c. fortified ramparts ringing the city helped defeat many invasions throughout the ages. Today, the web of narrow cobblestone streets, tucked inside the city gates, boast rich merchants’ mansions, sea captain houses, artisan shops and seafood specialty restaurants. At the History Museum, you can trace St. Malo’s storied past of slave trading and piracy.
Normandy D-Day Sites
World War II’s Operation Overlord happened in Normandy, on the coast of France, where the tide of war changed, leading to the fall of Nazi Germany. Throughout France there are memorials commemorating the Allied success which culminated in peace. The 50 mile stretch of D-Day beaches (Sword, Juno, Gold, Omaha and Utah) along Normandy’s coast, especially memorialize the fierce battles. There are a number of well-known commemorative museums, memorials, and cemeteries along the beaches of Normandy.
Normandy is also known for its quaint cities and towns like Rouen, Bayeux and Giverny (Monet’s home) where you can find a friendly laid-back atmosphere and delicious local cooking.
Best Experiences in France: Bordeaux and Vicinity
As France’s vibrant and dynamic second city, and with half the city listed as the largest World Heritage urban site, there is a plethora of experiences to be had in elegant Bordeaux.
Centrally positioned in France’s Lower Atlantic region with a bustling river port, Bordeaux shines as a convenient home base for exploratory day trips into St. Emilion and Medoc wine country, the Dordogne Valley for its prehistoric cave paintings and hilltop castle villages, as well as lesser known gems along the Atlantic coast.
City – Center (1 of my best experiences in France)
Nestled on the Garonne river bank, surrounded by thousands of chateau estates and world-class vineyards, Bordeaux is a gracious wine hub serving up a bounty of tantalizing choices for sampling some of the best wines in the world, including the option to cruise wine country along the Garonne River visiting vineyards, chateaux, and gourmet restaurants.
With its many pedestrianized streets, wide boulevards, embankments and riverside promenades throughout the city, it’s a pleasant and easy walk to top city and riverside sights – stopping frequently along the way to enjoy the buzzing café and wine culture, and relax in the lively local ambiance.
La Cite du Vin
You can visit this remarkable gold-glistening building, shaped like a wine decanter, where you’ll find 20 wine-themed display sections from vine cultivation and grape varieties to wine production. Wine-themed 1 ½ hour tasting workshops are periodically offered here as well.
Mirroir d’Eau
Resembling a fountain, this captivating water mirror is proclaimed as the largest reflecting pool in the world. The fun fountain sits just across from the grand Palais de la Bourse – you can’t miss it.
Marche des Capucins
Known as the ‘Belly of Bordeaux’, you can find the city’s largest covered food market overflowing with a smorgasbord of bakers, seafood stands, florists, wine and cheese merchants, oyster growers, fishmongers, and organic grocers.
Bordeaux Day Trips: 3 of the Best Experiences in France
St. Emilion
Just 25 miles outside Bordeaux, you’ll find this quintessential medieval wine town, a World Heritage site, perched above expansive vineyards in France’s oldest wine region, St. Emilion. The village is a top destination for exploring world-renowned vineyards (dating back about 2,000 years ago, planted by the Romans), wine traditions and tastings, and legendary chateaux wrapped in the picturesque rolling valley.
For St. Emilion wine country sights and experiences, see here.
For St. Emilion accommodations, see here.
Dordogne River Valley (1 of my favorite best experiences in France)
About 1 ½ hours outside Bordeaux lies the Dordogne Valley, wildly famous for France’s prehistoric cave paintings like those discovered at the Grotte de Lascaux in 1940, charming hilltop castles, and stunning countryside landscapes.
If you stay longer than a day, the quintessential medieval town of Sarlat is a good spot to home base in the valley. You can explore the valley’s prehistoric caves like Lascaux and Rouffignac (dating back about 20,000 years), the National Prehistory Museum in Les Eyzies de Tayac which houses the largest Paleolithic artifact collection, and the picturesque perched villages adorning the valley like the pilgrimage site Rocamadour and Domme, one of the most beautiful in all of France.
While there, you can opt to cruise the Dordogne River onboard a traditional wooden Gabarre and leisurely admire the river’s deep gorges, steep cliffs, and majestic châteaux that loom over the river as you breathe in stunning surroundings.
Carcassonne
Three hours by fast train (TGV) from Bordeaux, the fairy-tale medieval walled city of Carcassonne sits beautifully perched on a rocky hilltop in Languedoc. Straight out of a children’s storybook, the well-preserved castle fortress commands the horizon, towering over the small village and Canal du Midi below.
Considered a perfect example of a medieval castle, this imposing compound of fortified walls, ramparts and spiky turrets (looking like they’re capped with witch hats), dates back over 2,000 years and is a World Heritage site. You can walk the ramparts ringing the castle and stroll the maze of cobbled walkways and courtyards inside the walls, fringed by shops and restaurants today.
Best Experiences in France: Nice and Vicinity
Stepping out of my Old Town apartment at Place St. Francois, I started walking along the winding café-lined cobblestone streets towards the Mediterranean Sea – with some trepidation. I had fond memories of Nice from long ago and wondered if, after 25 years, the thrill of discovery and blissful abandonment would still be there. Indeed it was – but this time, I explored the Riviera’s charms slowly, building memories more immersive than before.
Nice is a great home base for experiencing the Riviera laid-back lifestyle and exploring the sunshine drenched, azure imbued, Mediterranean coast, day tripping to iconic resorts like Monte Carlo, Cannes, Marseilles, St. Tropez, Villefranche-sur-Mer, and Antibes.
City-Center (1 of my best experiences in France)
Although Nice is the largest Riviera town with museums like the Matisse and Chagal, outdoor markets like Cours Saleya, centuries-old churches, elegant gardens, high-end shops like those at Place Massena and Nicoise specialty restaurants throughout – it feels and acts like a provincial seaside town.
Almost entirely pedestrianized, you can stroll Old Town’s web of cobblestone streets discovering hidden gems along the way like picturesque gardens, book stores, and lively quintessential cafes filled with local chatter, just a few streets away from the center.
- You can peacefully stroll the pedestrianized Promenade des Anglais for two miles along Nice’s beachfront, peppered with beach cafés like the famous Lido and Beau Rivage. Always a favorite walking destination, locals and visitors amble daily along the scenic promenade lining the pebbled beaches, endowed with deep azure skies and sun-kissed clouds draped over the hills bordering the Cote d’Azur.
- For Nice sights and experiences, see here.
- For Nice accommodations, see here.
Riviera Day Trips: 5 of the Best Experiences in France
The Three Corniches (1 of my best experiences in France)
Like in the “Catch a Thief” movie, starring Gregory Peck and Grace Kelly, and in the James Bond movie “Golden Eye”, you too can experience the thrilling three-level corniche drive that starts from Nice and ends in Menton, just beyond Monte Carlo – perhaps the most famous scenic parcel of road in the world.
The curvaceous, winding, ever-climbing roadway closely resembles a theme park roller-coaster ride. Arriving at the “Grande Corniche”, the highest level, feels like you’re looking down from sky-level, from a helicopter rather than a car.
Truth be told, the adrenalin-rush adventure is worth every horse-shoe curve and gut-wrenching bend. The panoramic views over the Mediterranean and hilltop-perched villages are unequalled – in fact, one of the last times on the Corniche, I looked down and suddenly realized that the villages perched on the steep hills were actually below me, not above. So I started looking down, not up.
About 18 miles in length, you can reach many popular Riviera spots such as Villefranche-sur-Mer, Beaulieu-sur-Mer, Cap d’Ail, and my favorite, the most charming Eze hilltop castle village, revealing from its hilltop cradle, unimaginable seascapes below.
Riviera Beaches
About 180 miles of rocky, sandy, and pebbly coastline stretches along France’s Cote d’Azur. Nice and Monaco have picture-perfect pebbled beaches, while others like Cannes have soft sanded beaches. With stunning blue-on-blue seascapes, accented by lush foliage, delicious local cuisine, and deluxe beach services, you can feel the overriding upbeat atmosphere at each romantic spot.
For Riviera sights and experiences, see here.
Antibes
Antibes, heralded as a resort destination for the wealthy and famous like F. Scott Fitzgerald and the Kennedys, won my heart when visiting on a day trip from Nice. In fact, the next time I return to the Riviera, I’ll seriously consider Antibes as my home base for exploring the Cote d’Azur.
Like other beach escapes along the Riviera, Antibes offers a breathtaking coastline and a port populated by luxury yachts, owned by the jetsetter crowd. The Old Town section of the city was particularly charming and welcoming as was the lively Marche Provencal covered market where you can find regional cheeses, provincial wines, traditional cuts of meats, fresh-catch fish and locally grown produce.
A favorite activity was walking the raised promenade along the rugged rocky coast, and stopping at the Picasso Museum (Chateau Grimaldi) where he worked and lived for a while. Inside, there are some 250 Picasso pieces and other works by contemporaries Miro and Ernst.
Cannes
A sun-kissed, somewhat glitzy, Cote d’Azur resort destination, you can day trip from Nice to shop Cannes’ renowned high-end boutiques lining cobbled side streets and squares, brimming with the latest trending high fashion couture and lavish jewelry.
Cannes also boasts a glorious seaside promenade, La Croisette, which stretches beside its beaches, passing the famous Casino Croisette, Palais des Festivals, and Congres where the International Film Festival is held.
As an avid people-watcher, I particularly enjoy strolling the buzzing promenade, stopping often to breathe in the idyllic hill-rimmed seascape, dotted by plump white clouds punctuating azure sky over azure sea – usually accompanied by a pink glass of Cote de Provence Rose at an elegant open-air café.
Monte Carlo
No age ID was required to enter the Monte Carlo Casino – it was quite clear that, unlike a visit decades ago, this time I was definitely “18 or older”. Everything looked as I remembered – opulent French Riviera surroundings, sophisticated and glamorous clientele dripping in high fashion, and the usual Aston Martins and Rolls-Royces awaiting their next command.
You can have fun people-watching at a lovely outdoor café just outside the Casino, champagne-sipping while watching the ‘rich and famous’ glide by. Just below the Casino area, you can walk the picturesque historic Old Town and visit Larvotto Beach, nestled along the curved harbor, surrounded by lush scenery. Like some of Monte Carlo’s Old Town streets, Larvotto Beach is part of the annual Gran Prix circuit, when race cars scream past the crescent harbor and through historic Old Town.
Best Experiences in France: Aix-en-Provence and Vicinity
Imagine being wrapped in seemingly infinite panoramic beauty, brimming with color-drenched landscapes of fragrant lavender fields, rolling vineyards, and castle villages atop surrounding hills – like those so beautifully portrayed by Paul Cezanne, Post-Impressionist painter, a native of Aix.
Once I arrived in Aix-en-Provence, I was immediately introduced to Provence’s indescribable beauty and bounty and I no longer had to imagine. With that first ‘taste of Provence’, I fell in love with its rich heritage, colorful petite cafes, charming provincial markets, and each enchanting fairy-tale chateau village along the way.
With so much to see and do in this extremely popular French region, either Aix-en-Provence or Avignon is a great home base for exploring the Provence’s amazing lavender fields, fertile olive groves, Cote du Rhone and Chateauneuf-du-Pape vineyards, and hilltop-perched castles, generously sprinkled throughout the region.
City-Center (1 of my best experiences in France)
A pretty postcard-perfect city, you can gently stroll the day away, enjoying Aix’s laid-back provincial charm, bustling markets, and pastel-hued regal buildings flanking the main boulevard, Cours Mirabeau. The tree-shaded, fountain-decorated boulevard branches off to Old Town’s café-strewn cobbled streets for shopping, eateries and plentiful outdoor market vendors. As you wander the centuries-old streets you can stop at the Musée Granet and the former Knights of Malta Priory, which boasts some of Cezanne’s finest works, and others by Van Dyck and Puget.
Provence Day Trips: 7 of the Best Experiences in France
From either Aix-en-Provence or Avignon, you can day trip into whimsical Provence discovering one picture-perfect provincial landscape after another – each with its own personality and attractions.
For days or weeks, you can explore cliff-top castle towns like Roussillon in the Luberon, lavender fields at Gordes, Chateauneuf-du-Pape vineyards, Roman ruins outside St. Remy, and provincial food and wine markets throughout the region.
Avignon
I suspected that the grand gothic Pope’s Palace would be an architectural beauty, brimming with iconic artwork and sculptures inside. What I didn’t expect, was the sheer power projected by the mighty walled city itself.
Just 1 ½ hours from Aix by train, Avignon is one of the most historic and beautiful towns in France, reminiscent of medieval might centuries ago. Once the seat of papal power, today the region’s cultural hub and a World Heritage site, the imposing Pope’s Palace dominates the city landscape of splendid chapels and churches, ringed by thick walls and fortifications.
Adding to Avignon’s historical and cultural impact you can experience through Avignon’s many museums like the Musee du Petit Palais, you can also visit the unusual World Heritage site, 12th c. Pont St-Bénezet (Le Pont d’Avignon), which crosses the Rhone River, just below the looming Pope’s Palace.
Pont du Gard, Nimes
Having seen many pictures of the iconic Roman aqueduct Pont du Gard, I felt obliged to include it in my Provence itinerary. I’m glad I did.
Up close and personal, the dramatic three-tiered mega-structure spanning the Gardon River, literally takes your breath away as you envision Roman times in this wonderland called Provence. A France “must-see” icon, the awesome aqueduct is listed as a World Heritage site with Nimes proudly claiming the highest elevated Roman aqueduct.
For Nimes sights and experiences, see here.
For Nimes accommodations, see here.
Chateauneuf-du-Pape
Gently weaving through peaceful narrow country roads, I suddenly realized that we had arrived in wine heaven – with rolling vineyards as far as the eye can see, and the hill-perched 14th c. chateau built during the reign of Pope John XXII in front of us, it was clear that we had indeed arrived in wine country.
In the center of Provence wine country you can visit the diminished, yet interesting, Papal Chateau and drop in to the enchanting tiny village of Chateauneuf-du-Pape to enjoy a traditional regional dish accompanied by, of course, delicious local wine.
No surprise that the major draw to the area – the “raison-d’etre” for being here – is to engage in fine wine-tasting and local cuisine. This is where you can slowly savor the wine-tasting experience in one of the most picture-postcard spots in Provence, while gazing out at idyllic surroundings carpeted in vineyards and olive groves.
For Chateauneuf-du-Pape sights and experiences, see here.
For Chateauneuf-du-Pape accommodations, see here.
Gordes
Considered one of France’s most beautiful villages, this charming rock-perched castle village is well worth visiting year-round although it is certainly in its prime when lavender fields blossom (normally from the end of June to the start of August).
You can explore the 16th c. Gordes Castle maze of cobbled passageways and lanes which curve up and around the rocky hill, revealing golden-hued stone houses to explore, many of which today are art shops and restaurants.
Roussillon (1 of my best experiences in France)
As dusk drew near and we started to walk down the hill to leave, suddenly the sky lit up over Roussillon – bright warm lights in the city-center and on the hillsides – beautifully highlighting the natural beauty that is Roussillon. Staring at such stark beauty, we simply could not leave … at least not yet.
Straddling a rocky cliff with the world’s largest ochre vein running through it, Roussillon stands out as a magical perched village in the rugged Luberon area of Provence. The enchanting ochre paint-brushed village appears to be carved out of surrounding ochre-rich rock, matching surrounding ochre-streaked hills.
You can see how neatly the quaint village scene harmoniously blends into its natural surroundings, as you walk the narrow cobbled streets, passageways, and town squares. Even the charming houses, shops, and churches are artfully ochre-brushed.
Saint-Remy-de-Provence
Whimsical ancient Plane trees, typical in southern France, greeted us with open arms as we neared charming St. Remy, cherished by locals as the ideal southern French town. My excitement to see the town grew as I realized that I was following in the footsteps of famous figures like Post-Impressionist Van Gogh and reputed seer Nostradamus who was born here, the heart of Provence.
Small, pretty, laid-back, and tucked in below the Alpilles, the town continues to attract artists looking to be inspired and history buffs eager to explore St. Remy’s heritage left by the Greeks who founded the village, and the Romans who thrived there.
It’s a delight to meander the enchanting cobblestone streets and squares, shaded by Plane trees, and tastefully decorated with striking art galleries, provincial cozy cafés, dancing fancy fountains, sun-drenched 14th c. medieval wall remnants that ring the town, and to discover historic gems like one of France’s oldest ‘arc de triomphe’, just a short walk outside the walls.
Les Baux-de-Provence
It felt like I had landed smack dab in the middle of a Disney movie set, as Les Baux emerged from its lofty perch over the Luberon plains horizon, slowly revealing its fairy-tale splendor.
This picture-perfect hilltop village, crowned by its medieval chateau, is made-for-primetime perfect. Stunning Les Baux is considered an authentic example of how fortified medieval villages looked back in the day, and ranks as one of the most beautiful villages in France.
You can stroll the narrow winding cobbled lanes and passage ways, admire the village’s old stone houses, the 17th c. chapel, breathtaking panoramic views of the valley below, and visit shops like art galleries and artisan handicraft along the way.
- For more Les Baux-de-Provence sights and experiences, see here.
- For Les Baux-de-Provence accommodations, see here.
