Village guides

Gordes is one of those villages that earns its reputation. Perched above the Luberon plateau with its château, dry-stone walls and views across the valley, it is at its finest in autumn when the summer crowds thin and the light turns amber. Here is how to see it properly.

The Luberon massif is lined with hilltop villages that reward those who take the time to drive the ridge road slowly. This is a route through four of the best - with stops worth making at each.

September is the finest month to visit Châteauneuf-du-Pape. The harvest is underway, the vineyards are deep with colour, and the village quietens after the summer crowds. Here is a guide to one of Provence's most celebrated wine appellations.

Beaumes-de-Venise sits at the foot of the Dentelles de Montmirail with one of the most famous sweet wines in France to its name. The village is small, the terraces are exceptional, and the muscat is worth the detour alone. Here is how to spend a day here.

L'Isle-sur-la-Sorgue is famous for its antique markets and its canals, and summer is when both are at their liveliest. Whether you are after vintage finds on a Sunday morning or a quiet lunch beside the water, here is how to spend the day well.

Roussillon is built from ochre and it shows. The village glows red and amber above the Luberon plateau, and the Sentier des Ocres below it is one of Provence's most memorable short walks. Here is how to make the most of a morning here.

Sitting in the Gulf of Hyères, Porquerolles is the French Riviera's best-kept secret - a car-free national park island with powdery white beaches, world-class contemporary art, centuries-old forts, and wine grown right on the island. Here are 10 genuinely unique reasons to go.

Eygalières is small, unhurried, and quietly one of the most beautiful villages in the Alpilles. Its medieval lanes, hilltop chapel and handful of excellent restaurants make it the kind of place people return to year after year. Here is why it deserves a full morning of your time.

Lourmarin sits in the southern gap of the Luberon massif and earns its place among France's most beautiful villages honestly. From the Renaissance château to Camus's grave, here is what makes it worth more than a quick stop.

Uzès is quietly one of the most beautiful towns in the south of France. Its medieval towers, daily market, and shaded arcades reward those who make the detour. Here is what to see, where to eat, and how to plan a day trip from the Luberon or the Alpilles.