When I think ‘small towns in Southern France’, my mind instantly pictures the scene from Beauty and the Beast where Belle is dancing and singing through the streets. Disney films are very true to their word when it comes to depicting scenes from different countries, because I felt like I was walking through a fairy tale.

Southern France has some of the most amazing small towns filled with culture, history and amazing hospitality. In 2017 I stayed in Monaco for a week where I had the opportunity to visit numerous small towns in France. This made for one of the best road trips I have ever experienced. It’s an easy mistake to make when travelling; visiting all the big cities so you can tick off all the ‘must do items’. Sometimes travellers, and especially tourists forget to slow down and smell the flowers. Venturing out into the countryside and meeting locals who speak very little English but have all their kindness on offer is a beautiful experience and a feeling that is very rarely replicated.

I’ve put together this list in the hopes that future travellers make the time to reach out of their comfort zones and make the journey to more rural areas of France. Because France is so much more than just Paris!

Getting Around the Small Towns in Southern France

Getting around Southern France doesn’t have to be difficult. Hiring a car is probably your best option as you won’t have any restrictions to any towns or remote locations. Using companies like Europcar or Hertz are great options.

Public transport can be used to your advantage if you are a bit creative; Eurail have trains that travel through Nice and Marseille up to Lyon, from each stop you could use the regional public transport systems or convince a lovely family to adopt you for the duration of their own French holiday.

Les Baux de Provence, Bouches-du-Rhône

Region Provence-Alpes-Côte d’Azur
Area 18.07 km²
Population 391 (2015)

Les Baux is classed as one of the most beautiful villages in France, sitting within the Alpilles mountain ranges of Southern France serving fantastic views across Provence. Only 45 minutes from Avignon Les Baux is a perfect day trip destination for anyone bouncing between any of the larger cities in Southern France.

Sitting among the beauty of Les Baux is also extensive history dating back to 6000BC. Traces of human inhabitants were discovered in various caves and grottos across the region including Les Baux, and a lot of these artefacts can be seen in the Prehistoric Anthropologie Museum in Monaco

Les Baux covers 18 square kilometres and has between 400-500 permanent residence but receives over 1.5 million visitors per year. That’s quite a lot of foot traffic for a thousand + year old commune.

Things to do in Les Baux

The most incredible and immersive art display I have experienced is at Carrières de Lumières; the Quarry of Light. This old limestone quarry which is an 11 minute walk from Les Baux is now used as an incredible lightshow and display of classic artworks from historic artists like Van Gogh and Bosch. The art is projected on the walls and floors of the large internal cavities of the quarry and art reimagined to dance around the walls to classic music from a similar era. Spend 20 minutes to 2 hours wondering through the quarry and watching incredible art dance around on the walls surrounding you.

Related: Best wine tours and tastings in Saint Emilion, Bordeaux

Avignon, Southeastern France

Region Provence
Area 64.78 km²
Population 92,130 (2015)

Avignon is one of the largest towns we visited on our trip around southern France. It’s one of the more suitable places to do any mainstream shopping as it is a major centre for tourism. Sitting on the Rhône river, Avignon uses this to their advantage. Having multiple river-boat hotels, plenty of sight seeing vessels and a free shuttle boat which connects Avignon to the large island in the river; Île de la Barthelasse.
Things to do in Avignon include visiting the multiple palaces; Palais de Papes and Musée Du Petit Palais. The Pont d’Avignon; remains of the 12th century bridge which stretches into the Rhone river and 12th century Cathedral.

Menton, French Riviera

Region Provence-Alpes-Côte d’Azur
Area 14.05 km²
Population 28,231 (2015)

Sitting on the French Riviera, Menton is a direct neighbour to Monaco and sits on the French-Italian border. Famous for its multitude of historic gardens, and being the location where the oldest human skeletons were located.
This southern French town is well known for their production in citrus fruits and is the biggest producer of citrus fruits in Europe. Every year at the end of winter Menton hold a festival to celebrate this; ‘Fête du Citron’. All floats and sculptures at the carnival are decorated in or created from citrus fruits.

Places to Eat in Menton

If you’re looking for an amazing Italian restaurant I can highly recommend Square Victoria – Restaurant and Pizza. I had the most amazing pizza paired with a delectable red wine. The restaurant sits just back from the waterfront and has amazing views of the shore line. On a clear day or evening you can see the west coast of Italy.

If you’re spending time on the French Riviera, check out these insider tips for the best 23 things to do on the French Riviera!

Related: The Best European Summer Destinations!

Nîmes, Occitanie Region

Region Occitanie
Area 161.8 km²
Population 150,672 (2015)

Nîmes is located between the Mediterranean Sea and the Cévennes mountains in Southern France.
If you’ve ever wanted to travel to two countries at once, Nîmes is closest you will get for experiencing French culture while surrounded by Roman architecture. The Romans took rule of the region sometime before 28BC, and during that time they built an amphitheatre, several temples and the famous Pont du Gard sitting which carried water through the region, sitting 20km outside the city.

Things to do in Nimes

The Nimes Amphitheatre is one of the best preserved in the world and almost mirrors the Coliseum in Rome, except for it being slightly smaller and shorter.

Nîmes Amphitheatre is still used today, with music videos and filmmakers making use of the Roman arena, and the French music festival, Festival de Nîmes taking place in the arena ever summer since 1997.

We did a quick tour of the Roman Amphitheatre; I got a picture which a very small Police car then we set off to visit the Pont du Gard. Where I stood in complete awe of the 1,960-year-old structure. The landscape surrounding the Pont du Gard is scattered with thousand-year-old Olive trees. It’s just a shame I ruined my new found love for Olives in Monaco where I devoured a packet of budget Olives in fear of them going to waste.

Roquebrune-Cap-Martin, Alpes-Maritimes

Region Provence-Alpes-Côte d’Azur
Area 9.33 km²
Population 12,679 (2015)

Roquebrune is another town in Southern France which was once ruled by the Romans. Roquebrune is a small commune founded in 971AD and only coming under French rule in the late 1700’s. Sitting above and overlooking the Mediterranean Sea, Roquebrune offers fantastic views and rich history, which includes a 1000 year old olive tree.
The small, winding stair cases and stone pathways make for a fun afternoon exploring the historic town. Discovering churches, buildings and even doors older than my little country of New Zealand; it was an educational experience.

Related: 50 Awesome things to do in France

Saint-Jean-Cap-Ferrat, Alpes-Maritimes

Region Provence-Alpes-Côte d’Azur
Area 248 ha
Population 1,628 (2015)

Located on the peninsula between Nice and Monaco. Saint-Jean-Cap-Ferrats’ warm Mediterranean climate and peaceful setting draws crowds among tourists and international millionaires. With the shore line decorated with mansions, expensive holiday home apartments and exquisite hotels you’ll easily find yourself gawking at how the other half live. There are 3 beaches in the area and a walkway which can take you to the end of the peninsula. Notable sights include Villa Ephrussi de Rothschild; an early 20th Century pink villa designed by French Architect Aaron Messiah and constructed by Baroness Beatrice de Rothschild. Filled with antique furniture, and an extensive collection of art.

Saint-Rémy-de-Provence, Bouches-du-Rhône

Region Provence-Alpes-Côte d’Azur
Area 89.09 km²
Population 9,775 (2015)

Saint-Rémy-de-Provence is a small, traditional commune sitting in the alpine region south of Avignon, Southern France. The weather is usually quite dry all year around, with July to August being the hottest months reaching around 29 °C. And their winters between December and January getting as cold as 3 °C.

The historical town of Saint-Rémy’s most notable residence includes Nostradamus and Vincent Van Gogh, from the 16^th and 19^th Century, respectively. Van Gogh was famously committed to live in a Monastery just outside of the main township due to psychiatric reasons. It was while living here he discovered his inspiration for and painted Starry Night. thanks to the picturesque deep blue skies of Saint-Rémy during dusk.

Saint Rémy is one of my favourite places we visited on our road trip through Southern France, due to its remote location, extensive history and welcoming hospitality. From here we did day trips to Avignon, spent our mornings dining on amazing pastries and exploring the towns fortified walls.

Accommodation in Saint Remy

We stayed at Hostellerie le Chalet Fleuri while staying in Saint Rémy, a very classically French residence which dates back to 1870. With a pool and a gorgeous garden filled with centenary trees, and staff that welcome you like you are part of the family.
The authentic and traditional hotel and location of Saint Rémy will question whether you should go back to your version of normal, at all.

Other Places to Visit in France

Bordeaux

Bordeaux is a fabulous wine region near the western coastline, producing some of the best wines the world has seen. The street architecture and history is as rich as their Merlot, if this sounds a little bit like you then check out the 3 Reasons why Bordeaux may be the Best city in France.