6 Places to Visit in the Southern French Countryside

Last updated on November 22nd, 2022 at 01:03 pm

France is a fabulous country; expansive and packed full of amazing things to do. While the big cities are nice, the French countryside also has tons to offer visitors. And, to be honest, I would say that this is where you will discover “true France”. There are so many hidden gems waiting to be uncovered! In this post, I will share some of my favorite places in the Southern French Countryside. I hope that introducing you to these beautiful places (that might not immediately come to mind as easily as Paris) will inspire you to also consider a visit here as well.

***Disclaimer: Always be sure to check the current entry restrictions and regulations for France as well as any activity you would like to participate in before booking any part of your journey!

1. Valensole, France

If you are looking for rolling fields of luscious-smelling lavender, then Valensole is the place for you. The village’s name “Valensole” comes from Latin “vallis” and “solis” and translates to “valley of the sun”. Let me tell you, it certainly lived up to its name during our visit. 😀 The medieval town is built into the side of the plateau that shares it name and is shaped somewhat like an amphitheater. With its narrow streets and alleys, it is a fun place to walk around and explore.

But, what makes it even better is that this is one of the best places to see lavender fields in summer. They even have a lavender festival that takes place in mid-July! Unfortunately, despite our best laid plans, our visit was during the pandemic. Thus, the festival was canceled. But, we did not feel like that detract from our experience whatsoever. We still had a great time taking in all the sites, smells, and tastes in this adorable southern French countryside village.

Best Things to do In or Near Valensole

Chapelle du Tholonet – This chapel is a perfect place to get some great Instagram photos! (see photo above on the left)

Musée de la Lavenda – At this cute little museum, you can learn all about the history of lavender farming and the distillation process (see the middle photo above). Did you know: there are two types of flowers? Lavender and lavandin? You can learn about the difference between them here!

Eat Lavender Ice Cream – Because you can’t visit the lavender fields and not eat lavender ice cream!

Visit the Lavender Shop – This shop sells honey and all kinds of farm products. They also have sachets of lavender and other souvenirs for purchase.

Best Lavender Fields Near Valensole

Important Considerations

Before sharing great spots for your lavender photos, I would like to take a moment to share a few reminders.

1. Do not, I repeat, DO NOT pick the lavender. This is the livelihood of these farmers and it is important to respect their work and property. If you decide that you want photos holding some beautiful, fragrant flowers, then please support the growers by purchasing them locally.

2. Also, some farmers might have signs up or ropes up because they forbid photography on their property. If you see anything of this sort, please respect their wishes.

3. Do not step on nor sit on the the lavender. There are pathways between the rows of lavender which makes it easier to get around. Again, it is a courtesy that the farmers allow you onto their fields. It is important that we as visitors respect their work and property.

4. Be respectful of the bees. If you are going to be walking through a field of lavender, you can expect to come across many bees. They love the smell as much as we do and they love the sweet nectar even more. Remember, if you ignore and respect them, they will ignore and respect you.
Also, if you happen to be allergic to bees, I do not recommend walking through the lavender fields.

List of Lavender Fields Near Valensole

Lavandes Angelvin – this lavender field also has a sunflower field. They also have a little shop where you can buy all kinds of lavender goods.

Lavender Field – beautiful spot for some great shots.

Musée de la Lavande – Not only do they have a little lavender field, they also have some beautiful areas to take memorable photos. (see photos above)

There are many fields all over the area and you can drive in search of your own favorite spot!

2. Moustiers-Sainte-Marie, France

This little village wasn’t on our list. I had never even heard of it, except that we were looking for somewhere to have lunch. I was simply looking at google and this village had so many food options, so I said “Hey! Let’s stop there!” We had no idea what a beautiful and unique place we were about to discover. My only regret is that I wish I could have spent more than just a few hours visiting this beautiful village, tucked away in the southern French countryside.

Best Things To Do in Moustiers-Sainte-Marie

Walk up to Notre Dame de Beauvoir – This church is tucked away into the natural rock formation and marks the highest point in town. The path to get up to the church is very steep and there are a lot of steps. While the view is indeed gorgeous, please consider these challenges before choosing to embark on your hike.

Admire the Ravin de Notre Dame where a stream flows through the center of town.

Shop at the local Artisan Gift Stores.

Visit Lac Sainte Croix – This manmade lake is where we were actually heading when we stopped at Moustiers-Sainte-Marie. This is a great place to relax and swim. In addition, there are multiple places to rent paddle boats, canoes, and kayaks.

Verdon Gorge Tour – This was not something we had time for on our journey. But, it looks awesome and is something I would love to go back and do!

3. Carcassonne, France

Carcasonne Castle Medieval City in Southern France

Battlements of Carcasonne Castle Medieval City in Southern France

If you are looking for a medieval fortress to explore, then the Cité de Carcassonne is the place for you. We had so much fun here! This UNESCO World Heritage site is one of the best preserved medieval towns in Europe. Plus, there are many great things for the whole family to enjoy here. There are lots of shops to explore, things to do, and places to eat at within the city walls. There are also special events including medieval demonstrations and jousting. (Of course, all special events are subject to covid regulations and may be canceled at any time.)

Best Things to do in Carcassonne

Take a Walking Tour With a Knight – This tour was so much fun! The guide was very entertaining and really brought the history to life. He also did a lot to help make it entertaining and interesting for the kids. Please note that the tour was given in both French and English. The tour is run by the Centre d’Histoire Vivante Medievale and you can visit their website for information on booking a tour.

Walk Along the Battlements – You can buy your tickets at the official website.

Basilique Saint Nazaire – Beautiful Gothic style basilica.

Eat Cassoulet – This local casserole dish contains meat and white beans. It is a hearty dish packed with flavor! We really enjoyed ours at Restaurant Au Four.

Visit the Torture Museum and the Inquisition Museum – They are both small and won’t take too much time, but you have the ability to enter both museums with your ticket.
Please note that these are NOT child friendly places. Please use proper discretion when deciding whether or not to visit these museums.

For more information on Carcassonne, please visit my other post: Stunning Châteaux You Will Want to Visit in France

4. Abbaye Notre-Dame de Sénanque Near Gordes

This might just be one of the most famous lavender fields in all of France. It is tucked away in the hills near Gordes, France. And, it is also a wonderfully peaceful place to visit in the Southern French countryside. Please note that this particular lavender field itself was walled off for visitors. But, I managed to take the iconic photo above by peaking over the wall.

Visiting the Abbaye Notre-Dame de Sénanque Monastery

I really enjoyed this tour a LOT. It is well designed to allow visitors to explore and learn about the manstery and the monk’s way of life. And, at the same time, it is not disruptive to their lives. After paying, visitors are given a tablet called a HistoPad. As you move through the rooms, the tablet shows an image of the room you are in. There is the option to read about the room and also click on certain artifacts. When you do so, more information as well as short, soundless movies pop up.

You can learn more about the prices, hours of operation, and other information at the official website.

5. Palais Idéal du Facteur Cheval in Hauterives

Palais Ideal du Facteur Cheval in France

This is by far the most unique palace I have ever visited in my life. It was built by a local postman, Facteur Cheval, using rocks that he collected on his postal route. The inspiration for the palace came from the landscape and surroundings that he encountered on on his mail delivery route. It was built in his garden over the course of 33 years. In 1912, the palace was completed when Facteur Cheval was 77 years old.

A walk around the palace is an adventure in and of itself. You are able to climb stairs, crawl on and under various spots. Throughout your exploration, you will discover animals, plants, people, mini palaces, chandeliers, and more. It seems that there is no end to the amount of discovery that can take place here.

During your visit, you can also learn more about the man who built this beautiful palace. While the life of Facteur Cheval was quite tragic, it is apparent that he dreamed of beauty and a better world. His “Ideal Palace” remains as an emblem of that dream.

Visiting the Palais Idéal

For information on ticket prices, opening hours, and help planning your visit, please visit the Palais Idéal du Facteur Cheval official website.

6. Gordes, France

Unfortunately, we did not have time to visit Gordes, France. I only had just enough time to snap a photo of this adorable village before we had to keep on driving to our next destination. But, I would love to go back and explore this area as well as many other areas of the southern French countryside.

Quick List of Things to do in This Sweet Little Village on a Hill

Abbaye Notre-Dame de Sénanque – Of course I mentioned this above because it is just so beautiful and absolutely deserves a visit. Even if you are not visiting in the summer when the lavender fields are blooming, the tour of the abbey is absolutely worth it.

The Gordes Chateau

The Caves of the Palais Saint Firmin

Gordes View Point – This is the best view point just outside of the town. Specifically, it is where I took the photo above.

Village de Boires – This is a little open-air museum just outside of town.

In Conclusion

I hope that this post has inspired you to consider the Southern French Countryside for your next French vacation! And, I hope it has given you some great ideas on where to go and what to do during your stay.

Happy Travels,
<3 Christine