10 Must-See Towns in Provence

The smell of lavender wafting in a summer breeze, the gentle swaying of hillside olive groves, empty sun-swept corridors between picturesque stone buildings: Provence is a region full of sensory romance, rewarding travelers with its breathtaking vistas, mouthwatering cuisine, and small-town tranquility. The Romans once dominated this area, and many of the towns serve as visual historical accounts of France’s southwestern region, with remnants of Roman, Byzantine, Medieval, and Renaissance structures incorporated into the modern construction of the upscale, but still quaint towns. The secret is out on Provence, and the area has always been well-known spot for celebrity vacationers, but there’s still plenty that’s slightly off the beaten track. When you’ve had your fill of idyllic lanes in famous Aix-en-Provence and enjoyed St. Tropez’s legendary beaches, head for one of these smaller, lesser known towns.—Abbey Chase