The Prettiest Villages in the South of France

The south of France: a phantasmagoria of sherbet yellow sunflower fields, crumbling medieval ramparts, row upon row of vineyards below hilltop hamlets, thick with the herby aromas of the garrigue and soundtracked by the languid clink of boules in the sunshine. It’s adored by Cezanne and Monet for its enchanting, translucent light, revered by Brigitte Bardot and Grace Kelly for its ritzy Riviera and celebrated by Palme d’Or winners Coppola and Scorsese for its cultural status. With Cannes Film Festival set to take place from 13th-24th May, we’ve rounded up our favourite French villages to escape the urban chaos and ease into a slower pace of life.

Seillans

With its 12th-century castle clinging to a precipice overlooking a valley of golden olive groves, this enchanting village has been plucked straight out of a medieval fairytale. The steep cobbled alleys wind like capillaries through the hilltop, interrupted by vine-shaded squares with quaint bistros and burbling fountains. It’s no wonder that surrealist artist Max Ernst moved here and drank sharp cups of coffee with the locals. We recommend staying at the Hotel Du Couvent in Nice, a serene retreat just an hour’s drive from Seillans which takes a farm-to-table approach to dining.

VIEW OF SEILLANS ON THE HILL

Ramatuelle

This postcard perfect medieval village, sieged by powdery lavender fields, offers a tranquil respite from the Saint Tropézian glitterati. As you meander through the honeysuckle-lined streets, admire the gilded interiors of the 16th-century Notre Dame church, on the way to the Arabian-style Napoleonic prison. The arbored central square is filled with lively bars and restaurants, where you can let the romance of the French Riviera wash over you. Stay at Hotel Byblos, a luxurious spot just a ten-minute drive away, which will also be hosting ASMALLWORLD Summer Weekend.

RAMATUELLE, OVERLOOKING THE COAST

Albi

A bygone town of Renaissance cloisters and ramshackle houses, Albi is constructed from terracotta clay, earning its name ‘la ville rouge’. The bowed red-brick viaduct that connects the two banks of the Tarn was built by Medieval villagers whose fingerprints remain preserved in the sun-baked bricks. The birthplace of artist Toulouse Lautrec and home to more than 1000 paintings of his paintings, Albi is a glorious rural town that stays buzzy during all seasons. We recommend staying further south at Hôtel de la Cité Carcassonne, which is situated in a preserved citadel and offers Michelin-star dining.

VIADUCTS OVER THE RIVER TARN IN ALBI

Discover a curated selection of luxury hotels across the South of France on ASMALLWORLD Collection, and enjoy the best of the season with ASMALLWORLD Events, hosting members-only gatherings alongside iconic events like the Monaco Grand Prix, the Cannes Film Festival and, of course, ASMALLWORLD Summer Weekend in Saint-Tropez.