A Road Trip Through France: 18 Villages That Take You Back In Time To the Middle Ages
Last updated on October 13th, 2026 at 06:34 pm
Have you ever dreamed of taking a few weeks out of your life and going on a road trip in France? I certainly have, but my dream isn’t for the usual type of road trip. Oh no, I want to do one that takes me through the myriad of gorgeous medieval villages and towns hiding away in France.
I would like to do a full history tour of France. Now, obviously, this would take more than a couple of weeks, so I’ve narrowed it down to eighteen, no mean feat. My other criterion was that they wouldn’t be the obvious ones, such as Carcassonne. They had to be smaller and more off-the-beaten-track type of places.
I wanted to feel like I was on a discovery mission to find the most beautiful, well-preserved places that would allow me to feel as though I were stepping back in time and imagine myself in the Middle Ages, letting the walls of the buildings tell me their stories. Ready to come on a journey of discovery?
How to Use This Itinerary
This isn’t one of those “start at 8 am and don’t blink” kind of itineraries. It’s more of a loose guide, the sort you print out and scribble on in the car. There are eighteen villages on this list, and while you could squeeze them into a two-week trip if you’re moving quickly. But I recommend giving yourself at least three weeks, or longer if you want to stop and actually take a breath.
The route starts in the northeast, in Alsace, and winds its way down to the Mediterranean coast. It makes sense if you’re flying into Strasbourg, or even Basel, just over the border in Switzerland. If you’re flying in from the US or Canada, you might be better off starting in Paris, catching a train to Colmar, and picking up a car from there. Or flip the route and begin in Nice, working your way north; no rules here.
You don’t need to do the whole loop. If you only have a week, pick just a region or two. The Charente and Dordogne pair well, and Provence could easily be its own standalone trip. The key is to follow your curiosity. That’s what this itinerary is really about, not checking boxes, but following those winding roads that always seem to lead to a ruined castle or a crooked doorway.
Medieval Road Trip Stop 1: Alsace
Why Go to Alsace?
Alsace doesn’t look like anywhere else in France, and there’s a reason for that. It has alternated between French and German rule so many times over the centuries that it has adopted both identities. What you get today is a mix of Gothic churches, brightly painted houses with exposed beams, Riesling and Gewürztraminer vineyards, and unapologetically hearty food.
You can gorge yourself silly on tarte flambée, sauerkraut, and more meat than you’d expect from a place so pretty. But beyond the postcard views, this region tells the story of old European borders, religious reform, and daily life in towns that grew up beside castles, not inside them. If you want medieval that’s still alive, Alsace delivers.
1. Kaysersberg
Where it is: In the Haut-Rhin département of Alsace, about 15 minutes from Colmar
What’s nearby: Eguisheim, Turckheim, and the Route des Vins
Dates from: 13th-century castle and town walls, though the area was settled earlier
The story: Kaysersberg sits at the foot of the Vosges mountains and was once a key defensive post on a Roman trade route. The castle ruins still overlook the town, a reminder that this wasn’t always a peaceful place. In the Middle Ages, nobles, bishops, and emperors fiercely contested Kaysersberg, all vying for control over its crossing point into Lorraine.
It was also the birthplace of Albert Schweitzer, the Nobel Peace Prize winner and philosopher, whose childhood home is now a museum. You’ll see crumbling signs of old guilds, carved window beams that lean into the street, and slate roofs patched by hand over centuries.
What not to miss: Climb up to the Château de Kaysersberg. It’s a steep but short hike from the main street and takes you through vineyards before reaching the stone ruins. You can walk along parts of the old tower and look out over the rooftops and the river valley. Back in town, stop by the covered bridge over the Weiss River. It has been standing since the 1500s and is still in use today.
Top travel tip: If you’re here in late spring, look out for the small local wine festival where winemakers open up their cellars for free tastings.
2. Colmar
Where it is: In the heart of Alsace, close to both Eguisheim and Kaysersberg
What’s nearby: Right on the Alsace wine route, with access to the Vosges mountains
Dates from: First documented in the 9th century, with major development in the 13th and 14th centuries
The story: Colmar is larger than the other Alsace villages, but its medieval core still retains its integrity. It escaped major war damage, and you’ll see it in the wooden-framed houses, canal paths, and market squares. In the Middle Ages, Colmar prospered on the back of the wine trade and a series of royal charters that granted it special status within the Holy Roman Empire.
It also became a hub of religious conflict during the Reformation, and you’ll still spot Lutheran churches tucked beside Catholic ones. The Unterlinden Museum is situated in a former convent and houses a massive 16th-century altarpiece that once terrified worshippers with its depiction of the crucifixion.
What not to miss: Little Venice is the postcard shot, a stretch of canal framed by old tanners’ houses, but head to Rue des Marchands if you want to feel the medieval heartbeat. The street is lined with guild houses, covered passageways, and signs carved in Latin.
The Maison Pfister, built in 1537, is a standout: it’s got wooden galleries, stone arcades, and biblical frescoes, all stacked into one crooked building that’s barely changed in five centuries.
Top travel tip: Come in early December. Colmar’s Christmas markets are among the oldest in Europe, and the decorations stay true to tradition. If possible, visit midweek; weekends tend to get crowded and lose their atmosphere.
3. Eguisheim
Where it is: Just south of Colmar, on the Alsace wine route
What’s nearby: Colmar, Turckheim, and the edge of the Vosges mountains
Dates from: Settled by the 8th century, with most of the current buildings from the 13th to 17th centuries
The story: Eguisheim is built in perfect concentric circles around a feudal castle ruin at its center. This layout wasn’t just aesthetically pleasing; it was also defensive. The narrow streets were easily blockable in case of an attack, and the stone houses once doubled as fortifications. It’s also known as the birthplace of Pope Leo IX, a reformer pope who pushed back against corruption in the 11th century.
There’s a small chapel dedicated to him, though most people come for the wine and the storybook setting. But underneath all the flowers and shutters, you’ll still find old wells, worn sandstone, and weathered lintels that mark just how far back this place goes.
What not to miss: Take the full circle walk around the village walls. It’s not long, maybe 20 minutes if you don’t stop, but the changing angles, painted houses, and old stonework show off the village from every side. Step into the Saint-Léon fountain square and look for the tiny sculpted heads around the basin. It’s said to have been the inspiration for the latest Disney Beauty and the Beast movie.
Top travel tip: Don’t drive in. Park outside the village walls and walk. The streets are narrow and not built for modern cars. Early evening is the best time to visit. The light hits the buildings just right, and most of the day-trippers have gone.
Medieval Road Trip Stop 2: Burgundy
Why Go to Burgundy
Most people think of Burgundy for its wine, and fair enough, the vineyards here are world-class. But this region was once a powerhouse. In the Middle Ages, the Dukes of Burgundy were wealthier than the King of France and held land that extended from Burgundy all the way to the Netherlands.
Their wealth shaped the towns and villages, many of which still feel like they’re waiting for the next duke to pass through on horseback. What makes Burgundy worth the detour is Romanesque abbeys, fortified hill towns, and villages where nothing is trying too hard to impress you. It just is. The pace is slower, the stories run deep, and the stone under your feet tells its own version of French history.
4. Flavigny-sur-Ozerain
Where it is: Northern Burgundy, about an hour from Dijon
What’s nearby: Alésia (site of the Roman battle), Semur-en-Auxois, and the Abbey of Fontenay
Dates from: Originally a Gallo-Roman settlement, developed into a fortified town by the 8th century
The story: Flavigny is built on the bones of an ancient Roman camp, but it found its identity as a medieval religious center. Monks settled here in the 700s and founded an abbey that became the backbone of the village. The narrow stone lanes still follow the original monastic layout. It’s not just monks and relics, though.
Flavigny is also known for its aniseed candies, which are handmade in the old abbey buildings. And if it looks familiar, it might be from the film Chocolat with Juliette Binoche and Johnny Depp. The movie was partly filmed here. Beneath the sweet smell of candy is a village shaped by centuries of religious devotion, invasions, and slow resilience.
What not to miss: Step inside the Saint-Pierre Church. Parts of it go back to the 11th century, and the crypt holds the relics of Saint Reine, a local martyr said to have been beheaded by a Roman officer for refusing to renounce her faith. You can also walk the full village loop along its ramparts and stop by the candy workshop where the monks’ legacy is still being spun into sugar.
Top travel tip: If you’re coming in spring, aim for the Saint Reine pilgrimage weekend, when the village fills with processions and old traditions resurface for a day or two.
🏨 Hotels in Flavigny-sur-Ozerain
5. Semur-en-Auxois
Where it is: In the Côte-d’Or département, central Burgundy
What’s nearby: Montbard, the Abbey of Fontenay, and Flavigny-sur-Ozerain
Dates from: Fortified in the 11th century, with major expansions during the Hundred Years’ War
The story: Semur-en-Auxois grew up on a granite outcrop surrounded by a bend in the Armançon River, which made it a natural stronghold. Its name comes from “Sine muros,” meaning “without walls,” which is ironic given the size of the ones still standing. This place wasn’t just fortified, it was armed to the teeth.
Four surviving towers still anchor the ramparts, and the streets inside once echoed with the sound of blacksmiths and soldiers preparing for battle. It was a strategic town during the Hundred Years’ War, but when gunpowder arrived and walls stopped mattering as much, Semur faded into the background. What’s left now is a town that wears its scars openly.
What not to miss: Walk down to the Pont Joly, the stone bridge that crosses the river and gives you the postcard view of the town. From here, the towers rise straight out of the rock, and you get a sense of the place.. Climb up the Tour de l’Orle d’Or if it’s open. It offers a panoramic view over the rooftops and countryside.
Top travel tip: If you’re not accustomed to driving in narrow medieval streets, consider parking outside the center and walking in. Some of the streets inside the old town are barely wide enough for a small car, and there’s no shame in keeping your bumpers scratch-free.
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Medieval Road Trip Stop 3:
Why Go to the Charente
The Charente is in southwest France, between the Dordogne and the Atlantic coast, and about two hours north of Bordeaux. It’s mostly rural, with old villages, rolling farmland, and river valleys that still follow medieval lines. Not many tourists make a point of coming here, which is probably why it still feels real. I live here, and what I’ve come to appreciate is how history still seems to live everywhere.
There are chateaux everywhere, and it’s similar to the Dordogne. Most of the villages look as though they could be on the set of a medieval saga, with market halls, old stone-shuttered buildings, village wells, and bread ovens. You won’t find crowds or curated experiences, but if you’re curious and you take your time, this part of France has plenty to say.
6. Verteuil-sur-Charente
Where it is: Northern Charente, just below Ruffec
What’s nearby: La Rochefoucauld, Nanteuil-en-Vallée, and the Angoulême–Poitiers rail line
Dates from: Established by the 11th century, with earlier roots around the river crossing
The story: Verteuil is shaped by its château, no question. The La Rochefoucauld family owned it for over a thousand years, and despite the building having witnessed battles, sieges, and revolutionary attacks, it remains standing, albeit now privately owned. You can’t go inside, but the view from the outside is stunning with its cylindrical, Rapunzel-esque towers.
The rest of the village runs along the Charente River, with the old flour mill, which is now a restaurant, a public lavoir, and narrow lanes where the stone walls seem to lean in on you. It’s small, but there’s history in every direction, and none of it feels like it’s been tidied up for tourists.
What not to miss: Walk down to the river below the bridge and follow the path past the old mill. It gives you the clearest view of the château’s towers and walls reflected in the water. You’ll also spot old retaining walls and arches built to control the river’s flow when the mill was still active. The church nearby is worth visiting, especially for its carved capitals and the 16th-century tomb inside.
Top travel tip: Sundays are the best time to go as the market is on in the morning in the square. You can then go for lunch at Porte Bleu or enjoy a wine in the square at the Bistro.
7. La Rochefoucauld
Where it is: In the eastern Charente, about 20 minutes from Angoulême
What’s nearby: Verteuil-sur-Charente, Chabanais, and the Tardoire River valley
Dates from: The château was founded in the 11th century, with the village growing around it soon after
The story: La Rochefoucauld has been tied to its château for over a thousand years. The family name is known across France, but here it’s local. The château dominates the town, sitting high on a rock above the Tardoire River, and still belongs to the same family that built it. Unlike Verteuil, this one is open to the public, and the mix of medieval towers and Renaissance wings provides a good glimpse into how power evolved over the centuries.
The village itself has always been shaped by what was going on inside those walls. During the Wars of Religion, this place saw its share of conflict, and traces of it remain in the street layout and the older stone buildings.
What not to miss: Visit the château, especially the spiral staircase. It’s said to have been designed by Leonardo da Vinci. Whether that’s true or not, it’s an architectural standout and leads to a view over the river and rooftops. After that, walk the lane behind the château down to the river and cross the old stone bridge. You’ll pass the ancient convent and an old mill, both worth a pause. Plus, there is a great chocolate factory where all the chocolates are made on site.
Top travel tip: Avoid Mondays and Tuesdays as most things will be closed, and even the château has limited hours early in the week.
🏨 Hotels near La Rochefoucauld
8. Aubeterre-sur-Dronne
Where it is: Southern Charente, right near the border with the Dordogne
What’s nearby: Saint-Aulaye, Ribérac, and just over an hour to Périgueux
Dates from: Developed in the 12th century, with earlier roots tied to Roman routes and early Christian hermit settlements
The story: Aubeterre sits above the Dronne River on a steep slope, and the street layout hasn’t changed much since the Middle Ages. But what sets it apart is what’s hidden inside the cliff. Beneath the main church is a monolithic church carved entirely out of the limestone from the inside out.
It was built in the 1100s, likely by monks returning from the Crusades who had seen cave churches in the Holy Land. The space is massive, featuring a 20-meter-high vaulted ceiling, a reliquary pit, and a gallery that overlooks it all. Above ground, the village has arcaded streets, shuttered houses, and quiet squares that feel like they’ve been left to age naturally.
What not to miss: Go into the underground church even if you’re not usually one for religious sites. The scale of it doesn’t hit until you’re standing inside. Make time for the cemetery up the hill, too. The stone sarcophagi carved into the rock are older than the church and still sit in the open. Afterward, grab a drink in the central square and take it all in.
Top travel tip: If you’re coming in summer, arrive early in the day. The village gets hot by midday, and tour groups tend to clog the square and the church entrance. Parking is limited near the top, so wear decent shoes and expect a bit of a climb if you’re walking up from the lower lot.
🏨 Hotels near Aubeterre sur Dronne
Medieval Road Trip Stop 4: The Dordogne
Why Go to the Dordogne
The Dordogne is one of the most historically rich areas in France, particularly during the medieval period. It was a key battleground during the Hundred Years’ War, caught between English and French forces, and you’ll still see signs of that in the fortified villages, hilltop castles, and riverside keeps that line the valleys.
This region was also home to some of France’s earliest stone bastide towns, built with straight streets and central squares to control trade and defend territory. These weren’t showpiece villages. They were practical, strategic, and designed to survive conflict. Today, the Dordogne draws visitors mostly for its food, scenery, and slower pace, but if you pay attention, you’ll see how much of that old structure is still standing. It hasn’t been flattened and rebuilt. It’s been used, adapted, and lived in.
9. Brantôme
Where it is: Northern Dordogne, in the Périgord Vert
What’s nearby: Nontron, Bourdeilles, and the edge of the Charente border
Dates from: The abbey was founded in the 8th century. The medieval town took shape between the 11th and 13th centuries
The story: Brantôme had a long and violent past. The abbey was raided by Vikings in the 800s, rebuilt in stone, and later scarred by the Wars of Religion. What remains is a mix of old walls, deep-rooted legends, and rock-carved spaces that monks once used to live, pray, and hide. Behind the abbey is a series of troglodyte caves where you’ll still find strange carvings, including one showing what looks like a medieval vision of the Last Judgment.
No one really knows who carved it or when. The Dronne River curves around the village, giving the place its rhythm and powering mills that define the layout.
What not to miss: Walk through the abbey and straight out the back to the caves. This is the most unusual part of Brantôme, and it’s easy to miss if you don’t know it’s there. Then follow the path past the old mill race, where the sound of rushing water has remained unchanged for centuries. Keep an eye out for graffiti scratched into the stone by pilgrims and prisoners. Some of it dates back hundreds of years.
Top travel tip: If your budget stretches, go for a meal at Le Moulin de l’Abbeye. It’s possibly the best meal I’ve ever had in France, and the setting is absolutely stunning, right on the river.
10. Sarlat-la-Canéda
Where it is: Southeastern Dordogne, in the Périgord Noir
What’s nearby: Domme, La Roque-Gageac, and the Vézère Valley
Dates from: First established around a Benedictine abbey in the 9th century, with the town developing across the 12th to 15th centuries
The story: Sarlat became rich on truffles, walnuts, and trade. That wealth is still evident in its golden limestone buildings, many of which were constructed by powerful merchants, not nobles. During the medieval period, the abbey here held significant influence and helped shape the town into a center of both religious and economic activity.
Later, Sarlat was a key location during the Hundred Years’ War, changing hands multiple times. It didn’t modernize quickly, which is why much of its medieval core remains intact. The town’s slow decline meant no one redeveloped it, and by the time restoration began in the 1960s, the foundations were still there..
What not to miss: The truffle market. Sarlat is one of the few places in France where you can buy black Périgord truffles from the source. The peak is in January, but if you’re visiting in winter, be sure to check out the Saturday morning market near Place de la Liberté.
The old Sainte-Marie church has been converted into a covered market, and upstairs, there’s a panoramic lift that offers a full view of the rooftops. Walk the back lanes behind the main square and you’ll still find old merchant houses with carved stone ledgers over the doorways showing trade signs, measurements, and family crests.
Top travel tip: Time your visit for late January during the Sarlat Fest’Oie, the annual festival celebrating geese and truffles. You’ll see open-air markets, truffle demonstrations, and whole geese roasting in the square.
11. Monpazier
Where it is: Southern Dordogne, near the border with Lot-et-Garonne
What’s nearby: Villefranche-du-Périgord, Biron, and the Château de Gavaudun
Dates from: Founded in 1284 by Edward I of England during the reign of the Plantagenets
The story: Monpazier was built as a bastide, a fortified town laid out on a strict grid, designed to control trade, collect taxes, and hold power in disputed territory. Its English roots are still obvious. The layout is perfectly rectangular, with a central square surrounded by arcaded walkways and houses that were built to match set specifications.
Every corner was built with strategy in mind. Over the centuries, Monpazier managed to avoid major destruction. That’s why you can still walk the same streets and see the same stone market hall, measuring devices carved into the walls, and drainage systems that haven’t changed much since the 1300s.
What not to miss: The 13th-century market hall in the main square is original, complete with timber beams and stone counters. Look closely and you’ll spot the old grain measures carved into the stone nearby, used to standardize trade. The square also has passages leading out in all directions, so step off the main path and follow the grid through the rest of the village.
Top travel tip: Look up. Some of the oldest inscriptions, dates, and building markers are carved just above eye level, especially on the arcades and around the doorways. Most people miss them completely.
12. Saint-Cirq-Lapopie
Where it is: In the Lot département, perched above the River Lot
What’s nearby: Cahors, Rocamadour, and the Pech Merle prehistoric caves
Dates from: Established as a strategic stronghold in the 10th century, with major development through the 13th and 14th centuries
The story: Saint-Cirq-Lapopie was once a fortress village, guarding the river route below and watching over merchant traffic between Cahors and the Atlantic. Its clifftop position wasn’t chosen for beauty. It was about control and defense. Three noble families ruled it in the Middle Ages, and their fortified houses are still visible among the steep lanes. The village became renowned for its skilled woodturners and artisans, who crafted a wide range of items, from religious statues to fine furniture.
That trade carried on for centuries. In the 20th century, the poet André Breton bought a house here and called the village a place where “I stopped wanting to be anywhere else.” That line made it famous, but it was the survival of the original medieval layout, with its stone facades, narrow alleys, and steep staircases, that kept it on the map.
What not to miss: Walk the towpath carved into the cliff just below the village. It was originally cut by hand to guide boats along the Lot River, and it gives you a different view of the rock face Saint-Cirq sits on. In the village, step into the old woodturners’ house where tools and products are still on display.
Top travel tip: Consider visiting in early June if possible. The weather is good, the crowds haven’t fully arrived, and the light is perfect for photography without it feeling curated. If you’re walking, bring water and be ready for steep climbs. This village doesn’t make anything easy, and that’s part of the point.
🏨 Accommodation near Saint-Cirq-Lapopie
Medieval Road Trip Stop 5: Occitanie
Why Go to Occitanie
Occitanie is huge. It stretches from the Pyrenees to the Mediterranean and includes everything from mountain villages to hilltop fortresses. However, the part we’re focusing on is situated in the southwest, where stone bridges span narrow rivers and medieval towns still bear the scars of conflict.
This was Cathar country in the 12th and 13th centuries, a region pulled apart by heresy trials, crusades, and shifting loyalties between local lords and the crown. The villages here weren’t built to impress. They were built to hold out. You’ll find places clinging to cliffs, built into river bends, or perched high above the valleys. Some still have their ramparts, others were never finished.
13. Belcastel
Where it is: In the Aveyron département of Occitanie, on the Aveyron River
What’s nearby: Villefranche-de-Rouergue, Najac, and the causse plateaus
Dates from: The village took shape around the 11th century. The castle was restored in the late 20th century, but the original foundations are medieval
The story: Belcastel grew around its fortress. The château sits high above the river, once the seat of the Lords of Belcastel, and for a long time, it was left in ruins. What you see today is the result of a painstaking restoration by architect Fernand Pouillon, who bought the ruins in the 1970s and rebuilt them using traditional techniques and local stone.
The village that spreads below is almost unchanged. Stone houses line the river, and a medieval bridge links both sides. This wasn’t a trade hub or a major city; it was a defensive outpost and a working rural village. You can still see how the layout was designed for control, not comfort.
What not to miss: Cross the old stone bridge and walk the cobbled lane up toward the château. On the way, you’ll pass the village church, where the original tomb of Alzias de Saunhac, a 14th-century knight, still lies. The château is now a private museum and gallery space, often hosting exhibitions that feel strangely modern in such an old space. Down by the river, look for the old communal bread oven and remnants of a mill system that once kept the whole place running.
Top travel tip: Avoid flip-flops. The stones on the way up to the château are uneven, steep, and brutal in wet weather. If you’re not up for the climb, stick to the river path, which still gives you the best view of the fortress towering above the village.
🏨 Accommodation near Belcastel
14. Puycelsi
Where it is: In the Tarn département of Occitanie, overlooking the Vère Valley
What’s nearby: Cordes-sur-Ciel, Gaillac, and the Grésigne Forest
Dates from: Fortified in the 10th century by Benedictine monks, with expansions through the 13th and 14th centuries
The story: Puycelsi was built to keep people out. Perched on a rocky spur above a thick forest, it was a defensive site used by the Celts, Romans, and ultimately by the medieval church. The village was fortified by monks from the Abbey of Aurillac, who clearly knew how to pick a good vantage point.
During the Hundred Years’ War, it held firm while nearby settlements were flattened or burned. Even after peace was established, the village remained isolated. That isolation preserved its thick walls, old timber buildings, and the layout designed to confuse attackers. You can walk the ramparts and still see where archers would have stood, how the town was walled in, and where the gates once locked tight for the night.
What not to miss: The full rampart walk. It loops the entire edge of the village and gives you open views across the valley and deep into the Grésigne Forest. The Église Saint-Corneille looks plain from the outside but holds rare 15th-century woodwork and a pulpit carved with brutal honesty. Walk the outer edge of the village at dusk, when the light drops and the forest starts to feel a bit too close. That’s when you get the clearest sense of why the walls mattered.
Top travel tip: Bring water and snacks. There’s not always a café open, especially outside summer, and the nearest shops are a good drive away. This is the kind of place you come to walk and explore, not to sit and be catered to.
Medieval Road Trip Stop 6: Provence
Provence gets plenty of attention for its lavender fields and sun-soaked markets, but it’s easy to forget just how old it is. Before the Romans showed up, the Greeks were already trading here. What we call Provence today was once the first Roman province beyond the Alps. That layered history is evident in the architecture, road networks, and villages that seem to have barely changed since the Middle Ages.
Inland Provence, away from the beaches, is full of hilltop towns that were once fortified lookouts or agricultural outposts. These weren’t built to be beautiful; they were built to last. Some still carry the old stone ramparts, watchtowers, or medieval farm terraces. Others have Roman foundations hiding under later walls. The light is real, the heat can be brutal, and the villages have the kind of history that doesn’t always make it into travel guides.
15. Les Baux-de-Provence
Where it is: In the Alpilles hills, Bouches-du-Rhône département, Provence
What’s nearby: Saint-Rémy-de-Provence, Arles, and the Camargue
Dates from: The village was a fortress site from the 10th century, but had earlier Roman occupation
The story: The ruins of its medieval fortress stretch across a bare limestone plateau with drop-offs on either side. It once controlled access to the entire region, making it both powerful and dangerous. The Lords of Baux claimed descent from the Magi and acted like it.
At their height, they controlled dozens of surrounding towns and challenged everyone from rival nobles to the king. Eventually, the French Crown had enough and tore the place down in the 1600s to stop it from being used as a base for rebellion. The village below the ruins survived, but only just. Now it’s a strange mix of worn medieval bones and heavy foot traffic.
What not to miss: Climb up through the old château ruins. You can still see catapult replicas and the remains of a chapel and siege towers. It’s dry, exposed, and rough underfoot, but that’s what makes it feel real. Just below, don’t skip the Carrières de Lumières, an old quarry turned into an immersive light show set against stone walls. It’s unexpected but worth it.
Top travel tip: Go in spring or autumn. The summer heat reflects off the stone, making walking unbearable. Bring solid walking shoes, as you’ll be climbing over rough ground, and there’s almost no shade.
🏨Accommodation near Les Baux-de-Provence
16. Gordes
Where it is: In the Vaucluse département of Provence, on the edge of the Luberon
What’s nearby: Roussillon, the Abbey of Sénanque, and the Luberon Regional Park
Dates from: The first records date to the 11th century, though settlement traces go back to Roman times
The story: Gordes looks like a fortress carved into a hill. It was exactly that for most of its history. Built to oversee the Cavalon Valley, it became a defensive site during the constant medieval power struggles. The château at the top was rebuilt in the Renaissance after sustaining damage during the Wars of Religion, and later served as a shelter for resistance fighters during World War II.
Gordes has always drawn outsiders, too, artists, writers, and those chasing the light.
What not to miss: The Sénanque Abbey, just outside Gordes, is still home to a small group of monks. It’s simple and quiet, especially if you go early. In the village itself, explore the cellars under the Saint-Firmin Palace. They’re carved directly into the rock and give a good sense of what life looked like when protection mattered more than views.
Top travel tip: Go in late September. You’ll miss the crowds but still catch the dry heat and long evenings. And bring cash because some of the smaller shops and market stalls don’t take cards.
17. Sainte-Agnès
Where it is: In the Alpes-Maritimes, near Menton and the Italian border
What’s nearby: Menton, Gorbio, and the Mediterranean coast
Dates from: The village appears in records from the 12th century, though fortifications were added in the 16th century
The story: Sainte-Agnès is the highest coastal village in Europe. From its perch over 2,500 feet above sea level, you can look down at the sea but still feel like you’re deep in the mountains. Its strategic position meant it was fortified repeatedly, including with a Maginot Line bunker built before WWII.
That mix of ancient stone houses and 20th-century concrete defenses tells you everything you need to know about the place; it’s lived through a lot.
What not to miss: Visit the Fort de Sainte-Agnès. It’s a full underground military complex dug into the cliffs, and it’s chilling and fascinating all at once. Walk the upper path behind the village for a panoramic view that shows just how far you can see from this spot. You’ll understand why it was so heavily defended.
Top travel tip: Bring a jacket. Even in summer, it can be windy and cooler than you’d expect. The road up is steep and narrow, so take it slow and avoid arriving late in the day.
🏨Accommodation near Sainte-Agnès
18. Èze
Where it is: Between Nice and Monaco on the Côte d’Azur
What’s nearby: Cap-Ferrat, Villefranche-sur-Mer, and the Nietzsche Path
Dates from: The 12th century, with earlier settlement by the Moors and possibly the Phoenicians
The story: Èze might have the most dramatic location of all. Built high on a cliff with sheer drops into the sea, it feels like a natural lookout, and that’s what it was. The village changed hands between Romans, Moors, and Savoy rulers, each adding layers to the stone streets and walled layout. In the Middle Ages, its narrow alleys and steep steps were easier to defend than to attack. Today, it gets attention for its views, but there’s a lot more here than just a photo stop.
What not to miss: Climb to the top of the Jardin Exotique. It’s a terraced garden set in the ruins of the old château and filled with Mediterranean and desert plants. The view over the sea is unbelievable, but the garden also has quiet spots with statues and plaques that tell the story of Èze’s past. If you’re feeling adventurous, walk the Nietzsche Path down to the sea, but be warned, it’s steep and rough going.
Top travel tip: Don’t go at midday. Tour buses unload in waves between 11:00 a.m. and 2:00 p.m. Arrive early or late for a quieter, more relaxed experience.
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