10 Dreamy Villages in Southern France for Food and Wine Lovers
Southern France invites a slower rhythm, where stone villages perch on hillsides and vineyard-covered valleys stretch under gentle sun. For anyone drawn to the idea of a good meal and a better glass of wine, this part of France reveals countless places to linger.
The villages here are more than pretty; they hold deep culinary roots and a commitment to regional traditions. You’ll find markets that sell only what’s grown nearby, and wine poured directly by the people who made it. Let’s see them.
Tavel
Tavel is built around its wine identity and is known for producing one thing very well: rosé with deep color and serious structure. Unlike the pale styles found elsewhere, Tavel rosé pairs well with bold Provençal dishes like bouillabaisse and herbed roast lamb. Tasting rooms here often double as family homes, and the welcome is personal. Strolling between vineyards and stone alleys gives you a clear sense of what makes this village special.
Saint-Rémy-de-Provence
Saint-Rémy blends Provençal charm with a strong food culture that’s easy to fall into. Morning markets fill the air with the scent of lavender and roasted chicken, while nearby vineyards produce Rhône varietals that pair beautifully with local cheeses. Cafés cluster under plane trees, serving seasonal menus built on olives, lamb, and wild herbs. You’ll quickly understand why Van Gogh found so much inspiration here.
Cassis
Cassis along the Mediterranean is known for its white wines and seafood, both served with pride in open-air restaurants facing the sea. Cassis AOC wines are crisp and perfect with dishes like bourride or grilled sea bass. Winemakers often invite visitors into their cellars, where tastings come with stories of harvests and sea air. A walk through the old streets ends best with a glass and a view.
Uzès
Tucked between vineyards and garrigue, Uzès has a noble past and a thriving food scene anchored in tradition. Truffle markets in winter and colorful produce stalls year-round turn the town square into a celebration of flavor. The surrounding Duché d’Uzès vineyards produce reds with character, often poured in vaulted tasting rooms hidden behind ancient stone façades. A long lunch in Uzès often stretches into the late afternoon.
Lourmarin
Lourmarin sits quietly in the Luberon, its golden stone buildings wrapped around wine shops, bakeries, and shaded courtyards. The weekly market overflows with goat cheese, figs, and crusty bread, and restaurants here take time with their menus. The wines of the Luberon, mostly rosés and structured reds, complement the rich, rustic dishes served under vine-covered terraces. It’s a village that favors conversation and second helpings.
Collioure
Near the Spanish border, Collioure is soaked in light and surrounded by vines clinging to steep hills. This seaside village is famous for anchovies and Grenache-based wines, often enjoyed together in small taverns along cobbled lanes. Catalan influences are evident in the food, giving it a spicy edge not found elsewhere in France. The local winemakers, often working on family plots, offer tastings with a view of the sea.
Gordes
Clinging to a hillside above olive groves and lavender fields, Gordes draws travelers with its visual appeal, but it also has strong culinary values. The market is a celebration of Provençal abundance, with stalls selling tapenade, apricots, and hand-pressed oils. Wines come mostly from the nearby Ventoux and Luberon regions and are best enjoyed with a hearty daube or soft goat cheese. Stone alleys lead you between tastings and views that reward every pause.
Saint-Chinian
This village in the Languedoc is deeply connected to its vineyards, which are renowned for producing bold red wines that reflect the rugged terrain. Wine cellars are easy to find, and the people pouring often helped pick the grapes. Markets and restaurants here focus on cassoulet, duck confit, and local sausages, dishes that call for a full-bodied glass. Saint-Chinian offers an honest, grounded taste of southern France.
Ménerbes
Ménerbes rises quietly above vineyards that stretch to the horizon, producing wines marked with the Luberon appellation. The village has inspired writers and artists, yet remains grounded in its daily rhythm of food and farming. Nearby truffle farms open their gates in winter, offering tastings that include everything from butter to omelets infused with the prized fungus. Local reds and rosés round out the experience.
Mougins
Set in the hills above Cannes, Mougins blends art with high-end cuisine, a reputation earned through decades of hosting top chefs and food festivals. Its restaurants offer refined takes on Mediterranean classics, with ingredients pulled directly from nearby markets. Wines primarily come from the Provence and Côteaux d’Aix-en-Provence regions, carefully selected to pair with layered, elegant dishes.
Disclaimer: This list is solely the author’s opinion based on research and publicly available information.
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