Home to big name cities such as Marseille, Avignon, Nice, and much more, the Provence-Alpes-Côte-d'Azur region is nothing to be scoffed at. It boasts bright sunflower days, rose-colored sunsets, and cool midnight-blue nights. While these big-name cities annually attract a huge number of visitors, the small, off-the-beaten-path towns are just as alluring. Former DK Overseas Ambassador Jesse Tanson shares three small Provence towns to visit.
Salon de Provence
A small town with a subtle mix of the old and the new, Salon offers visitors a slight but pleasant detour in the region. Known for the Musee de L'emperi and the home of Nostradamus, the town offers interesting sites to see for travelers looking for a bit of randomness in their plans. Upon arriving at the station, the town has a humble look to it. Streets of golden beige kissed by lavender-mixed blues adorn the buildings. A little bit of the old and little of the new.
A short ten or fifteen-minute walk and the city center awaits. Split into two parts, one with a modern square, shops and the tourism office and the other featuring traditional provincial houses, many of which have paintings of windows and clocks on them. Atop the ancient part of town you will be welcomed by the Château de l'Empéri which looks over the town and offers a nice view of Salon. Inside the Château, you can further your knowledge of French military history in the museum. Right outside of the Chateau you can take a seat and enjoy a meal at one of the many restaurants in the square. If you decide to stroll over to La Maison de Nostradamus, you will find plenty of restaurants and quaint shops along the way. Overall, Salon-de-Provence is a town worth peeking into for a few hours or on a more relaxed day in between larger trips in Provence.
A short ten or fifteen-minute walk and the city center awaits. Split into two parts, one with a modern square, shops and the tourism office and the other featuring traditional provincial houses, many of which have paintings of windows and clocks on them. Atop the ancient part of town you will be welcomed by the Château de l'Empéri which looks over the town and offers a nice view of Salon. Inside the Château, you can further your knowledge of French military history in the museum. Right outside of the Chateau you can take a seat and enjoy a meal at one of the many restaurants in the square. If you decide to stroll over to La Maison de Nostradamus, you will find plenty of restaurants and quaint shops along the way. Overall, Salon-de-Provence is a town worth peeking into for a few hours or on a more relaxed day in between larger trips in Provence.
L’Isle-sur-Sorgue
Ideal for a Sunday trip, L'Isle-sur-Sorgue is the gold standard for small towns in Provence. With the Fontaine de Vaucluse running through the heart of the city, you can enjoy picnics by the riverside they watch locals and tourists alike shopping and interacting. Known for its markets, the town has two, one on Thursday mornings and another on Sunday mornings. While both markets are nice, the Sunday market is the more famous of the two. All along the streets, vendors line up selling fresh strawberries from the nearby town of Carpentras, soap from Marseille, local cheeses and more. Beyond food, you can buy jewelry from one of the many jewelers on the market. West African-inspired necklaces, classic European style rings, and even vintage watches shine, asking you to buy them.
The town boasts brightly-colored houses, the signature winding streets older European cities are known for, and a beautiful yet austere cathedral in the middle of it all. Additionally, the town is paradise for gift shopping whether it be wine, chocolate, or beauty products. The town is home to many artisan shops specializing in one or two items and providing that "je ne sais quoi" we all expect from products made in France. Outside of the heart of the town, one continues to find more reasons to love L'Isle-sur-Sorgue. If you're renting a car or a bike, you have the option of taking a stroll at Le Partage des Eaux (The Sharing of Waters), a park a bit north of the center of town. There, families take a break from the hecticness of the Sunday market, soaking up the sun, playing soccer, or even kayaking. At night the town livens up a bit, with bars opening their doors to slightly starving French people looking for a small snack and a glass of rose or, apéro, as they call it in French.
The town boasts brightly-colored houses, the signature winding streets older European cities are known for, and a beautiful yet austere cathedral in the middle of it all. Additionally, the town is paradise for gift shopping whether it be wine, chocolate, or beauty products. The town is home to many artisan shops specializing in one or two items and providing that "je ne sais quoi" we all expect from products made in France. Outside of the heart of the town, one continues to find more reasons to love L'Isle-sur-Sorgue. If you're renting a car or a bike, you have the option of taking a stroll at Le Partage des Eaux (The Sharing of Waters), a park a bit north of the center of town. There, families take a break from the hecticness of the Sunday market, soaking up the sun, playing soccer, or even kayaking. At night the town livens up a bit, with bars opening their doors to slightly starving French people looking for a small snack and a glass of rose or, apéro, as they call it in French.
Villefranche-sur-Mer
A town that seems to be a hop and a skip away from Nice, Villefranche-sur-Mer can only be described as stunning and serene. Much like any of the towns along the Nice-Vintimille trainline, Villefranche-sur-Mer is absolutely gorgeous. This French Riviera town appears to have it all, the red houses with the teal shutters, the beach, the views. Visitors here will love how intimate the town feels. Wandering through its ruelles, uphill and downhill, one feels an attachment to the place, almost as if it were one's home. A friendliness reigns over the seaside escape. The warmth felt as one meanders about is enough to make up for the absence of big tourist attractions. That said, the city offers arguably the best tourist attraction: the sea. With a small beach to stretch out on, Villefranche-sur-Mer adds on to its already top-notch charm.
For a brief escape from the glamour of Nice during an afternoon or even a whole day, Villefranche is unbeatable. Hop on the train for about 15 minutes and be transported to a place like no other. If you have the time for it as well, the town offers guided visits to get a more in-depth view and perspective of Villefranche-sur-Mer. Whether you choose to get lost in Villefranche-sur-Mer or go on a guided tour, you will enjoy your time there.
For a brief escape from the glamour of Nice during an afternoon or even a whole day, Villefranche is unbeatable. Hop on the train for about 15 minutes and be transported to a place like no other. If you have the time for it as well, the town offers guided visits to get a more in-depth view and perspective of Villefranche-sur-Mer. Whether you choose to get lost in Villefranche-sur-Mer or go on a guided tour, you will enjoy your time there.