The 5 hilltop villages of Provence to see as a family

In Provence, hilltop villages have graced the sky since the Middle Ages. From Luberon to Verdon, they tell a story made of golden stone, shaded squares and panoramas that stretch to the Alpilles. Looking for where to set your suitcase between excursions? A stay at a camping with water park combines bathing for children and cultural trips to the finest Provençal villages.

Here is our selection of the 5 hilltop villages of Provence absolutely worth seeing as a family, chosen for their authenticity and accessibility from the coast.

Gordes, the white jewel of Luberon

Atop a Luberon limestone spur, Gordes tiers its pale stone houses around a Renaissance castle. The panorama extends over the Apt plain and the foothills of Ventoux. Classified among France’s Most Beautiful Villages, Gordes is one of Provence’s best-known hilltop villages, as much for its cobbled streets as for the sites surrounding it.

4 kilometers away, Sénanque Abbey sets its Romanesque stones in the middle of a lavender field, the postcard image of Provence. Just nearby, the Bories hamlet gathers former dry stone dwellings that greatly appeal to children.

Claire’s tip: here’s a Gordes secret few visitors know. Below the castle, the Caves of Palais Saint-Firmin unroll a troglodytic maze over several levels, with an oil mill and medieval silos carved into the rock itself. A real dive into Gordes of yesteryear that surprises young and old alike!

Roussillon, the village of ochre cliffs

In the heart of Luberon, Roussillon rises on one of Europe’s largest ochre cliffs. The village facades decline the entire palette of earth tones: saffron yellows, vivid oranges and deep reds, legacy of mining exploitation that made its fortune in the 19th century. The result is unique among Provence’s hilltop villages.

The Ochre Trail departs directly from the village and crosses a landscape reminiscent of the American West. Count 35 minutes for the short loop, 60 minutes for the long one. Children love leaving with hands stained in natural pigments.

According to Claire, Roussillon is a real gem for family vacations: “The Ochre Trail feels like a full-size adventure playground, and kids love bringing home a little red dust in their hair.”

Les Baux-de-Provence, the citadel of the Alpilles

South of the Alpilles, Les Baux-de-Provence lines the ruins of its great medieval fortress facing the Crau plain, with a castle partially carved into limestone. The troglodytic castle, seat of the powerful lords of Baux between the 11th and 13th centuries, gives on clear days a panoramic view over olive groves, vineyards and even to the Mediterranean.

At the foot of the citadel, the village has kept its medieval character with its shops, little squares and Renaissance mansions. Among Provence’s hilltop villages, Les Baux also stands out thanks to the Quarries of Light which project immersive exhibitions on the limestone walls of former underground quarries, a magical experience that delights both children and adults!

Moustiers-Sainte-Marie, the star of Verdon

At the gates of the Verdon Gorges, Moustiers-Sainte-Marie settles in a rocky cleft, overhanging a star suspended 227 meters above the village. This legend dates back to the 13th century and gives Moustiers a distinctive silhouette among Provence’s hilltop villages.

The village also became known for its faience, whose golden age began in the 17th century. Today, about twenty workshops perpetuate the tradition and remain open for visits. A climb of 262 steps leads to the Notre-Dame-de-Beauvoir chapel, clinging to a cliff face, from which opens a magnificent view over Lake Sainte-Croix and the first ridges of Verdon.

Bonnieux, the panoramic terrace of Luberon

Bonnieux occupies a spur of the Little Luberon and tiers its houses over nearly 100 meters of elevation difference between the old high church and the town. The climb via the stairs gives a panorama that sweeps across all of Luberon, from Lacoste to the Apt valley. It’s difficult to find among Provence’s hilltop villages a terrace as open onto the valley.

A few minutes higher, the cedar forest provides cool shelter ideal in midsummer for a family walk. History lovers will head down to the Julien Bridge, a Roman structure still standing after more than 2000 years, a few kilometers at the foot of the village.

Want to discover the hilltop villages of Provence without forgoing children’s pleasures? Reserve your camping with water park in Provence and enjoy swimming, waterslides and excursions to the finest Provençal villages just a few kilometers from the campground!