Partial to a glass or two of rosé? As well as exceptional wine, Provence offers property buyers idyllic landscapes and a laid-back lifestyle. Here are five of the prettiest wine regions in Provence to start your property search.
Ramatuelle, Var
Just up from St Tropez, the typically Procençal village of Ramatuelle boasts pristine vineyards, historical sites and sweet cobbled streets. Many of the vineyards offer free wine tastings too as well as a great selection of organic wines to purchase.
The beach below the village is famous worldwide, but perhaps not for the reasons you might think. Pampelonne beach was where the allies landed in World War Two, but it also happens to be the first beach to allow topless sunbathing in the Cote d’Azur!
And there’s plenty to keep you entertained in the village itself, including jazz and classical music festivals and an open air theater. There are also some beautiful architectural sites to admire, such as the 19th-century Eiffel steps on Place Gabriel Péri, the old prisons built during the reign of Napoleon III and the 17th-century Font-d’Avaou washhouse.
Gassin, Var
10 minutes from Ramatuelle and perched on top of a large rock lies the charming village of Gassin. It’s not just us who thinks Gassin is one of the prettiest wine regions in Provence – the village was actually classified as “one of the most beautiful villages of France” due to the breathtaking views over the hills, vines and coastline.
There are several wine domains in Gassin, including Domaine de la Rouillère, and also a number of beaches within easy reach. Some of the best beaches in the area are Gigaro, Debarquement, Pampelonne and Escalet.
If you like golf, you’re in luck as Gassin has an 18 hole golf course.
Les Baux de Provence, Bouches du Rhone
Les Baux de Provence is a picturesque medieval village that sits in the heart of the incredible Alpilles mountain range. Interestingly, like Gassin, Les Baux de Provence is built upon a rocky landscape and was also named as one of the most beautiful villages in France thanks to its spectacular views.
Much of the medieval sites and buildings have been carefully restored and the village draws many tourists each year. The village can only be reached on foot and has a lovely atmosphere.
For lovers of wine and gastronomy, there are some privately owned wine caves offering free tastings and tours, as well as some wonderful intimate little restaurants offering a “prix fixe” menu.
Cassis, Bouches du Rhone
Cassis is a gorgeous port town just a few kilometers from Marseille. Cassis is much loved for its colorful buildings and cafes that line the harbor, its pebbly beaches and impressive calanques. There is a large open-air market every Wednesday and Saturday all-year-long where you can find fresh fruit, vegetables, cheeses, jams, sweets and other regional specialties.
The town can get fairly busy but there is plenty of countryside nearby to escape the crowds. The area is great to explore by bike or by foot with some amazing views out towards the Mediterranean Sea.
There are plenty of opportunities for wine tasting here and the town is mostly known for its dry and sweet white wines. Cassis is also the birthplace of the popular summery drink “Kir” which is white wine mixed with cassis liqueur.
L’Isle sur la Sorgue, Vauclus
Finally, we take a look at the vibrant and bustling market town of L’Isle sur la Sorgue. The town’s focal point is the vast River Sorgue and as such, it is often called the “Venice of Provence”.
You can enjoy good food and wine with a riverside view at one of the many waterfront restaurants. or travel just outside of the town for some incredible wine domains and free wine tastings.
The town is filled with vintage shops (there are nearly 300 antique dealers in the town!) And the weekend markets are a must see.
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