12 Beautiful Cities and Towns in Southern France To Visit Once in Your Lifetime

While the south of France is arguably best known for its fine wine, local produce, and historic sights, it’s also one of the best vacation destinations in Europe. Offering an incredibly vast range of things to do, this region of France is home to pristine beaches, beautiful waters, beautiful cities, and charming towns.

With so many beautiful places to see in southern France, it can take time to decide where to visit first. Luckily, we’re here to help. In this article, we’ve listed 12 beautiful cities and towns in Southern France. These destinations are perfect for family vacations, romantic getaways, or beach escapes.

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Saint Tropez

We’ll kickstart this list with one of southern France’s most popular and famous cities. Saint Tropez, originally a fishing village, is a beautiful city with some of France’s best beaches. The combination of alluring waters, high-end resorts, and a harbor lined with pastel-colored French architecture is to die for.

Spend your days strolling through the narrow cobblestone streets, admiring the Mediterranean Sea views from the harbor, and exploring historic landmarks. Alternatively, relax by hiring an umbrella and sun lounger at Plages de Saint-Tropez. Popular attractions in the city include the landmark 17th-century fortress (Citadelle de Saint-Tropez), Gendarmerie Nationale, and Azur Park.

Nice

Another hugely popular city along France’s south coast is Nice. This beautiful seaside city sits in a large bay called the Baie des Anges. It offers a unique mix of big-city life and small-town charm, creating a wonderful atmosphere for a vacation. The city has many things to do, but it’s most loved for its breathtaking beaches.

Plage Publique De l’Opéra lines the Nice seafront, offering travelers an escape from the hustle and bustle of the city. When you’re not strolling along the beach, swimming in the deep blue waters, or soaking up the Mediterranean Sea, head into the city and explore. Must-visit attractions in the city include Colline du Château, Musée Masséna, Port Lympia, and Nice Cathedral.

Carcassonne

Carcassonne is a history enthusiast’s haven. This historic city is home to a fascinating medieval citadel, La Cité, offering travelers a unique insight into French history. The citadel sits proudly above Carcassonne on a hilltop that offers impressive views of the French countryside.

It features a double-walled fort and multiple watchtowers and was declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO. Carcassonne’s immense fortress protects a beautiful medieval castle, Château Comtal. The castle was built in the 12th century and still stands today. In the fort, you’ll also find historic landmarks such as the Museum of the Inquisition, the Basilica of Saints Nazarius and Celsus, and Porte de l’Aude. The surrounding city is where you’ll find local markets, cafes, and restaurants.

Narbonne

The colorful port town of Narbonne is a great place to experience culture, relaxation, and tradition. Located along the Canal de la Robine, it’s known for its stunning architecture, rich history, and delicious cuisine. Interestingly, Narbonne was the location of the first Roman colony outside Italy, Narbo Martius, founded in 118 B.C.

Therefore, you can find Roman influences all over the town. The Horreum, an underground labyrinth of ancient warehouses, is a fine example of Roman architecture in the town. Other key sights in the town include the 13th-century Narbonne Cathedral, the Archbishop’s Palace, and Les Halles de Narbonne Market.

Gordes

Perched atop the rock face of the Vaucluse plateau, Gordes is a gorgeous tiered town. It offers panoramic views of the French countryside, access to the Provence region’s vibrant lavender fields, and some of the best hiking in southern France. Oh, and Gordes is well known for its epic sunsets, too.

Explore medieval architecture, visit historical landmarks, and dine in one of the many traditional restaurants in Gordes. Points of interest include the 12th-century Sénanque Abbey, Village des Bories, and Les Caves du Palais Saint-Firmin. Thanks to its proximity to Luberon Regional Park, Gordes is also a popular place to hike, so pack your walking boots.

Èze

Couples looking for a romantic getaway along France’s southern coast should look no further than the charming town of Èze. A short drive from Nice, this romantic hideaway is a beautiful hilltop town famous worldwide for its impressive coastal views.

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Offering an escape from the daily grind, you can enjoy lazed strolls through the cobblestone streets, traditional French cuisine overlooking the sea, and many boutique shops selling fashionable clothes and accessories. After spending some time exploring the town, drop down to Èze Beach. You’ll find a quiet pebble-stone beach with water sports activities, restaurants, umbrellas, and sun loungers here. What’s not to like?

Cannes

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Home to the iconic Cannes Film Festival, this lively seaside city is nothing short of perfection. A go-to celebrity vacation spot, Cannes has many things to see and do, but the charming old quarter is where most of the action is found. In the medieval Le Suquet, you’ll always find something going on along the steep cobbled alleys.

Keep your eyes peeled for Marché Forville’s food stalls, Vieux Port’s marina filled with luxury yachts, traditional pastel-colored houses, and Musée de la Castre. Sitting above the city, Musée de la Castre is located within an ancient castle, offering fantastic views. For history buffs, Notre Dame d’Esperance is also well worth checking out. Meanwhile, shoppers should head to La Croisette Street for the best boutique shops, bars, and restaurants.

Marseille

If you love the buzz of big city life, Marseille is your place. Since the founding of the city by the Greeks in 600 B.C., this port city in southern France has long been a crossroads of immigration and trade. Therefore, travelers can expect a mixing pot of different cultures throughout the city’s architecture and cuisine.

At the heart of the city is Vieux-Port (Old Port). Here, travelers watch fishmongers sell their catch, explore a lively marina, indulge in fresh seafood at one of many seafood restaurants, and admire the architecture of the area, including the centuries-old Fort Saint-Jean. Other Marseille highlights include the Romanesque-style Saint-Laurent Church, Basilique Notre-Dame-de-la-Garde, and Palais Longchamp.

Grasse

The next town on our list is Grasse, a lovely French Riviera town in the hills north of Cannes. Grasse is famous for being the world capital of perfume. You can learn all about the town’s perfume heritage at the Musée International de la Parfumerie. Popular perfumeries such as Molinard, Galimard, and Fragonard also offer tours.

However, as a town, Grasse has a lot more to offer. Throughout the town, travelers are treated to charming French streets, local culture, and beautiful architecture. Places in Grasse that deserve a mention include Grasse Cathedral, Grasse Old Town, and Fragonard Villa-Museum. To learn more about the town’s history away from the perfume industry, visit the Provence Art and History Museum.

Villefranche-sur-Mer

The penultimate destination on our list is Villefranche-sur-Mer, a stunning seaside town offering a laid-back atmosphere, beautiful beaches, and interesting architecture. Located just southwest of Monaco, Villefranche-sur-Mer has a very luxurious feel. In fact, you could say the town is just like Monaco but without the extortionate prices, celebrities, and superyachts.

Across the city, you’ll find epic coastal views, beautiful eateries, and vibrant French architecture. The best way to explore the town is to wander the streets, starting at the beachfront, where you’ll find colorful houses, bars, cafes, and restaurants. The 14th-century Old Town and its ancient Saint-Pierre chapel are other major highlights. Other notable attractions include Mairie de Villefranche-sur-Mer, Rue Obscure, and Plage de la Darse.

Toulouse

The final city we have for you is Toulouse, a picturesque destination in southern France often called the “Pink City” because of its unique bright pink architecture. Toulouse is one of France’s largest cities, so you can expect many French restaurants, cozy cafes, and bars.

You should start your visit in the Old Quarter, which houses a mind-blowing collection of 15th-century buildings with fascinating facades. After that, visit the Saint Sernin UNESCO World Heritage Site. The Basilica of Saint-Sernin is an impressive sight and an important stop along the pilgrimage route to Santiago de Compostela. Other points of interest in Toulouse include the Capitole de Toulouse building, Théâtre du Capitole, and the Garonne River.

Menton

The vibrant French Riviera town of Menton might be the most picturesque location on this list. Menton is a gorgeous town best known for its lovely beaches, pastel-colored traditional architecture, and lush gardens that showcase rare plants. The ideal destination for travelers who want to take things slower, the seaside town is bursting at the seams with French charm.

You’ll likely spend most of your time wandering the narrow 17th-century streets, admiring the impressive architecture, wining and dining in high-end restaurants, sunbathing on the beach, and shopping in the luxury boutique shops. Notable attractions you don’t want to miss include Les Sablettes Beach, Old Port of Menton, Val Rahmeh-Menton Botanical Garden, and Jardins Biovès.