Provence has no shortage of incredibly pretty little towns that are worth exploring and stopping in for a meal or a coffee while you people-watch and generally relax, especially if you are between tastings at vineyards, heading to a more famous tourist attraction, or if you are simply wandering about and taking in the beauty of the region while staying in one of our villas in Provence. Despite the wealth of impossibly charming towns, one that we especially recommend making time to explore is Tourtour.
Located to the south-west of Provence, not far from Draguignan, and protected areas of natural beauty, Tourtour is a truly picturesque little spot for a pit-stop. A member of Les Plus Beaux Villages de France (The Most Beautiful Villages of France) association, it is known as the "village in the sky of Provence" as it takes in sweeping vistas across the region. This panoramic view stretches all the way from Fréjus, taking in the Mediterranean coastline to the east, and right to the Montagne Sainte-Victoire in the west. This mountain is a vista that may be familiar to some upon seeing it for the first time with their own eyes as it was a favoured subject of Cézanne.
Nearby, you'll find the lovely winery of Domaine Saint Jean de Villecroze where you can enjoy regular tastings of their catalogue of organic IGP Méditerranée white, red, and rosé wines or book one of their other experiences including a botanical wine walk, yoga and wine tasting, a cyanotype workshop and tasting, and special seasonal events.
In town, itself, however, you'll find a very pretty historic centre of charming stone buildings, architectural gems, little arches, plants and flowers spilling out from pots or growing between paving stones, neat rows of trees creating dancing light as the wind blows through their leaves in the sun, little restaurants and coffee shops with colourful awnings out front, and fairy lights strung across town squares that twinkle in the evening.
The cumulative effect is terribly picturesque and makes this a perfect spot to take in the beauty of small towns in Provence, to slow down and enjoy the pace of life in this part of the world, to take in local life as neighbours chat over coffee or play pétanque, and to enjoy the flavours of the town yourself by reviving yourself during your travels with a snack or a drink.
In fact, there is quite a variety of dining experiences on offer in town. Les Cousines de Camille serves up a curation of interesting and delicious hand-crafted ice-creams. Barjaca offers a menu of salads and sandwiches served up attractively and enjoyed on their charming little terrace. La Mimounia offers an incredible menu of delicious Moroccan dishes to be enjoyed while sitting out in the town square. Le Temps des Mets offers daily specials and a fixed menu of pasta, pizzas, salads, seafood, and regional dishes from Provence. Palais en Place is a deli with excellent local wines and some souvenirs. Restaurant La Farigoulette, meanwhile, offers a daily menu alongside an extensive cocktail and drinks menu as well as one of the most charming terraces in the town square and a panoramic terrace for those who want to dine while taking in the aforementioned sweeping vistas of the town.
A stroll about town to digest and photograph its impossibly pretty corners, nooks, and crannies, to take in the views over the region, discover surprises, or pop into a little local boutique or gallery perfectly rounds off a stop in this beautiful town while enjoying a stay at one of our vacation rentals in Provence.