Are you planning your next trip to Cote d’Azur and looking for great medieval villages to explore in the area? If so, then you’re in a good place! So far we’ve lived on the French Riviera for around 1 year and during that time we visited quite a large part of this beautiful part of France and got to know it pretty well. Today we’ll show you the list of our favorite medieval villages on Cote d’Azur that charmed us and stayed in our memories to this day. Hope you’ll love them too!
Interesting fact. Cote d’Azur is located in the South of France and apparently has no official borders! It’s a coastal area that extends from Menton to somewhere near Marseille, but everyone has their opinion on where exactly it ends.
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How to move around Cote d’Azur?
The fastest way of getting to all mentioned towns is by car, either yours or rented. If you don’t travel with your own car, you can easily rent the best one for your needs through the Rental Cars website.
Most of the towns are also accessible by public transport, by trains or buses. You can search for the connections that might interest you on the rome2rio.com or sncf-connect.com website. For great train ticket deals visit Trainline.
If you don’t want to put too much effort into planning, you can always take advantage of the guided tours and let someone else take care of all the details. For a wide selection and well-reviewed tour options be sure to visit GetYourGuide or Viator.
Medieval villages on Cote d’Azur, France
Mougins
Mougins is a captivating medieval village perched amongst pines, olives, and cypress trees, on the hills midway between Cannes and Grasse. There you’ll find picturesque alleys, numerous art galleries, world-renowned Michelin restaurants, magnificent views over the surroundings, and even a giant Picasso head! Yes, you’ll be wandering around the village where one of the greatest and most influential artists of the 20th century lived and died.
Learn more: Things To Do In Mougins Village In France, The Death Place of Picasso
Eze
Eze is one of the most authentic and well-preserved villages on Cote d’Azur that offers a fascinating insight into how life might have looked hundreds of years ago. It’s an enchanting place where you’ll find narrow winding streets filled with typical medieval architecture, tall stone houses, and unforgettable views over the coast from its Exotic Garden. It’s not without reason that Eze became one of the most popular travel destinations in the South of France.
Learn more: 10 Things To Do In Medieval Village Of Eze, France
Valbonne
Valbonne is a well-kept secret of the French Riviera that unfortunately seems to be missing from most travel blogs and guides. It’s a pretty, charming, peaceful, and well-preserved little village that thanks to its distinctive street grid layout is a bit different from other villages nearby. To be honest, you won’t find dozens of exciting things to do in Valbonne, but even despite that you shouldn’t skip a visit to this village – it’s truly charming.
Learn more: Valbonne Village In France – Hidden Gem of Cote d’Azur
Gourdon
Gourdon is one of the most visited hilltop medieval villages on Cote d’Azur. All thanks to the fact that it was named one of the most beautiful villages in France! In Gourdon, you’ll find magnificent views over the surroundings, picturesque narrow streets full of old stone houses, small art galleries, craft shops, and a few historical buildings. Gourdon is a great place if you want to step back in time for a few hours.
Learn more: Gourdon, France – Things To Do In Medieval Village On Cote d’Azur
Fancy to also explore vibrant towns on Cote d'Azur? We got you!
Peillon
Peillon is one of the most authentic and well-preserved perched villages on Cote d’Azur where you can really feel like you stepped back in time. Yet, it’s also one of the hidden gems of the area, not mentioned in many guides! Peillon is a captivating place where you’ll find typical medieval architecture, winding streets, tall stone houses, vaulted passageways, great views, and… lack of any touristy things! Really, nothing at all!
Learn more: Peillon, France – Perched Medieval Village Near Nice
Saint Paul de Vence
Saint Paul de Vence is a well-preserved medieval village that seems to be frozen in time. Since the 1920s’ it has been a strong magnet for countless artists and art lovers like Matisse, Chagall, and Picasso. Nowadays, Saint Paul de Vence is a fairy-tale place where you’ll find delightful winding streets, cozy squares, hidden corners, tall stone houses, small art galleries, craft shops, and great views… No wonder that it became one of the most popular travel destinations in the area!
Learn more: Saint Paul de Vence, France – Things To Do In Artist’s Village
Roquebrune-Cap-Martin
Roquebrune-Cap-Martin is one of the most picturesque places on Cote d’Azur often overlooked by many, even despite its privileged location right between Menton and Monaco. But thanks to that, this village is a peaceful and quiet travel destination where each traveler will find something perfect for themself. Whether you want to explore a charming old town, relax on the beaches, or go on a walk in picturesque settings – you’ll find it in Roquebrune.
Learn more: 10+ Things To Do In Roquebrune-Cap-Martin, France
Explore local attractions
Peille
Peille is an enchanting hidden gem, a delightful remote hilltop village tucked away in the mountains. It’s a captivating place where you’ll step back in time for a few hours and feel like in medieval times. It’s pretty, well-preserved, peaceful, and yet undiscovered by many. Quaint stone houses, winding narrow streets, vaulted passageways, cozy squares, historic buildings, many friendly cats eager to be pet, and amazing views over the surroundings await you in Peille. Just slowly wander among its streets and discover all its secrets.
Learn more: Peille, France – Medieval Village Tucked In Mountains Near Nice
Sainte-Agnes
Sainte-Agnes is the highest coastal village in Europe, also listed as one of the most beautiful villages in France! Unfortunately, even despite that, it’s often overlooked and hard to find in travel guides. And it’s a shame as Sainte-Agnes is a truly delightful and picturesque village on the French Riviera. And for sure it’s just waiting for curious travelers to discover its history, fascinating secrets, and spectacular views over the surroundings.
Learn more: Sainte-Agnes, France – Things To Do In Highest Coastal Village In Europe
Grimaud
Grimaud is a charming French village with a long history and a rich cultural heritage. It’s divided into two main parts: a hilltop medieval village and the coastal area of Port Grimaud. In Grimaud village, you’ll be transported back in time while wandering around old stone buildings and cobblestone streets. In Port Grimaud you’ll enjoy canals and bridges, alleys and colorful houses, as well as the sea, and sand on lovely beaches.
Learn more: Things To Do In Port Grimaud and Grimaud Village
Biot
Biot is a medieval village on Cote d’Azur full of history, culture, and art and is best known for its glass-blowing traditions. Unfortunately, even despite its great location on Cote d’Azur, very close to Nice, it’s often in the shadow of other more popular towns nearby. But thanks to that, Biot is a peaceful destination that can be your yet another quiet day trip near Nice. From the pretty alleys, art galleries, and restaurants to interesting museums and glassblowing workshops – there’s so much to do in Biot!
Learn more: 10+ Things To Do In Biot Village In The South Of France
Tourrettes-sur-Loup
Tourrettes-sur-Loup is a perched village where you’ll find typical medieval architecture, winding streets, hidden corners, small art galleries, and great views of the surroundings. Unfortunately, Tourrettes-sur-Loup is often overlooked and hard to find in most travel blogs… and it’s a shame as it’s a delightful place, and as beautiful as the famed Saint Paul de Vence or Gourdon! But on the other hand, with a fairly low number of tourists, you can really feel like you stepped back in time hundreds of years.
Learn more: Tourrettes-sur-Loup, France – Medieval Village Famous For Violets
Cagnes-sur-Mer
Cagnes-sur-Mer is a nice and peaceful village in the heart of Cote d’Azur that can be your quiet getaway from bustling coastal towns. Cagnes is split into two parts – the inland village of Haut-de-Cagnes and the seaside area of Cros-de-Cagnes – a former fishing district and now a residential/holiday area. Picturesque alleys of hilltop village, amazing views, lovely beaches, interesting museums… All of that, and more, together create a really attractive combination!
Learn more: Cagnes-sur-Mer, France – Delightful Village Near Nice
La Turbie
La Turbie is a small French village with a long and rich history. There you’ll have a unique opportunity to go on a fascinating journey back in time thousands of years, immerse into a charming old town, and discover the traces of the Roman Empire’s past and Emperor Augustus’ power. And as befits a village located at a higher altitude – breathtaking panoramic views await too! La Turbie will especially be appreciated by history lovers.
Learn more: Things To Do In La Turbie, France – Village Overlooking Monaco
Villeneuve-Loubet
Villeneuve-Loubet is a delightful hidden gem on Cote d’Azur that is divided into two parts – the inland village and the seaside area of Marina Baie des Anges. Steep picturesque village alleys, amazing views, lovely beaches, interesting museums, restaurants serving tasty food… To be honest, you won’t find dozens of exciting things to do in Villeneuve-Loubet, but even so, it’s a very charming village to visit.
Learn more: Villeneuve-Loubet, France – Enchanting Village Near Nice
Medieval villages on Cote d’Azur, France – Summing up
That’s it, our favorite medieval villages on Cote d’Azur that resonated with us most. Don’t they all look beautiful? They might look quite similar, yet every one of them is different and hides a fascinating story behind its walls. Some of them we’ve even visited a few times, that’s how much they enchanted us! We hope this post was helpful, and now you’re one step closer to choosing medieval villages you’ll visit during your next trip to Cote d’Azur. And we certainly hope that they will also captivate you and make it to your list of the most beautiful towns in South of France! Enjoy your time!
