2 Venasque – one of

2 Venasque – one of the most beautiful villages In Provence there are eight villages officially classified as “Most Beautiful Villages of France”: Lourmarin, Ansouis, Gordes, Menerbes, Roussillon, Seguret, Venasque and Les Baux de Provence. This standard is obtained only if the village meets the stringent requirements laid out by the association. Venasque often seems to be overlooked by visitors to Provence. Perhaps it’s because of its location, perched high on a steep ridge and tucked away on the other side of the canyon from its rival gorgeous Gordes. The unique treasures in this tiny village set up high on a crag, where it almost feels as if you’re on a ship that has set-sail, are endless. Perhaps your favourite will be the “Place de la Fontaine” where you can marvel at the beautiful fountain with its cast iron masks spewing water.

To meet Plus Beaux Villages classification, there's a raft of criteria to be met, including that a town must not have more than 2000 inhabitants and have at least two protected sites or monuments and of course, must be outstandingly beautiful. Just 154 villages in the whole of France make the coveted list of officially prettiest villages of France It’s amazing to think that villagers still fetched water from here until 1960, when finally running water reached the village homes! Or your highlight might be the story behind a painting in the church that the village had to fight to get back from the Louvre. The 6th-century baptistery and the “capital of cherries” are two more reasons why Venasque is a top place to visit in Provence.