ANSOUIS

This exquisite hilltop village, listed among the Most Beautiful Villages in France, is pure charm, and a favorite of mine. Tourists are sparse in this living village. A saunter along the perfectly picturesque lanes, past 15th century houses covered in vines and roses, and poking into the few sweet shops, is a lovely way to spend a few hours. There are several plaques with black and white photographs explaining the history of Ansouis.

At the top of the village there is a beautifully preserved château, originally built as a fortress in the 10th century and rebuilt in the 12th or 13th century. It is open to visitors on set days and only by guided tour (in French). The village mayor’s family owned the château for about 1,000 years. The handsome 13th century Church, St-Martin d’Ansouis, retains much of its charming, decorative interior painting. Across the church is a hall which sometimes hosts art exhibitions.