What an amazing day! I woke to music playing and a light in beside my bed and in my sleepy state I couldn’t quite work out what it was… and then I realised it was my iPad beside my bed and someone was trying to call. It was my precious friend Sue calling to wish me a happy birthday… thinking I would be up for the sunrise. But it was 6.00am… still pitch black as the sun doesn’t rise here atm until about 7.30. Oh well- I was awake now. And almost as soon as I hung up, there was a call from my daughter Jade and Andy and later from Alex, Liz and the kids and then Chrissy, Danique and kids. So lovely to have contact after a month away now!

So, we had a very big day planned on a small all day tour with lots of stops filled with the beauty of Provence. First stop Cassis… a picturesque Mediterranean fishing port. The area is known for its calanques… stunning narrow inlets framed by dizzyingly steep, rocky limestone cliffs and crystal-clear turquoise water.

So even before arriving in Cassis, we make a quick stop at the lookout at Cape Canaille for a breathtaking view of the coast and of the coves and the town of Cassis. At 394m, it is the highest sea cliff of France.

Even the ‘non’ view side was stunning!

Onwards to Cassis where there are lots of boating tours that leave from the harbour that visit more of this Provençal wonder of the Calanques. We hopped on a small boat for a relaxing hour long journey alongside the incredible beauty of this rocky national park with its extremely diverse and fragile ecosystem. With colourful hills in the background and a soft sea breeze, we visited this little corner of paradise, between the blue sky and turquoise sea. Such a lovely start to the day before heading back to the town to explore.

I had considered this colourful ancient fishing port when looking at coastal towns to stay on the riviera and had decided it was not central enough to get around and do all the things I wanted yo do- and had eventually settled on Villefranche sur Mer. While I don’t think this was a mistake, as soon as we arrived in the delightful fishing village, I knew I would want more time here. It was a bit like stepping inside an impressionist painting.

From the pebbly beaches, the shimmer of the water in the port, the array of colourful fishing boats and pleasure boats that fill the pretty harbour…

… to the many restaurants bursting with noise and colour serving locally caught seafood…

… to the photogenic architectural jumble of buildings painted in shades of Provence…

… and the pretty leafy back alleyways…

… and from the towering centuries-old chateau that overlooks the town…

Cassis is a treasure for the eyes and had a really lively vibe especially with the bustling weekly market on in the middle of town.

I ran around madly trying to take a few colourful pictures before it was time to move on to our next stop.

The little town of Loumarin is beautiful and very photogenic, with cobblestone streets… where ivy drapes over arches and scrambles up walls of ancient houses decked with flower pots… complete with friendly cats who follow you as you make your way through the tiny village. Quaint shops are plentiful as are cafes with outdoor seating and from the moment we arrived in the village it wrapped us in its sun-drenched embrace.

There are a handful of trendy bars and restaurants and plenty of cafes with outdoor seating, plus a great outdoor market in the city centre.

Lourmarin is of course ranked as one of the ‘most beautiful villages’ in France and we wandered it’s pretty leafy streets…

Then through another pretty village Bonnieux. From the ivy-covered façades to the way in which the houses cascade down the hillside, it’s another village straight from a fairytale. The old town is petite, and I’m sure, best explored by foot but there was no time for that and we did a quick drive through stopping briefly to be rewarded with magnificent views of the Vaucluse Mountains, as well as the nearby villages of Gordes and Roussillon. Spreading out below Bonnieux is the fertile landscape that yields crops of olives, grapes, and lavender.

Then we were off to the vibrant, terracotta heaven that is Roussillon… one of the most unique towns in France. Located at the southern end of the Plateau de Vaucluse, Roussillon affords incredible views over the Luberon valley.

Thousands of visitors travel to Roussillon every year to see the unique colour scheme of rusty red and muted orange buildings which can be attributed to the rich ochre deposits found in the land surrounding the village.

Once an important economic source for the region, today the ochre mines bring wealth to the area in another way – with tourism!

A great photo opportunity as the colours are unlike any other towns in France.

I loved this place so much (I know I always say that but I think this was my favourite of the day). Strolling through the narrow alleyways of the town, admiring the naturally pigmented buildings… the colours are just so gorgeous and my current favourites- I’ve even painted a feature wall in my new house in a pink clay colour.

With the terracotta colourings against the bright blue sky backdrop, this place really was magical.

We stopped for a quick tipple as it was definitely wine o’clock by this stage… and then onto our last village for today- Gordes

Built into the side of a hill and surrounded by the sprawling Luberon Valley, the medieval town’s striking appearance has earned its title as the most well-known, beautiful small town in France- and this year is actually Number 1 of France’s ‘most beautiful’ villages. It was made famous by Peter Mayle ‘s book A Year in Provence. As we strolled its cobblestone streets, (or more like power-walked due to our very limited viewing window), we were rewarded with breathtaking views at every turn…

History hangs over the cobbled lanes, medieval plazas and churches of this cinematically beautiful town and getting lost in the maze of narrow streets and alleys is the perfect adventure as a dreamy scene awaited us around every corner..

The town has a lovely main square, which is full of local shops, French bakeries, cafes, and alleys to explore. We had the dubious pleasure to walk on the character steps of the region called ‘donkey steps’, as they are perfectly adapted so that the mules could easily reach the heights of the village with their loads. Easy for them but not so much for everyone else.

Gordes Castle (Le Château du Gordes) is one of the most impressive buildings in Gordes. It’s approximately 1000 years old and is one of the oldest castles in France!

We found the most beautiful old church, the Eglise Saint Firmin with vibrant murals and beautiful wood paneling. It was so colourful and unique and I really loved it.

The setting of this town is incredible, each house being built into the hillside at different levels with storybook charm… and we went to a beautiful lookout of the town itself from the road as we drove out. To close another spectacular day with a magical moment… a magnificent panorama over the entire Calavon valley and the Luberon massif.