These villages are so pretty, crowned with their belltowers (of openwork forged iron, to let the Mistral blow straight through!). Take Gigondas, dominated by its relics, Séguret, rated one of “France’s most beautiful villages”, or Beaumes de Venise and its splendid chapelle de Notre-Dame d’Aubune. The vignerons of the Côtes du Rhône reach down deep into these legendary lands, and come up with wines to delight every enthusiast. In these villages, the narrow streets, quaint shaded squares and old fountains leave no doubt: you are in deepest, traditional Provence. Granted, there are some uphill walks to reach these lofty villages, but when you get there, what a view! The Dentelles de Montmirail, a range of sharp limestone peaks finely chiselled by erosion, rise up from orchards, hills and vineyards.
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