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This delightful village seems to tumble down the hillside, its jumble of steep alleys, hidden corners and stone houses overcome with flowers – the village name tells no lies. Climb to the top and the views to the sea from the ruined medieval castle are splendid (see Bormes-les-Mimosas).

A glorious village, unravelling down its hillside in a cascade of little streets, stairways and flowers (see Bormes-les-Mimosas).

Marseille fish dish of up to six species, such as monk-fish and John Dory. Spicy stock is served first as soup.

Overhanging the gorges 550 m (1,800 ft) below, Brantes stares across the Toulourenc Valley to Mont Ventoux. Its tiny paved streets and vaulted passages boast a chapel but no shops. It is particularly impressive in March, when the almond trees are in bloom.

Sex icon and film star Bardot became the symbol of St-Tropez in the 1960s.

In front of the casino (see Café de Paris), under white umbrellas and baskets of flowers with the Mediterranean in the background, the Café de Paris is a delightful place for an al fresco meal or a drink.

Vincent van Gogh painted more than 300 canvases in the town of Arles (see Roman Arles). Café du Soir (1888) is one of the best known.

Original early 20th-century decor in a restaurant-bar open from 4am to 10pm and serving regional fare.

Steps on the eastern edge of town lead down to this extraordinary creek. On either side are cliffs, while further back are terraces of fig-trees and pines. Out front, the blue sea laps around weird rock formations and onto the pebble shore. A world unto itself.

“Calanques ” are creeks formed where the chalk cliffs between Cassis and Marseille plunge to the sea. En-Vau is the prettiest and one of the more accessible – a mere 90-minute walk from the nearest Cassis car park. It’s worth it. At the foot of the white, pine-clad rocks, the setting of sand and luminous sea is intimate, wild and quite unforgettable (see Les Calanques).