In France, Paris often comes to mind as the first impression when people think of the country. The Eiffel Tower and the Louvre Museum attract countless tourists. However, the true soul of France is hidden in the ancient and charming towns of southern France. The towns in southern France seem to emerge from a fairy tale, peaceful and beautiful, standing alone in the world, becoming a unique and distinctive landscape in France, captivating countless people.

"Everyone has a fire in their heart, but the passersby only see the smoke." - Vincent van Gogh
In May 1889, Van Gogh was admitted to a psychiatric hospital in Saint-Rémy-de-Provence in southern France due to a mental breakdown. Here, despite being tortured by illness, he found artistic redemption in loneliness. The courtyard of the hospital, the olive groves, and the distant mountains all became the subjects of his paintings. During this period, he created about 150 oil paintings, including the famous Starry Night and Irises. These works are rich in color and bold in brushstrokes, as if they are the cries of his inner world.
It is worth mentioning that it was during this stage that critics began to pay attention to Van Gogh. The only painting he sold during his lifetime, The Red Vineyard, became one of his most remarkable Provençal landscape paintings. In March 1890, four months before his suicide, this painting was sold for 400 francs (approximately 16 pounds) at an exhibition in Brussels. This painting is now housed in the Pushkin Museum in Moscow, Russia.
The time in Saint-Rémy-de-Provence became the deepest and most splendid chapter in Van Gogh's artistic career. He transformed pain into beauty with his brushstrokes and sublimated loneliness into eternity. When people stop in front of Van Gogh's psychiatric hospital and stroll along the paths he once walked, they can see the real scenes from his paintings, as if they are stepping into his painted world. The Saint-Rémy area is bathed in sunlight for about 300 days a year, and it is this sunlight that gave birth to the brilliant sunflowers in Van Gogh's paintings. Walking through the sunflower fields, one seems to step into Van Gogh's brushstrokes.

"Standing high and looking down at everything below, it seems that all the troubles are left far behind in the mortal world." - Friedrich Nietzsche
When traveling in southern France, Èze is a place that one must not miss. It is a medieval village built on a cliff, overlooking the Mediterranean Sea, with stunning coastal scenery. Walking through the alleys of Èze, it feels like traveling back in time. The narrow stone streets, ancient buildings, and stone walls covered with vines all exude a strong historical atmosphere. This place has become a must-visit destination for many tourists traveling in southern France.
One of the most famous attractions in Èze is the Jardin Exotique d'Èze, located at the highest point of the town, from where one can overlook the panoramic view. Standing here, you can see the magnificent scenery along the Mediterranean coast. Especially on sunny days, the view can extend to Nice and Monaco, making it a paradise for photography enthusiasts.
In the late 19th century, Nietzsche was attracted to and stayed here, and he completed part of Thus Spoke Zarathustra in the town. Standing in the hilltop garden of Èze and overlooking the coastline, that otherworldly tranquility makes it seem as if all the worldly troubles have nothing to do with it.
Èze is located between Nice and Monaco, and the transportation is very convenient. Tourists can choose Èze as a stop. Before or after exploring these two famous Mediterranean cities, they can make a short stop in Èze to experience the different scenery and culture. For example, the Prince's Palace of Monaco is a private residence, and its royal apartments are open to tourists during specific periods of the year.

"This is a dream world, rich in colors, where the soul is set free." - Amélie
The uniqueness of Roussillon lies in its gorgeous red soil and colorful buildings. The town is known as the "Red Town" because the soil here contains a large amount of iron oxide, making the buildings in the whole town present various shades of red, yellow, and orange. The distinct layers of color make people feel as if they are in an oil painting.
The colors of the town have been a source of inspiration for painters and photographers. The dreamy scenes in the movie Amélie seem to find their prototype here. Standing on the high ground of Roussillon and overlooking, the continuous Mediterranean olive groves and the distant mountains complement each other, and the collision of colors makes one's heart race.

"This is like stepping into a dream. Everything in front of you seems unreal, yet it's so intoxicating."
Aigues-Mortes is famous for its mysterious and beautiful pink salt lake. The lake here presents a stunning pink color due to the presence of tiny salt algae in the water, interweaving with the blue sky, white clouds, and sandy beaches to form a dreamlike picture. The beauty of the pink salt lake has attracted countless photographers and tourists to capture this natural wonder.
The saltworks here have been in use since Roman times. The history of the saltworks makes this place not just a scenic spot but also a land full of stories. You can feel the blend of the ancient and the modern, as if you are in a magical scene from a movie.

"Every tile and every pattern record the carving of time and the soul of the artist."
This town has been famous for its exquisite "Faïence" ceramics since the 17th century. This delicate white porcelain is decorated with blue floral patterns, with exquisite craftsmanship and elegant shapes, and it still remains a symbol of French handicrafts. In the center of the town, you can visit several ceramic workshops and museums, getting a close look at the creative process of ceramic masters and admiring unique works. The ceramics in the town are not only works of art but also a continuation of history and culture. Many tourists come here just to catch a glimpse of these delicate ceramic works.
The town is not just a ceramic town; it is also known for its magnificent natural scenery and ancient buildings. The limestone cliffs in the town contrast beautifully with the peaceful valleys, and a clear stream flows through the town. The town is backed by the Verdon Gorge, one of the most beautiful natural landscapes in France, attracting countless travelers who love hiking and outdoor sports. Looking down from the town, the scenery is picturesque, as if you are in a dream world surrounded by nature.
In addition, the town is a source of inspiration for many artists and writers. French writer Jean Giono mentioned the charm of Provence several times in his works, and the town of Moustiers-Sainte-Marie, hidden in the mountains, is a symbol of the enchanting Provençal life. Walking on the narrow stone roads of the town, it seems that time has turned back, and one can immerse oneself in the strong historical and artistic atmosphere.

"In the flow of water, time seems to stand still, and all the fatigue is cured at this moment."
The town is located about 34 kilometers east of Avignon, built against the mountain. A small stream flows gently through the town, and the source of the stream is the famous Fontaine-de-Vaucluse on the mountaintop. This is the largest spring in France and the fifth largest natural spring source in the world. The spring water is a clear green without any impurities, and the long waterweeds sway gently at the bottom. Just gazing at this spring can instantly calm a restless heart.
Before 1946, this place was called Vaucluse, which means a closed valley. The town can be traced back to the 6th century, and it now has about 600 permanent residents. In 1339, the famous European poet Petrarch once lived here, and his lover Laura often came to the spring town to listen to the "murmuring sound of the spring water."
The spring in Avignon once appeared in the movie Midnight in Paris, becoming the place where the male and female protagonists had a romantic encounter by the spring. Every pool of spring water here is like a poem of nature, telling stories of a long history.

"The stones are engraved with the traces of time, as if they are telling the eternity of time." - The Lord of the Rings
It is known as the "City in the Sky" and is a typical Provençal town in France. The whole town seems to have grown out of the medieval stones. The stone buildings glisten with a golden light in the sun, like ancient castles in an epic, full of mystery and majesty.
Walking through these alleys paved with stones, it feels like being in the Middle-earth world of The Lord of the Rings, and time seems to be frozen in every rock. The stone walls of Gordes carry the memories of generations, and every alley leads you deep into history. Here, you can overlook the vast beauty of Provence and feel the tenacity and long history of