10 Magnificent Perched Villages in Provence by Steve Wilkison: A Book Review

A visit to a remote hilltop village in Provence 30 years ago sparked his fascination. Steve Wilkison has recently published 10 Magnificent Perched Villages in Provence, a book that uniquely combines stunning, original photography, practical travel tips, and insightful historical narratives, offering readers an immersive experience of these extraordinary townsites. If you are planning a visit to Provence’s Alpes-Maritimes, allow this book to guide you to these 10 remarkable perched villages.

Photo credit: ©Steve Wilkison

What is a Perched Village?

Today, Provence inspires visitors and motivates expats to make the big move. However, without delving into millennia of history, this part of the South of France has a tumultuous history of invasion and conquest, with hard-fought battles for territory. And that does not even begin to touch the French Revolution or the two World Wars. So, living in a remote place, surrounded by stone ramparts, and at a sufficient altitude to see your enemy approaching became the norm for small settlements in the Middle Ages. Today, these perched hilltop villages offer incredible views with a dose of historical context as you wander their tiny streets.

Ilonse – photo credit: ©Steve Wilkison

About the Author

Steve Wilkison is a writer, photographer, and web designer living in Vence, France, with his wife, Carole, and their dog, Myla. Originally from Southern California, his love affair with France began at 18 when he backpacked through Europe. He discovered Vence in 2007 while cycling and moved there 12 years later.

He loves to explore France, especially Vence, the Alpes-Maritimes and the Côte d’Azur, be it by car, bike, or foot. On any given day, you might find him exploring a medieval perched village in the southern Alps, cycling along the Mediterranean coastline or hiking in the Mercantour National Park. Steve writes about his adventures and discoveries on his website, Steve and Carole in Vence, and you can read his Perfectly Provence articles here.

Book Review

After a brief introduction, 10 Magnificent Perched Villages in Provence includes one chapter for each village. Steve’s writing highlights Medieval history, scenic landscapes, and preservation of local culture. Each chapter includes:

• a description of the village,
• some detail on the history of the location,
• an interesting antidote (fact or legend),
• highlights of what to see,
• and practical information.

Photo credit: ©Steve Wilkison

Steve’s beautiful photos complement the text. Whether you want to visit all 10 villages or select a few, the book provides terrific detail for a short visit or a longer stay. Many of these villages are remote and not typically on visitors’ itineraries, enhancing the towns’ authentic feel. Starting with Gourdon, on France’s list of “official” beautiful villages, and ending with Saorge, the book covers the highlights of each village. The villages covered in the book include:

• Gourdon
• Bonson
• Bairols
• Ilonse
• Venanson
• Coaraze
• Eze
• Peillon
• Sainte-Agnès
• Saorge

If you had to pick a favourite among these 10 towns, which would it be?

It’s hard, but if I had to pick one favourite among these, it would probably be Gourdon. It’s one of the “Official Most Beautiful Villages of France,” and it can be a bit touristy and crowded during the season, but overall, it’s just magnificent. Very clean, very well-kept. And the setting, overlooking the Côte d’Azur, is just fantastic. If I had to pick a second, it would be Peillon, which is almost completely the opposite. Almost no commerce, no spectacular views of the sea, isolated and almost empty. The other side of the coin.

Peillon – photo credit: ©Steve Wilkison

A Few Questions for the Author

How long did it take you to research and write the book?

I’ve been exploring and photographing these villages for over 30 years. I became fascinated with them when Carole and I were on our honeymoon and visited Peillon. I’d written about some of them on my website, so when I set out to write this book, some of the writing work was already done, and I had a lot of photos. I probably spent about 2 months finishing the writing and putting the book together. Luckily, I was once a graphic designer (I still design and build websites), so I was able to lay out the book myself, which saved a lot of time and money.

What surprised you the most about the history of some of these places?

The incredible amount of work that must have gone into building them over the years. Most of them are very isolated and high up on hills, rocky promenades or even small mountains. Getting the materials and supplies up there a thousand years ago must have been an incredible endeavour.

What attracted you to these (mostly) tiny villages that would not feature on most travel itineraries?

I absolutely love these tiny, isolated villages. The history, the culture, the stories behind each one. I find them so interesting and love visiting them, spending hours walking around and exploring every detail. Additionally, I love that most of them are off the normal tourist routes, so you get a real, authentic French village, not one catering to tourists. It’s one of my favourite things to do in France.

Bairols – photo credit: ©Steve Wilkison

Buy a Copy

10 Magnificent Perched Villages in Provence offers an in-depth look at lesser-known, authentically preserved French villages, combining rarely seen photographs, local stories, and hands-on travel advice. Perfect for those seeking to uncover the region’s hidden gems beyond typical tourist stops, this book stands out for its comprehensive treatment and practical relevance for adventurous travellers and culture seekers alike. Readers interested in French culture and architecture should add this book to their packing list for the Alpes-Maritimes. Available for purchase in paperback or digital format on Steve’s website.

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Châteauneuf-du-Pape Full day Wine Tour with the sommelier-guide and 3 winery visits

Discover one of the most famous red wine-producing areas of France, Châteauneuf-du-Pape, with this wine tour! You will start the day with the discovery of Châteauneuf-du-Pape and its history.

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Carolyne Kauser-Abbott

With her camera and laptop close at hand, Carolyne has traded in her business suits for the world of freelance writing and blogging. Her first airplane ride at six months of age was her introduction to the exciting world of travel.

While in Provence, Carolyne can be found hiking with friends, riding the hills around the Alpilles or tackling Mont Ventoux. Her attachment to the region resonates in Perfectly Provence this digital magazine that she launched in 2014. This website is an opportunity to explore the best of the Mediterranean lifestyle (food & wine, places to stay, expat stories, books on the region, travel tips, real estate tips and more), through our contributors' articles.

Carolyne writes a food and travel blog Ginger and Nutmeg. Carolyne’s freelance articles can be found in Global Living Magazine, Avenue Magazine and City Palate (Published Travel Articles).