Provence, France
Provence is a geographical region in southeastern France, extending from the lower Rhône to the Italian border and bordered by the Mediterranean Sea to the south. It largely corresponds with the modern administrative region of Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur and includes several departments, with Marseille as its largest city and capital.
Avignon
In the 14th century, the popes were drawn to Avignon's strategic location on the Rhône and decided to make it their residence. The city then became known as the "City of the Popes".
Exploring Avignon by foot is simple, and visitors will have no trouble navigating the town. Due to its compact size, several key landmarks and historical attractions are conveniently located together.
Discover the main highlights......
Notre Dame des Doms
Rocher des Doms
Jardin du Rocher des Doms
Pont Saint-Bénézet
Place de l'Horloge
Opéra Théâtre
Hôtel de Ville
Eglise du Couvent des Celestins
Musée Angladon-Dubrujeaud
Eglise Saint Didier
Rue de la République
Visit the wineries of Chateauneuf-du-Pape and enjoy the beautiful panoramic views from the ruins of the castle, which is also the Popes' former summer residence.
Once a famous mill town, the riverside village of L’Isle sur la Sorgue has a worldwide reputation as the centre for antiques. Spend a day browsing the market stalls that line the canal, shopping for collectibles, food, flowers, and local crafts.
Visit the nearby village of Fontaine-de-Vaucluse, famous for its turquoise springs, the source of the river Sorgue.
Train from Avignon to Nice: The approximate travel time is 3.5 hours.
Train from Avignon to Paris: Approximate travel time is 2.5 hours.
Most ships dock near the Pont Saint-Bénézet bridge, in the heart of Avignon.
Luberon
Visit the Regional Natural Park and its many roads linking the villages of Cucuron, Lourmarin, Menerbes, Bonnieux, and Lacoste.
Walk through the medieval village of Lacoste, crowned by the ruins of the château of the Marquis de Sade. In Menerbes, go wine tasting and take a walk through the pretty village.
Nearby, the village of Gordes is known as one of the most beautiful places in France. The village is full of interesting monuments, such as the castle and St. Firmin Church. You can also see the lavender gardens at the Abbaye de Senanque.
After Gordes, continue to Oppède and Ménerbes, two other emblematic villages in Provence's Luberon region.
Visit Domaine de Fontenille, a mansion wrapped in cedars and century-old olive trees in the Provencal countryside. Dine at the on-site Michelin-starred restaurant, Le Champ des Lunes, and walk around the centuries-old vineyard and kitchen garden which are open to the public.
Arles
Arles, a city of art and history, is known for its inspiration of Van Gogh's masterpieces and has hundreds of Roman monuments including the arena (still in use today), the theatre, and Cryptoporticus.
The city is massive, but the Old Town area feels like its own little village and is quite walkable.
The city is approximately a five-minute walk from the pier. On days when Arles' pier is overcrowded, riverboats dock at the nearby village of Tarascon and take a 20-minute shuttle ride to the city.
A number of river lines use Arles as either an embarkation or disembarkation point for their cruises, as the city is also within close proximity to Marseille (the nearest major international airport).
Alpilles
Visit The Alpilles Regional Natural Park, covered with pine forests, sparkling white limestone cliffs, and home to charming villages.
Leaning against the southern slopes of the Alpilles, is the Domaine d'Estoublon, where you can experience olive oils and exceptional wines.
Saint-Remy-de-Provence
Discover Provence's wine and olive oil trails, with visits to exceptional vineyards and olive oil mills to taste the regional varieties.
Visit the archaeological site of Glanum, just outside of Saint-Rémy-de-Provence. Spend time exploring the ruins, including the mausoleum and triumphal arch.
Visit the monastery of Saint-Paul de Mausole, where the legendary painter Vincent Van Gogh voluntarily admitted himself in 1889.
Cassis
Walk through the village, relax on the small sandy beach, or take a short boat ride through Les Calanques de Cassis, a UNESCO World Heritage-listed national park known for its turquoise waters and white cliffs.
Marseille
Vieux Port (Old Port): Marseille's historic harbor, where you can watch fishing boats and yachts bobbing in the water. Explore the quayside cafes, seafood restaurants, and bustling markets.
Basilique Notre-Dame de la Garde: Climb up to the highest point in Marseille to visit the iconic basilica, offering panoramic views of the city, and the Mediterranean Sea.
Le Panier: Wander through Marseille's oldest district, known for its colorful streets, charming squares, and vibrant street art.
MuCEM (Museum of European and Mediterranean Civilizations): Discover the cultural heritage of the region at this modern museum, which features exhibits on archaeology, art, history, and contemporary culture.
The Parc Emile Duclaux : Offers excellent views, including views over major attractions such as the Mucem, Fortress of Saint Jean, and Saint-Ferréol les Augustins church.
The Palais Longchamp: Located in the centre and was built to celebrate the arrival of water in Marseille. Visit the monument houses, the Natural History Museum and a Fine Arts Museum.
Don't miss the bustling markets of La Canebière and Rue Saint-Ferréol, where you can find everything from local produce to handmade crafts.
Roughly a 35-minute drive from the city, Calanques National Park offers a wonderful retreat from urban life. Explore the breathtaking limestone cliffs and turquoise coves by hiking or boating in this protected natural park situated just south of Marseille.
The Château d’If is a fortress on the island of île d’If facing Marseille. Originally built by King Francis I of France, it became a prison due to its isolated location. Notable prisoners included José Custodio Faria, who inspired the novel ‘The Count of Monte-Cristo’. It closed as a prison and is now open to the public and is just 20 minutes by boat from the Vieux Port.
Marseille has many beaches, ranging from small white sandy beaches to expansive beaches of Prado to more intimate coves closer to the Calanques National Park. Driving along Corniche Kennedy, a scenic route that runs along the coast, gives you stunning views! For a more active experience, the Corniche has a lovely cycle path that stretches from the city centre to the Prado beaches.
Visit The Orange Velodrome Stadium, which is one of the most famous sports venues in the world.
Aix-en-Provence
Aix en Provence is home to the vineyards that produce the world's best rosé (as well as superb reds and whites) and the beautiful Montagne Sainte Victoire, made famous by the painter Cezanne.
Exploring Aix-en-Provence is easy once you arrive, whether you prefer walking, biking, or driving. The city's museums, shops, outdoor activities, and other attractions are easily accessible.
In the heart of the city, you'll find a number of pedestrian-only streets, including Rue Gaston de Saporta, Rue des Tanneurs, Rue Tournefort, Rue de la Vallerie, Rue Marechal Foch, and Rue Gibelin.
The Granet Museum, known as one of the finest in France, is just off Rue d'Italie, very close to Cours Mirabeau and contains collections by Rembrandt, Ingres, and Cezanne.
Visit the gardens of the Pavillon Vendôme and the Cathédrale St Saveur. Enjoy the numerous squares, historic buildings, fountains, and the Quartier Mazarin.
Explore the Château La Coste vineyard and wine cellar to learn about the wine-growing process and sample red, white, and rosé wines. The estate combines art, architecture, and nature, offering guests the chance to stroll through woodlands, hills, olive trees, and vines while admiring artwork.
Saint-Tropez
Known for accommodating some of the world's wealthiest and most-famous holidaymakers, St. Tropez is a paradise for the rich and for anyone who is looking for a beautiful and serene vacation spot. The iconic destination has been featured in some of the world's most classic films, including And God Created Woman, and has also been touched and captured by many 20th-century artists such as Fauve, Bonnard, Dufy and Matisse. Most tourists, however, come to St. Tropez to enjoy the pretty beaches, the best restaurants, and the finest wines. Everything here is made to order, and you won't be disappointed.
Head outside the city to quaint farmland areas and visit the Château de Saint-Martin winery, which has been run by women since it was built in the 18th century.
Explore the village of Port Grimaud, whose winding canals will remind you of Venice.
The journey from St. Tropez to the quaint picture-perfect town of Sainte-Maxime will take less than 30 minutes. If you can, head straight to the Old town (which is car free) to experience the historic side of this now modernized city. Sainte-Maxime also has a number of sandy beaches, including La Nartelle to the north. Enjoy the town's laid-back atmosphere and lifestyle, taken from its quiet fishing village past. Make sure you sample some fresh seafood while you are here and walk along the popular harbor.
