Situated in Marseille's 7th arrondissement, the Vallon des Auffes neighborhood looks like it could have been plucked from another century. This compact, dense fishing area is full of colorful houses painted in hues of salmon and yellow—surrounding a tiny harbor that's usually full of small fishing boats.
Set between the dramatic landscapes of the Verdon Gorge and the Valensole plateau, the man-madeLake of Sainte-Croix (Lac de Sainte-Croix) is among Provence’s most popular vacation spots. With sandy lakeside beaches, water temperatures rivaling those of the Mediterranean Sea, and fewer crowds than the French Riviera, it’s the ideal summer destination.
Dominating the landscape around Aix-en-Provence, Sainte-Victoire Mountain (Montagne Sainte-Victoire) is a limestone ridge immortalized by Aix-en-Provence painter Paul Cézanne. Whether you bike or hike to the top or just admire the silhouette from afar, its angular profile can be seen for miles around.
The tawny walls of Fort Saint-Jean rise from the Bay of Marseille, a 17th-century military installation that’s among the city’s most visited sites. A footbridge links the fort and the Museum of European and Mediterranean Civilizations (Le Mucem), forming a complex for art, culture, and history with sweeping views across the water.
One of Marseille’s key religious landmarks, the city’s cathedral (known locally as the Cathédrale La Major stands just steps from the water’s edge. Built in the 19th century, the neo-Byzantine church is distinctive for its striped facade and vibrant interior; it’s not to be confused with the hilltop Basilique Notre-Dame de la Garde.
Black bulls, white horses, and pink flamingos are the standout sights in Camargue Regional Nature Park, a rugged marshland between the Rhône Delta and the Mediterranean. Wildlife aside, the coastal scenery here is unique, with salt flats, rice fields, canals, and bull ranches forming the backdrop of this so-called cowboy country.
The largest Gothic palace in the world, Avignon’s Palace of the Popes (Palais des Papes) was home to the heads of the Roman Catholic Church in the 14th century. Visitors can tour the grand rooms, landscaped gardens, and secret passages used by members of the clergy, and see special exhibitions and concerts held at the palace.
At the center of picturesque Aix-en-Provence is Cours Mirabeau, a plane tree–shaded avenue lined with chic stores, patisseries, and restaurants. Marked along its length by fountains, this street is the most popular place in town for a pre- or postlunch stroll and a must-visit stop on guided tours of the town.
A spectacular waterfront roadway, La Corniche—aka the Corniche President John Fitzgerald Kennedy, or the Corniche Kennedy—winds along Marseille’s Mediterranean coast for 3 miles (5 kilometers). Originally a pedestrian thoroughfare, it now serves both those on foot and four wheels looking for salty seaside views, accessible beaches, fabulous restaurants, and a taste of the city’s gorgeous coastline.
Set in the Luberon region of Provence, Fountain of Vaucluse (Fontaine-de-Vaucluse) is a small village famous for its hidden spring. The “fountain” feeds the Sorgue River and is a bit of a mystery, as the source of this underground spring is unknown. The Sorgue River is so crystal clear it appears emerald and is the area’s main attraction.
Launched in 2013 in honor of Marseille's designation as an EU Capital of Culture, the Museum of European and Mediterranean Civilizations was an excellent addition to the city's already fantastic museum. Its focus is on the history and culture of the Mediterranean basis, exploring the cultural history of the region and those who shaped it.
With a history dating back to the Bronze Age, Nimes is one of France’s oldest cities. Its Roman ruins—which include the UNESCO-listed Pont du Gard aqueduct and Colosseum-inspired Arènes de Nîmes—still take centerstage in the modern city.
A masterpiece of Provençal Romanesque architecture, the Monastère St Paul-de-Mausole (or the Saint-Paul de Mausole Monastery began as an Augustine monastery in the 12th century, but was later converted to an asylum famously housing artist Vincent Van Gogh after he notoriously cut off his year in 1889. Visitors are drawn to the monastery to see the landscapes that inspired Van Gogh’s most celebrated works.
The Chateau d’If, situated just off the coast of Marseille, is a former French naval base and prison that was immortalized by Alexandre Dumas in the novelThe Count of Monte Cristo. Visit the island fortress to see its jail cells and enjoy panoramic views of the city of Marseille.
The Marseille History Museum presents the story of Europe and beyond through the ages. It takes visitors back in time through the multimedia displays and well-preserved artifacts that make up its permanent collection. The museum usually has several temporary exhibits running concurrently, most themed around an era or historical subject.
The landscape around Aix-en-Provence was a constant inspiration to artist Paul Cézanne (1839–1906), who was born and raised in the southern French town. Located just outside, Cézanne's Studio (Atelier Cézanne)—the studio where the artist painted some of his most famous works—offers visitors fascinating insight into the life of the postimpressionist artist.
This Roman abbey in Marseille has a long and interesting history dating back 1,500 years. Visitors come to tour the basilica and learn more about the building and the community of monks that once lived here.
Once an almshouse and now a museum, the Centre de la Vieille Charité in Marseille is home to a number of museums and also hosts cultural events covering a wide range of themes.
With its white-stone buildings, Renaissance architecture, and traditional French market, Uzès is a picturesque pocket of Languedoc that’s all-too-often overlooked by visitors. The city’s Roman roots link it to the region’s most memorable monument, the UNESCO-listed Pont du Gard aqueduct, which delivered water from Uzès to Nîmes in ancient times.
Located near the medieval village of Les Baux de Provence, the Quarries of Lights (Carrières de Lumières) is a multimedia art show projected onto massive limestone walls of a former quarry. Accompanied by music, this 40-minute light show mainly features works by famous artists.
For some of the best views of the Mediterranean, head to France's highest sea cliff: Cap Canaille. Standing at just under 1,300 feet (396 meters), this headland in the Calanque National Park is nothing if not dramatic, offering great views of neighboring cliffs, beaches, and communities, particularly on clear days.
The French town of Orange is a popular destination known not only for its sunny, picturesque charm, but also for its long history. Visit to see it’s impressive Roman architecture, which include some of the world’s most notable examples outside of Rome itself.
Among the most popular of Marseille's calanques—narrow limestone inlets that jut out into the Mediterranean Sea—the Calanque de Sormiou is a beautiful place for swimming, sunbathing, and just taking in the views. It's also one of the easier-to-access calanques in the area, and you can get there by car or bicycle.
Experience the faded grandeur of Marseille’s famous boulevard, La Canabière, and explore the many layers of history and commerce that make up this vibrant city.
The Saint Benezet Bridge, better known as the Pont d’Avignon is Avignon’s most famous landmark, immortalized in the popular French children’s song. Only a small section of the original bridge across the Rhone river remains.
Built on the site of an ancient Roman forum, the Aix Cathedral (Cathédrale Saint Sauveur) is one of the oldest and best-loved buildings in Aix-en-Provence. It dates to the 12th century and, despite many modifications over the years, remains a particular draw for fans of Romanesque and Gothic architecture.
Lourmarin Castle (Château de Lourmarin) is a castle in the village of the same name in the Luberon region of southern France. Originally built as a medieval fortress in the 12th century, the Renaissance-style castle draws visitors today with its remarkable stonework, gorgeous gardens, and summer concerts on the castle terrace.
Perched beside the magnificent Palace of the Popes (Palais des Papes) right next door, Avignon Cathedral (Cathedrale Notre-Dame des Doms) is the oldest monument of the medieval palace complex. The cathedral dates to the 12th century and is renowned for its Romanesque style and a bell tower capped with a 30-foot (6-meter) gilded statue of the Virgin Mary.
Perched on top of a huge rock, Les Baux-de-Provence is one of France’s most beautiful villages—and one of the region’s most popular destinations. Aside from the impressive location and panoramic views, visitors to the village can enjoy the unique Carrières des Lumières art installation, where images of famous artworks and photography are projected onto sheer walls of rock.
The Îles du Frioul is a collection of four small islands just off the coast of Marseille. In their long history, the islands have been used as the site of a fortress and prison, and a quarantine zone for people suspected of carrying the plague cholera. Nowadays visitors come to hike the islands and visit the famous Chateau d’If.
