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French Provence is an ancient province that stretches from the lower Rhone River to the eastern border of Italy. It is considered by many tourists and travelers as an experience full of magic, with many different places to visit and experience.
From ancient ruins, beautiful cities and picturesque villages, to natural landscapes of unparalleled beauty, with quiet and peaceful surroundings. Experts recommend touring it, if possible by car for several days, as this allows you to make stops in the places you want, in addition to reaching other points that are inaccessible to public transport.
You can also enjoy the beautiful Lavender Fields so famous, which fill the landscape with their beautiful shades of purple. It is recommended to visit between the months of June to August, because it is the time of flowering.
Some cities to visit in Provence, in the south of France:
Marseille, the capital of Provence: founded by the Greeks more than 2000 years ago, it is the 2nd most important city in France, after Paris. In addition, it has a privileged location on the Mediterranean coast, with beaches of crystal clear waters.
What is most striking is the old town and the Old Port, a very pleasant place for a stroll; in addition, near this port, at the level of the hill, is located the famous Basilica of Notre-Dame de la Garde. Another interesting visit is the If Castle, immortalized in the book The Count of Monte Cristo, which can be reached by boat.
The City of Avignon: also known as the seat of the Popes between 1309 and 1377, it is located on the banks of the Rhone. It became in medieval times one of the richest and most powerful cities in Europe. There are many interesting places to visit, such as the Papal Palace, which was the residence of the popes at the time.
Also, the beautiful Avignon Bridge, the Cathedral of Notre-Dame-des-Doms or the Clock Square, the ramparts, the Petit Palais, which was built to expose, in 1900, the Universal Exhibition of Paris and houses the Fine Arts of this city. You can also stroll through the cobblestone streets of the old town.
The City of Arles: located on the banks of the Rhone River, it currently has Roman monuments and ruins dating back to the 6th century BC. Constructions such as the Roman Theater, the Amphitheater, the Underground Galleries of the Forum, the Baths of Constantine and the Colosseum called the Arenas.
Also, in the historic center is located the Church of Saint Trophime and also the Forum Square, which was represented by the painter Van Gogh and entitled Terrace of coffee at night, as the character lived in this beautiful city.
The City of Aix-en-Provence: it is said to be the most elegant city of French Provence, with a bourgeois atmosphere and an architectural and cultural heritage of great beauty. It is a city with many trees and boulevards, where you can stop for a coffee and a typical croissant.
In addition to strolling through the old town, visit its fountains, squares, palaces, museums and gardens. Among them we recommend the Musée Granet, the Cours Mirabeau squares, those of the City Hall, also the Saint-Sauveur Cathedral, among others.
Some villages to visit in Provence:
Les Baux de Provence Village: this village is located on the Alpilles mountain range, with approximately 400 inhabitants. It is a village that takes you back to medieval times, with narrow cobblestone streets, decorated and picturesque houses with flowers and a medieval castle, although in ruins.
Strolling through its streets will lead you to the Saint-Vincent square, the church of Saint-Vincent and the chapel of the White Penitents. It is a simple but very pretty village, which is much visited by tourists. Experts recommend visiting it early in the morning or at sunset.
The Villages of Luberon: Luberon is also called the heart of Provence. It is located in a mountain massif, formed by the Luberon Petite to the west, towards the center the Grand Luberon and ends in the eastern Luberon. With an area of about 600 square kilometers and an altitude of about 1256 m above sea level.
Constituted by several peoples who have left their traces, such as the Cavars, also the Greeks, then the Romans, then the Popes of Avignon and also the Waldensians of Italy. We can find ancient abbeys, the villages of Bonnieeux, Gordes, Lourmarin, Rousillon, Ménerbes, and near the village of Rustrel, the Colorado Provence.
These are original rock formations, in reddish and golden tones, the path of Ochres that come from ancient quarries. In addition, they also enjoy beautiful nature, such as the Lavender Fields, the cedar forest Foret des Cédre and the Calavon River Gorges.
Natural Sites of Provence in the South of France:
The Lavender Fields of French Provence: it is one of the attractions that most impact tourists, but basically they are appreciated from mid-June to mid-August. However, if we decide to visit them, it is recommended to consult the map on the time of flowering and the main routes, since not all fields bloom at the same time.
These fields are located on the slopes of Mont Ventoux, those surrounding the Cistercian abbey, also those of Valensole, among others. In addition, you can buy honey from these lavender fields.
The Camargue Natural Park: it is located on the shores of the Mediterranean, where you can see rice fields and salt marshes; a paradise for nature lovers; a different and secluded world.
Marshlands, some fishing villages and lagoon-like areas where you can observe the beautiful pink flamingos in Domaine de la Palissade. Likewise, the flat fields, where the white horses typical of the region and the symbol of this area run; also in the farms the Camargue bulls usually graze.
The incredible Gorges de Verdon: to observe these gorges you can follow the Route des Crétes road and reach the viewpoints, such as Belvédére de l’Escalés. We are talking about a spectacular canyon that for thousands of years was excavated by the Verdon River.
Thus were created these fantastic gorges with turquoise waters and that run about 25 km long, with vertical walls, reaching up to 700 m in height. But the idea is not only to observe, you can also take a ride on the river, either by kayak or raft, or if you prefer hiking activities.
The National Park of the Calanques: here we will find a combination of mountain and sea, with coves of turquoise and crystalline waters, white sand and hidden between steep cliffs; located very close to the city of Marseille. But it is accessible by sea, either by kayak or boat.
But if you prefer and you like adventure, you can also get there by a hiking route a little strong, especially in summer, because the access by car is limited, because it is high season, making it difficult to park or a free place for hours.
