Aix-en-Provence
In 1895 Cézanne rented a cabanon (cabin) at the Carrières de Bibemus, east of Aix, where he painted 27 works. Atmospheric one-hour tours of the ochre…
Must-see attractions in Bouches-du-Rhône
Bouches-du-Rhône
Reopened after an expensive program of renovations, this impressive Renaissance hôtel particulier was built in 1513 by Balthazar de Sade (ancestor of the…
Marseille
Intended as much to control the citizens of Marseille as guard them from external threat, Fort St-Jean was built by Louis XIV in 1660 on the site of a…
Marseille
This eye-catching white structure next to MuCEM is no ordinary ‘villa’. Designed by architect Stefano Boeri in 2013, the sleek white edifice sports a…
Aix-en-Provence
Cézanne’s last studio, where he worked from 1902 until his death four years later, has been painstakingly preserved. Some elements have been recreated:…
Musée d’Archéologie Méditerranéenne
Marseille
Founded in the mid-19th century, and housed in La Vieille Charité since 1989, this small archaeological museum explores Mediterranean and Near-Eastern…
Aix-en-Provence
Built between 1285 and 1350 in a potpourri of styles, this cathedral includes a Romanesque 12th-century nave in its southern aisle, chapels from the 14th…
Pays d’Aix
A stunning Pays d'Aix photo opportunity framed by Montagne Ste-Victoire, this 13th-century château is the final resting place of Pablo Picasso. Owned and…
Pays d’Aix
One of the oldest and largest fortified palaces in Provence, the Château de l'Empéri has roots in the 9th-century, though it grew to its current immensity…
Musée d’Arts Africains, Océaniens & Amérindiens
Marseille
These three collections of 'exotic' art have been installed in the handsome Vieille Charité since 1992. Well worth a visit, the museum explores the…
Aix-en-Provence
This 13th-century Gothic church in Aix’s Quartier Mazarin, built as a fortified place of worship by the Knights Hospitaller, was the first of its kind in…
Marseille
Creations of Marseille-born sculptor César Baldaccini (1921–98) jostle for space with works by Christo, Andy Warhol, Jean-Michel Basquiat and Nice New…
Aix-en-Provence
In 1859 Cézanne’s father bought Le Jas de Bouffan, an 18th-century country manor west of Aix where Cézanne painted furiously, producing 36 oils and 17…
Bouches-du-Rhône
The entire Côte Bleue, from Anse des Laurons to Pointe des Corbières and extending three kilometres offshore, falls within this protected marine…
Pays d’Aix
Under cultivation since 1930, these vineyards are responsible for some of Aix's most beloved rosés. Pey Blanc also makes excellent whites and reds, is…
Musée des Arts Décoratifs, de la Faïence et de la Mode
Marseille
Over 2000 rare and often-wonderful examples of furniture, tapestry, ceramics and clothing from the 18th century to the present day are displayed across…
Marseille
Its subdued façade makes the Fotokino visual art gallery easy to miss, but inside it offers a dazzling world of graphic eye-candy. Expect illustrations,…
Pays d’Aix
Built in the 10th century to consolidate land 'reconquered' from the Moors, this ruined castle originally bore the name Ventabren – the village growing…
Pays d’Aix
From the turn of the 20th century until the 1950s, soap was a buoyant business in Salon, making fortunes for manufacturers such as Marius Fabre. Run by…
Marseille
One of Provence’s most enduring Christmas traditions is its santons (plaster-moulded, kiln-fired nativity figures), first created by Marseillais artisan…
Pays d’Aix
Michel de Nostredame, popularly known as the prognosticator Nostradamus, lived here from 1547 until his death in 1566. A physician and philosopher, he…
Bouches-du-Rhône
On Marseille's northern outskirts the little port of L'Estaque is renowned as an epicentre of the impressionist, Fauvist and cubist movements. A trail…
Aix-en-Provence
A wonderful terraced garden perfect for a picnic, from where Cézanne, among others, painted the Montagne Ste-Victoire. The view of the jagged mountain is…
Marseille
This niche museum is housed in the city’s former sanitary station, operational from 1948 until 1971. It’s essentially a graphic art museum exploring…
Marseille
Guarding the southern side of Marseille’s harbour (and threatening its sometimes rebellious citizens, who attempted to destroy it during the Revolution)…
Marseille
Nestled around this picture-postcard fishing village, a remnant of old maritime Marseille long since swallowed by modern sprawl, are traditional cabanons …
Marseille
Five kilometres south of central Marseille, this 17th-century park encompasses a lake, a miniature of the Notre-Dame de la Garde cathedral, a botanical…
Fonds Régional d’Art Contemporain
Marseille
The FRAC for Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur moved to this modern centre in La Joliette, with its striking plate-mail façade, in 2013. It hosts temporary…
Aix-en-Provence
South of Aix’s centre is the peaceful Parc Jourdan, home to the town’s Boulodrome Municipal, where locals gather beneath plane trees to play pétanque. An…
Pays d’Aix
This handsome church was built between 1344 and 1480 (aside from a brief hiatus when half the town had a touch of the Black Death). Nostradamus' remains…
Bouches-du-Rhône
An engaging little museum chronicling the area’s rich heritage, with fossils, dinosaur remains and other archaeological curiosities, as well as displays…
Bouches-du-Rhône
Modern and contemporary art exhibitions fill a beautiful 18th-century hôtel particulier (private mansion). There's also a recently expanded interpretation…
Aix-en-Provence
Across from the Palace of Justice, this 17th-century church only received its monumental facade in the 19th century, and has an imposing obelisk out the…
Aix-en-Provence
In the centre of cours Mirabeau is this lovely sculpted fountain from 1823, depicting the 15th-century king holding muscat grapes (which he reputedly…
Aix-en-Provence
Dating to 1667, this small fountain, the first along the Cours Mirabeau, is fed by 18ºC spring water that encourages the diversity of greenery with which…
Pays d’Aix
This tiny, 9-hectare winery manages to cultivate 25 different grape varieties, many ancient and rare, producing highly respected, AOC-protected whites,…
Aix-en-Provence
This especially charming square in the Quartier Mazarin has a baroque fountain (1667) with water-spouting dolphins.
Pays d’Aix
Famed for its rosé, Château de la Gaude is graced by a delightful formal garden and listed 18th-century château.
Aix-en-Provence
This elegantly vaulted baroque chapel was originally part of a 17th-century monastery.
Marseille
The small, bustling, beach-volleyball-busy Plage des Catalans is the closest stretch of sand to the Vieux Port.
