The Luberon
This curious village museum was founded by Provençal painter and diver Georges Mazoyer, whose passion for the sea shows in the museum’s fossil exhibits…
Must-see attractions in Provence & the Côte d'Azur
Mémorial du Débarquement de Provence
Toulon
Near the summit of Mont Faron, Mémorial du Débarquement de Provence commemorates the Allied landings of Operation Dragoon, which took place along the…
St-Tropez
Chapelle de la Miséricorde was built in 1645 in the Gambetta neighbourhood by the local confraternity of 'black penitents' (a quasi-official religious…
St-Tropez
A cast from a 19th-century cannon peers out to sea here. The bailli (bailiff), Pierre André de Suffren (1729–88), was a sailor who fought with a Tropezien…
The Luberon
Apt's various industries – ochre-mining, fruits confits and faiences (glazed ceramics) – are explored at this modest but well-curated museum in the middle…
St-Tropez
Sweet-chiming Église de St-Tropez is a quintessential St-Trop landmark, commenced in Italian baroque style in the 17th century, but not completed until…
The Luberon
Surrounded by lavender fields and beneath some of Europe’s darkest night-time skies, this observatory reveals astronomical wonders using high-powered…
Jardin Botanique de la Villa Thuret
Antibes
In the centre of Cap d'Antibes, this serene, 3.5-hectare botanical garden was created in 1856 and showcases 2500 species – the perfect opportunity to…
Musée Peynet et du Dessin Humoristique
Antibes
A bit of an enthusiast's museum, but if you're a fan of bandes dessinées (comics), you might want to take a look at the work of Antibes-born Raymond…
Avignon
Construction on this Romanesque and Gothic Carmelite church and cloister began in the 13th century. It became one of the first theatre and dance venues of…
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…
Antibes
Antibes' cathedral was built on the site of an ancient Greek temple, and has an impressive neoclassical façade (currently undergoing renovation). Its tall…
St-Tropez
Predating St-Tropez’ citadel are three medieval towers guarding the port: Portalet, Jarlier and Suffren, the oldest building in St-Tropez, dating from the…
Côte d'Azur
At the southeastern edge of the old town is the 3rd-century Porte d'Orée, the only remaining arcade of monumental Roman thermal baths. The scant remnants…
Viewpoint Where Van Gogh Painted 'Starry Night Over the Rhône'
Arles
This is the spot where Van Gogh painted Starry Night Over the Rhône (1888) now hanging in Paris' Musée d'Orsay. When conditions are right, you can see at…
Cathédrale Notre-Dame de la Nativité
Côte d'Azur
Vence's Romanesque cathedral was built in the 11th century on the site of an old Roman temple. It contains Chagall’s mosaic of Moses (1979), appropriately…
Côte d'Azur
This prestigious tennis club, founded at the turn of the 20th century, hosts numerous events on its eight clay courts, including a riveting ITF…
Arles
Completed in 1676, and still the seat of Arles' government, the handsome Town Hall is also the entrance to the subterranean Roman Cryptoportiques.
Èze
Down by the waterfront in Èze Mer, this private beach opens daily in warm weather, with sun loungers, umbrellas and dreamy Mediterranean views. Pricey…
Cannes
Dating to 1876, Cannes' imposing four-storey town hall is one of the city's most prominent landmarks. Look for it along the waterfront between the Palais…
Grasse
Once a humble church, Notre-Dame du Puy became Grasse’s cathedral in 1244. The current façade dates to the early 20th century. Inside there are paintings…
Nice
The scant remains of Nice's Roman amphitheatre can't compare to other ancient sites in southern France, but they do lend an atmospheric air to the park…
The Luberon
On the edge of the village, this working olive-oil mill allows you to follow the process from tree to bottle. Delicious honey is also made here. Tastings…
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…
Avignon
Porte St-Charles is one of the entryways to Avignon's Unesco-registered walled city, located on the walls' southwestern edge; it's a modern-day breach cut…
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…
Arles
Arles' cultural museum, founded all the way back in 1889 with the intent of documenting regional culture, styles and creators, is closed for renovations…
Avignon
Porte de la République is one of the gateways to Avignon's walled city, located on the southern edge of the walls, and across from the central train…
Avignon
Porte de l'Oulle is one of the entryways to Avignon's walled city, located on the northwestern edge of the walls, near the River Rhône and Pont d'Avignon.
Avignon
Porte du Rhône is one of the entryways to Avignon's Unesco-registered walled city, located on the northwestern edge of the walls, near Pont St-Bénézet.
Côte d'Azur
Cap Taillat is guarded by the Conservatoire du Littoral and shelters some of France's rarest plant species as well as a population of Hermann tortoises.
Avignon
Porte St-Dominque is one of the entryways to Avignon's Unesco-registered walled city, located on the western edge of the walls, near the River Rhône.
Avignon
Porte de la Ligne is one of the entryways to Avignon's Unesco-registered walled city, located on the northen edge of the walls, near the River Rhône.
Avignon
Porte St-Roch is one of the gateways to Avignon's walled city, located on the southwestern corner of the walls; it's particularly well preserved.
Avignon
Basilique St-Pierre, in the centre of the walled city of Avignon, was built between the 14th and 16th centuries in the Flamboyant Gothic style.
Côte d'Azur
This lighthouse is off-limits to the public, but makes a convenient landmark as you walk around the southern tip of the Cap Ferrat peninsula.
Côte d'Azur
On the peninsula's western side, this part-public, part-private beach is especially popular in late afternoon as a place to watch the sunset.
Gorges du Verdon
A fairytale castle in the village of Allemagne-en-Provence, an easy drive from Lac de Quinson. It's about 24km west of Moustiers St-Marie.
Cannes
This urban beach just west of Vieux Port enjoys gorgeous sunset views across to the red rock formations of the Corniche de l'Esterel.
