Provence and Côte d'Azur

Provence’s top sights span the region’s rich and varied history, from Roman arenas, isolated abbeys, and the palace of the medieval popes, to the more recent opulence of the belle époque era and the glamorous resorts beloved of the 20th-century jet set.

Sunsoaked beaches, pretty villages nestled among lavender fields and a mountainous hinterland have inspired generations of artists, and continue to enchant every visitor to the area.

Top 10 Must-See Sights

1. Palais des Papes
The honey-coloured walls and towers of this medieval palace, the seat of 14th-century pontiffs, dominate the delightful town of Avignon.

2. Grand Canyon du Verdon
The Verdon river flows through deep limestone gorges into the turquoise Lac de Ste-Croix, creating one of Provence’s most stunning natural landscapes.

3. Roman Arles
Arles was one of the Roman Empire’s most important cities, and its splendid arena still evokes the age of Caesar.

4. Aix-en-Provence
Cosmopolitan Aix is packed with fascinating museums and historic buildings. Nearby Mont Ste-Victoire inspired one of the greatest Provençal painters, Paul Cézanne.

5. Vieux Nice
Nice is a lively and sophisticated city, but its Old Town retains a quieter, authentic character.

6. St-Tropez
Pretty and chic St-Tropez, with its yacht-filled harbour and gorgeous beaches, is the place to see and be seen on the Provençal coast.

7. The Camargue
Vast lagoons inhabited by wading flamingoes, and plains where native black bulls roam, are just part of the unique, protected landscape that is the Camargue.

8. Vaison-la-Romaine
A treasury of archaeological finds has been unearthed in this small town, once one of Provence’s most important Roman sites.

9. Abbaye Notre-Dame de Sénanque
The great Cistercian abbey is a wonderful example of Romanesque religious architecture.

10. Casino de Monte Carlo
Walk in the footsteps of princes, courtesans and film stars at the Riviera’s most dazzling example of 19th-century grandeur.

Discover more to see and do in Provence at www.traveldk.com/provence.

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