Provence-Alpes-Côte d’Azur
Art, History & Archaeology Sites & Museums

One of the major attractions in Rome, the Arènes d’Arles was built by the Romans in the 1st century AD and is still used for entertainment today, as a venue for bullfighting during the Feria d’Arles in September and various musical events over summer. Although the structure is obviously Roman, it was modified during medieval times. The two towers are what remains of the amphitheatre as a fortress that up until the 18th century protected some 200 houses. These were removed in the 1820s.

An uninscribed obelisk made of red granite and brought to France from Egypt by Constantine I. Arles was one of Constantine’s favourite cities, and here he built baths and an impressive amphitheatre – so well preserved it is still in use today. The obelisk was placed on the spina of the circus – the remains of which can still be seen near the archaeology museum. In late antiquity the obelisk fell and broke in two. Rediscovered in 1389, it was later re-erected in the centre of the Place de la République by Louis XIV.

Just north of present day Arles are the remains of what are thought to be the largest remains of a mill complex from antiquity. An aqueduct that supplied Roman Arles (Arelate) with water was also use to drive 16 water wheels to produce flour. Dating to the 2nd and 3rd centuries AD, the substantial roadside remains include water channels, foundations of the individual mills, as well as the staircase rising up the hill on which the mills were built.

A former brick factory turned internment camp, it is the only large internment and deportation camp in France that is still intact and open to the public. In just over three years 10,000 people from 38 countries were detailed here. From 1939 to 1940 the camp was used to detain Germans and Austrians who had fled Nazism to the south of France. Following the fall of France, from July 1940 the camp was used to house ‘undesirables’. In August and September of 1942 over 2,000 Jewish men, women and children were sent to Auschwitz via Drancy. In 2012 the historic site was opened to the public as a museum. A full tour of the museum takes about 2 hours 30 minutes.

Opened in June 2022, Cosquer Méditerranée is home to the recently created replica of Grotte Cosquer. The submerged entrance to the cave of Cosquer was discovered in 1985 but the Ice Age art, both paintings and engravings, were only found by divers in 1991. The first human occupation of the cave was about 30,000 years ago, and the last around 19,000 years before the present. This new facility tells the story, history and archaeology of Cosquer Cave. After taking a lift to the replicated submerged entrance 37 below sea level, visitors board exploratory vehicles and take a guided tour, available in 6 different languages, to explore the replica of the ‘underwater cave’ on a journey that takes 35 minutes.

Despite the rather unassuming setting, le Pont Flavien is said to be one of the most beautiful Roman bridges outside of Italy. Certainly it is unique in France in that it has a pair of ceremonial arches at either end, each with a pair of crouching lions on top. The bridge has suffered much since it was built, but each time it has been painstakingly reconstructed. The parapets are modern, and only one of the lions is original. But still, anyone who is fascinated by Roman engineering should not miss it. It is thought that the bridge was as much a funerary monument as it was functional.

The ancient town of Glanum started out as an Iron Age oppidum at about 500 years BC. During the 2nd century BC the town became substantially Hellenised as a result of contact with the Greeks settled in Marseilles. After the defeat of the Gauls during the 1st century BC until the 3rd century AD Glanum was an important town with numerous religious and civic monuments being constructed.

Over the departmental road (D5) from Glanum archaeological site are two large Roman monuments known as Les Antiques. One is a mausoleum the other a triumphal arch. The cenotaph, is not only a unique example of Roman funerary architecture it is also very well preserved. It was built sometime between 30 and 20 BC for a wealthy Gallo-Roman family. The nearby arch was erected in 20 AD to commemorate Caesar’s conquest of various tribes of Gauls. Two striking examples of monumental Roman architecture.

Known locally as ‘le Char Jeanne d’Arc’, the M4 Sherman tank commemorates the conflict that took place on the hill in front of Notre-Dame de la Garde between 25 and 26 August, 1944. Next to the tank is a memorial to 4,300 named Moroccan goumiers who died in service to France during WWI, WWII and other interwar conflicts. Some of these men led the assault to liberate Marseille from the Germans. During the street fighting, the tank was hit by a German hand grenade, killing the three American soldiers inside the vehicle.

For about 1,000 years there has been a monastery near the archaeological site of Glanum. And for much of this time the community of monks has been known for taking in people with mental illness. The convent was nationalised after the French Revolution, and in 1807 it was sold to a doctor who then established a psychiatric asylum. On 8 May in 1889 Vincent Van Gogh was admitted, staying until 16 May 1890. Besides seeing his room, there is a walking tour of the gardens showing where he made some of his finest paintings. Also, a great place to see lavender.

A fortified but ruined Benedictine monastery on the outskirts of Arles. The complex of religious architecture has its origins in the 10th century with additions throughout the centuries until the 18th century. Visitors can see the 11th century hermitage Chapel of St Peter, the 14th century fortified monastery with Romanesque sculpture in the cloister, as well as the ruins of the 17th century Maurist monastery, amongst other features. Including rock-cut graves dating to the period between the 11th and 14th century.

For most of the 14th century Avignon was the seat of Western Christianity. The Palais des Papes is in fact two conjoining Papal palaces: the Palais Vieux and Palais Neuf. Together they make up the largest Gothic building in Europe, and one of the most important. The Episcopal complex, the 12th century bridge and the historic centre of Avignon were added to the UNESCO list of World Heritage Sites in 1995.

Until 2005, nearly two thousand years after its construction, Pont Julien was still used for cars and other light vehicles to cross the River Calavon. Now, it is restricted to motorbikes and pedestrians. The Roman stone arch bridge was built in 3 BC, without the use of any cement. An interesting feature is the use of openings on the supporting columns to allow floodwater to pass through reducing the potential of destruction. It was situated on the Via Domitia, and is now the only Roman bridge that is both in tact and still in use along that ancient Road.

The Roman theatre in the town of Orange is the best preserved such ancient theatre in Europe, and because of this it has been placed on the UNESCO list of World Heritage Sites. Standing at the top of the cavea, looking down onto the stage and the stage building, is a wonderful experience for all those who enjoy Roman archaeology. Built in the reign of Emperor Augustus during the first century A.D, and with a seating capacity of up to 10,000, the theatre was the scene of great shows in Roman times and it still attracts visitors to musical events today.

There are more Roman remains exposed in Vaison-la-Romaine than anywhere else in France.  Not unproblematically, much of the town was excavated in the first half of the 1900s. For the visitor today there are two areas to explore: one is free, the other, including a museum, not. The earliest Roman buildings date to 50-30 BC, and by the 2nd century AD it was one of the richest cities in the province. The town recovered from Barbarian attacks of 280 AD, and became an important religious centre. A day will allow you to cover most if not all of Vaison comfortably.

On a rocky outcrop on a vast plateau of lavender fields is the picturesque village of Sault. Evidence of human habitation goes back to prehistoric times, but the most prominent landmark today is the 12th century clock tower. The town has one of the oldest regional museums in the area. The weekly market takes place on Wednesday. On the 15th of August the town hosts its annual Lavender Festival. Sault is a popular destination during and out of lavender season, for hikers, cyclists and anyone who enjoys typical Provencal France.

One of the most picturesque Abbeys in France, particularly known for its setting among lavender fields. Although a very popular tourist attraction, Sénanque Abbey is still a functioning monastic community. The abbey was founded by Cistercian monks in 1148. At the time of the French Revolution only three monks lived here. They were expelled and the abbey nationalised. During the second half of the 19th century the abbey had something of a revival. Today the monks rely on tourism, and the lavender fields and honey production.

This exceptionally well preserved Triumphal Arch was built on the Via Agrippa during Augustus’ reign (27 BC to 14 AD). Initially to honor the veterans of the Gallic Wars, Tiberius had it modified to honour Germanicus and his victories over Germanic tribes in the Rhineland. During the medieval period it was part of the town’s wall for defensive purposes. Recently it was restored and is now the centre piece of a landscaped traffic circle.

The town with its distinctive medieval centre is at the heart of the Plateau de Valensole. Here lavender fields make up over 800 square kilometres. If it is the vast fields of lavender, stretching as far as the eye can see, dotted with ruined stone buildings, this is the area you want to visit. At the historic centre of the town is an 11th century  church with an impressive bell tower. The façade is typical Provençal Romanesque, while the choir is gothic. The towns lavender festival is held annually on the third Sunday of July.