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Provence - sky guide
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Romanticised by many authors and artists, Provence is one of France's most irresistible regions. Within easy driving distance of the Cote d'Azur, the rolling hills and rural landscapes of Provence and its historic towns of Aix-en-Provence, Arles and Avignon make this a popular and delightful destination.
The fortified and walled city of Avignon is marked by papal history, having hosted a number of Popes during a brief period of exile in the 14th century. The Palace of the Popes has a commanding position over the town and the adjacent Rhône River (with its famous bridge) and has modest but impressive interiors which are open to the public. There is a lively square out front and nearby are the Petit Palais and Palais du Roure. Wandering around this ancient city is easy and delightful, with its elegant rue Joseph Vernet, Antiquaire quarter, place de l'Horloge and the Chemin de Ronde. The city also hosts a popular annual theatre festival.
Historic Aix, the formal regional capital, is surrounded by pretty countryside full of authentic Provencal houses and traditional French style gardens. It sits beneath the imposing Montagne Ste Victoire and has a wealth of superb architecture centred on the bustling cours Mirabeau and the rue Gaston de Saporta. Highlights include: Cathedral St Sauveur, the Hôtel de Ville, the Tour de l'Horloge and the quartier Mazarin, with its narrow streets and good shopping. There are also several commendable museums featuring impressionist art.
Arles is known for its well-preserved Roman remains. It enjoys a beautiful location on the banks of Rhône, and people come here to see the magnificent Roman arena, amphitheatre, the Alyscamps burial grounds, the Roman Baths of Constantine and the photogenic aqueduct. Arles is also the gateway to the Camargue, with its legendary plains and European's largest canyon, the Gorges du Verdon.
Inland Provence, particularly towards the east, reaching as far as the snow-capped Alps, remains remarkably untouched by modernization. The haystacks on the rolling hills have inspired many of France and Italy's most celebrated impressionist artists. Driving among the unhurried rural towns of this area is especially rewarding. The Parc National du Mercantour is a conservation area in this mountainous terrain.
A few hours' drive away is the fantastic Cote d'Azur, with popular seaside towns such as Nice, Monaco, Antibes and Cannes.
More details on the
Cote d'Azur
,
Nice
,
Cannes
and
Monaco
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www.provenceweb.fr/e/provpil.htm
for Provence car hire
