Southern France

When I think of southern France, it conjures up images of quaint coastal towns, rustic vineyards, medieval castles and Roman ruins, not to mention fields of fragrant lavender. It’s heady stuff, and slightly intoxicating even if you have still to visit. After researching it, I discovered that Provence, the French Riviera or the Côte d’Azur are actually different regions, and potentially several different vacations. With that in mind I concocted a two week plan that includes a taste of the entire region.

This tour is for the independent traveler with an interest in Roman and Medieval history. The easiest way to get around if you don’t drive is by rail, and so my plan is to set up in one location, and do day trips to the nearby towns. I chose Avignon because of its central location, and proximity to several of the towns I will visit, but you could work it from another site easily enough. Many day trips and tours are available in Avignon, and it has plenty to offer on its own.

Historic Provence Itinerary:

• Itinerary: Arrive Avignon from Paris
  Avignon: Avignon Bridge (Ruin), Palace du Pape (former medieval palace of Popes), numerous gardens, cafes, vineyards
• Orange: (22 minutes by train) Roman Theatre, Roman Triumphal Arch
• Nimes: (31 minutes by train) Maison Carree, Roman Amphitheatre
• Arles: (17 minutes by train) Thermes de Constantin (Baths), Roman Theatre, Roman Amphitheatre

Useful links

• Avignon Tourism Site
• Nimes Tourism Site
• Aigua Morte Tourism Site
• Orange Tourism Site
• Aix en Provence Tourism Site
• Carcassonne Tourism Site

The French Riviera

Marseilles (2-3 Days) – Train to Toulon (1 Day) Train to Cannes (1Day) – Train to Monte Carlo (2 Days) – Train to Nice

Marseilles Links

• Beaux-arts museum
• Marseilles Museum of History
• MUCEUM – Museum of Mediterranean History
• Museum of Natural History
• Basilique Notre-Dame de la Garde
• Cathédrale La Major 
• Centre de la Vieille Charité
• Pharo Palace