Provence
We’ve compiled the best of the best in Provence - browse our top choices for the top things to see or do during your stay.
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1. Abbaye de Montmajour
This magnificent Romanesque abbey looming over the marshlands north of Arles stands in partial ruin. Begun in the 10th century by a handful of Benedictine...
This magnificent Romanesque abbey looming over the marshlands north of Arles stands in partial ruin. Begun in the 10th century by a handful of Benedictine monks, the abbey grew according to an ambitious plan of church, crypt, and cloister and, under the management of worldly lay monks in the 17th century, became more sumptuous. When the Catholic church ejected those monks, they sacked the place, and what remained was eventually sold off as scrap. A 19th-century medieval revival spurred a partial restoration, but portions are still in ruins; what remains is a spare and beautiful piece of Romanesque architecture. The cloister rivals that of St-Trophime in Arles for its balance, elegance, and air of mystical peace: Van Gogh, drawn to its isolation, came often to the abbey to reflect, but the strong mistral winds kept him from painting there. The interior, renovated by contemporary architect Rudy Ricciotti, is used for world-class contemporary art exhibitions.
Route de Fontvieille, Arles, Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur, 13200, France04–90–54–64–17Sight Details
Rate Includes: €6, Closed Mon. Oct.--Mar. -
2. Abbaye de Sénanque
If you've fantasized about Provence's famed lavender fields, head to the wild valley some 4 km (2½ miles) north of Gordes (via D177), where this...
If you've fantasized about Provence's famed lavender fields, head to the wild valley some 4 km (2½ miles) north of Gordes (via D177), where this photogenic 12th-century Romanesque abbey seemingly floats above a redolent sea of lavender (in full bloom late June through August). Begun in 1150 and completed at the dawn of the 13th century, the church and adjoining cloister are without decoration but still touch the soul with their chaste beauty. Along with the abbeys of Le Thornet and Silvacane, this is one of a trio of "Three Sisters" built by the Cistercian Order in this area. Next door, the enormous vaulted dormitory contains an exhibition on Abbaye de Sénanque's construction, and the refectory shelters a display on the history of Cistercian abbeys. The few remaining monks here now preside over a cultural center presenting concerts and exhibitions. The bookshop has a huge collection of books about Provence (lots in English).
Gordes, Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur, 84220, France04–90–72–05–72Sight Details
Rate Includes: €8 -
3. Arènes
The best-preserved Roman amphitheater in the world is a miniature of the Colosseum in Rome (note the small carvings of Romulus and Remus, the wrestling...
The best-preserved Roman amphitheater in the world is a miniature of the Colosseum in Rome (note the small carvings of Romulus and Remus, the wrestling gladiators, on the exterior and the intricate bulls' heads etched into the stone over the entrance on the north side). More than 435 feet long and 330 feet wide, it had a seating capacity of 24,000 in its day. Bloody gladiator battles, criminals being thrown to animals, and theatrical wild-boar chases drew crowds to its bleachers. Nowadays the corrida transforms the arena (and all of Nîmes) into a sangria-flushed homage to Spain. Concerts are held here year-round, thanks to a high-tech glass-and-steel structure that covers the arena for winter use.
Bd. des Arènes, Nîmes, Occitania, 30189, France04–66–21–82–56Sight Details
Rate Includes: €10 -
4. Arènes
Rivaled only by the even better-preserved version in Nîmes, the arena dominating old Arles was built in the 1st century AD to seat 21,000 people,...
Rivaled only by the even better-preserved version in Nîmes, the arena dominating old Arles was built in the 1st century AD to seat 21,000 people, with large tunnels through which wild beasts were forced to run into the center. Before being plundered in the Middle Ages, the structure had three stories of 60 arcades each; the four medieval towers are testimony to a transformation from classical sports arena to feudal fortification. Complete restoration of the arena began in 1825. Today it's primarily a venue for the traditional spectacle of the corridas, which take place annually during the féria pascale, or Easter festival. The less bloodthirsty local variant Course Carmarguaise (in which the bull is not killed) also takes place here. Festivities start with the Fête des Gardians on May 1, when the Queen of Arles is crowned, and culminate in early July with the award of the Cocarde d'Or (Golden Rosette) to the most successful raseteur. Tickets are usually available, but be sure to book ahead.
24 bis, Rond Point des Arènes, Arles, Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur, 13200, France04–90–18–41–20-for arena infoSight Details
Rate Includes: €9, includes admission to Théâtre Antique -
5. Caumont Centre d'Art
Part of the Culturespaces network of museums and monuments, this arts center is a jewel in the organization's impressively laden crown and is one of...
Part of the Culturespaces network of museums and monuments, this arts center is a jewel in the organization's impressively laden crown and is one of Aix's top cultural attractions. Given that the center is housed in the glorious Hôtel de Caumont, one of the city's most spectacular 18th-century mansions, it's no wonder that its period rooms are a joy to behold. It hosts two world-class art exhibitions per year in beautifully conceived exhibition spaces (the inaugural show was devoted to Venetian master Canaletto), and there are daily screenings of the film Cézanne in the Aix Region and a series of jazz and classical performances. The elegant gardens have been painstakingly restored to their original 18th-century layout, and visitors can enjoy a drink, light lunch, or dessert in the garden restaurant. The indoor Café Caumont is easily Aix's most elegant.
3 rue Joseph Cabassol, Aix-en-Provence, Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur, 13100, France04--42--20--70--01Sight Details
Rate Includes: From €6.50 -
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6. Château de Lourmarin
Loumarin's Renaissance-era château, which was privately restored in the 1920s to appealing near-perfection, is the town's main draw. The "new" wing (begun in 1526 and...
Loumarin's Renaissance-era château, which was privately restored in the 1920s to appealing near-perfection, is the town's main draw. The "new" wing (begun in 1526 and completed in 1540) is the prettiest, with a broad art collection, rare old furniture, and ornate stone fireplaces—including two with exotic vases canopes (ancient Aztec figure vases). The château also hosts several exhibitions of contemporary art throughout the year and lots of fun activities for kids. In summer, the château hosts a series of highly regarded concerts (check the website for scheduling) on their vast terrace with pretty views of the village.
24 av. Laurent Vibert, Lourmarin, Provence-Alpes-Côte d’Azur, 84160, France04–90–68–15–23Sight Details
Rate Includes: €7, June–Aug., daily 10–6:30; May and Sept., daily 10:30–12:30 and 2:30–6; Mar., Apr., and Oct., daily 10:30–12:30 and 2:30–5; Nov., Dec., and Feb., daily 10:30–12:30 and 2:30–4:30; Jan., weekends 2:30–4:30 (may vary with daylight) -
7. Collection Lambert
Known for the breadth of its collection as well as the scope of its exhibitions, the Lambert is a must-see for contemporary art lovers. Housed...
Known for the breadth of its collection as well as the scope of its exhibitions, the Lambert is a must-see for contemporary art lovers. Housed in two elegant 17th-century mansions, this impressive assembly of contemporary artworks came out of the private collection of Paris art dealer Yvon Lambert, who founded the museum in 2000 in honor of Avignon's designation as European Capital of Culture. Comprising more than 1,200 pieces dating from the 1960s to the present, the Lambert Collection also hosts an influential series of three to four major exhibitions per year, cultural events, lectures, and arts eduction programs independently or in conjunction with other arts institutions worldwide. The foundation closes three months out of the year between new exhibitions, so be sure to check before going. The impressive bookshop carries dozens of original, limited-edition works by artists represented in the collection, including prints by Cy Twombly, Sol LeWitt, and Jenny Holzer, and the breezy courtyard café offers gourmet snacks, beverages, and light lunches under the shade of sleepy plane trees.
5 rue Violette, Avignon, Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur, 84000, France04–90–16–56–20Sight Details
Rate Includes: €10, Closed Mon. Sept.–June -
8. Espace Van Gogh
A strikingly resonant site, this was the hospital to which the tortured artist repaired after cutting off his earlobe. Its courtyard has been impeccably restored...
A strikingly resonant site, this was the hospital to which the tortured artist repaired after cutting off his earlobe. Its courtyard has been impeccably restored and landscaped to match one of Van Gogh's paintings. The cloistered grounds have become something of a shrine for visitors, and there is a photo plaque comparing the renovation to some of the master's paintings, including Le Jardin de la Maison de Santé. The exhibition hall is open for temporary exhibitions; the garden is always on view.
Pl. Dr. Félix Rey, Arles, Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur, 13200, France04–90–18–41–20Sight Details
Rate Includes: Free -
9. Fondation Vasarely
After three decades of neglect, the Centre Pompidou's splendid 2019 retrospective of the father of "op-art" placed Victor Vasarely in his rightful place among the...
After three decades of neglect, the Centre Pompidou's splendid 2019 retrospective of the father of "op-art" placed Victor Vasarely in his rightful place among the great artists of the later 20th century. Whether a fan of the genre or not, a visit to this exhilarating museum, a short drive or bus ride (lines 2 and 20) from Aix center, will delight art fans of all ages. The building itself is an architectural wonder, composed of 16 hexagonal galleries each housing six of the artist's monumental tapestries, mosaics, paintings, or sculptures. Upstairs, a detailed timeline of Vasarely's life and work reveals the versatility and genius of an artist both of and ahead of his time.
1 av. Marcel Pagnol, Provence-Alpes-Côte d’Azur, 13090, France04–42–20–01–09Sight Details
Rate Includes: €12 -
10. Fondation Villa Datris
Housed in an stately Belle Époque mansion set on the river, this vibrant center for contemporary sculpture is among the most respected arts centers in...
Housed in an stately Belle Époque mansion set on the river, this vibrant center for contemporary sculpture is among the most respected arts centers in Provence. Its talented, far-sighted curators scour the European arts scene for ingenious themed shows that mix established names with up-and-coming sculptors. While the shows change only once a year, they are always revelatory, with artwork cleverly installed in every room of the house, including the old shower stalls, the pretty garden, and even from trees hanging over the canal.
7 av. des Quartres Otages, L'Isle-sur-la-Sorgue, Provence-Alpes-Côte d’Azur, France04–90–95–23–70Sight Details
Rate Includes: Free -
11. Jardins de Salagon and Priory
On a site occupied since the Gallo-Roman period, this picturesque 11th- to 12th-century priory—a rich archaeological site classed as a Historic Monument by the French...
On a site occupied since the Gallo-Roman period, this picturesque 11th- to 12th-century priory—a rich archaeological site classed as a Historic Monument by the French Ministry of Culture—presides over 10 acres of themed gardens. The restored priory, with well-preserved Gothic and Romanesque flourishes, now houses an ethnological museum, a testament to the various cultures and peoples of this part of Provence. The garden functions as both a visual delight and a preserve for 2,500 species of plants and flowers native to the region, from ancient times to the present, organized into five themes—like "simple gardens and village plants," which includes field and cultivated plants that were both consumed and used medicinally. There's also a medieval garden, a fragrant garden with benches under the roses and honeysuckle for maximum sensory effect, and a modern "exotic" garden that crosses five continents.
Prieuré de Salagon, Mane, Provence-Alpes-Côte d’Azur, 04300, France04–92–75–70–50Sight Details
Rate Includes: €8, July and Aug., 10–8; May and Sept., 10–7; Feb.–Apr. and Oct.–mid-Dec., 10–6, Closed Tues. -
12. La Filaventure Brun de Vian-Tiran
Through eight generations on the same premises, the Brun de Vian-Tiran family has created France's most beautiful and luxurious woolens from fibers sourced throughout the...
Through eight generations on the same premises, the Brun de Vian-Tiran family has created France's most beautiful and luxurious woolens from fibers sourced throughout the world, including baby camel, cashmere, merino wool, alpaca, and baby llama. Housed in one of their old warehouses, the brand's state-of-the-art museum takes visitors through the process from fiber to fabric in a fun, interactive scenography that's as fun and fascinating for kids as it is for adults. Afterwards, discover what all the fuss is about in their on-site boutique, where you'll find the entire range of luxury bedding and blankets, scarves, slippers, and more, in a collection usually found only at high-end department stores in Paris.
2 cours Victor Hugo, L'Isle-sur-la-Sorgue, Provence-Alpes-Côte d’Azur, 84800, France04–90–38–73–31 -
13. La Maison du Fruit Confit
Known for its lush orchards, Apt still excels at a technique for preserving fresh fruit that dates back to Roman times and was prized by...
Known for its lush orchards, Apt still excels at a technique for preserving fresh fruit that dates back to Roman times and was prized by everyone from the French popes to Madame Sévigné. At this local cooperative, founded in 1962, the old techniques were updated to 20th-century standards. These colorful local fruits preserved in all their sun-ripened glory are a sight to behold, and visitors are allowed to taste for free before buying. Bigarreau cherries from the Luberon are an absolute favorite, but you'll also find Cavaillon watermelons and melons, Provence apricots, figs, plums, pears, and Corsican clementines, as well as kiwi, pineapple, and, of course, candied ginger.
538 Quartier Salignan, Apt, Provence-Alpes-Côte d’Azur, 84400, France04–90–76–31–66Sight Details
Rate Includes: Closed Sun. -
14. Les Halles de Nîmes
Nîmes's central covered market is an excellent spot to stock up on all the gastronomic specialties of the area at its more than 100 stalls:...
Nîmes's central covered market is an excellent spot to stock up on all the gastronomic specialties of the area at its more than 100 stalls: crisp PDO (Protected Designation of Origin) picholine olives and olive oil; anchoïade, a heady mix of anchovys crushed with garlic and olive oil; Pélardons goat cheeses from the Cévennes; and Costières de Nîmes wines (Clairette de Bellegarde, Tavel rosé, and Côtes du Rhône Gardoises, among others). This is also one of the best places in Nîmes to grab a bite at lunchtime. For deeply satisfying regional cuisine— think brandade de morue or taureau with camargue rice—and the convivial company of locals head to Halles Auberge, open every day at lunch.
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15. Luma Arles
The Luma artistic center focuses on the pioneers of contemporary art and culture, bringing together sculpture, painting, dance, philosophy, literature, gastronomy, sustainability, and design. Luma's...
The Luma artistic center focuses on the pioneers of contemporary art and culture, bringing together sculpture, painting, dance, philosophy, literature, gastronomy, sustainability, and design. Luma's several spaces house a rotating series of cutting-edge exhibitions and workshops geared toward art lovers and the curious of all ages, and the Frank Gehry building, a twisting silo sheathed in glittering silver scales that shimmers on the Arles skyline, is spectacular.
45 ch. des Minimes, Arles, Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur, 13200, France04–88–65–83–09 -
16. Mémorial du Débarquement de Provence
This museum is located on the site of a crucial fort perched at the summit of Mont Faron and recounts the planning and execution of...
This museum is located on the site of a crucial fort perched at the summit of Mont Faron and recounts the planning and execution of World War II's Operation Dragoon, a mission meant to resecure the French ports of Marseille and Toulon and cut off German reinforcements. The story unfolds via firsthand accounts in French and English from men and women who fought for the French Resistance, descriptions of life under the occupation, a detailed timeline, and an 11-minute film showing original footage of the August 15, 1944, invasion—and its vast destruction—which was a decisive turning point in the war.
8488 Rte. du Faron, Toulon, Provence-Alpes-Côte d’Azur, 83200, France04–94–88–08–09 -
17. Musée d'Histoire de Marseille
Vieux PortWith the Port Antique in front, this modern, open-space museum illuminates Massalia's history with a treasure trove of archaeological finds and miniature models of the...
With the Port Antique in front, this modern, open-space museum illuminates Massalia's history with a treasure trove of archaeological finds and miniature models of the city as it appeared in various stages of history. Best by far is the presentation of Marseille's Classical halcyon days. There's a recovered wreck of a Roman cargo boat, its 3rd-century wood amazingly preserved, and the hull of a Greek boat dating to the 4th century BC. The model of the Greek city should be authentic—it's based on an eyewitness description by Aristotle.
2 rue Henri Barbrusse, Marseille, Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur, 13001, France04–91–55–36–00Sight Details
Rate Includes: From €6, Closed Mon. -
18. Musée de la Romanité
The newest museum in Nîmes is impossible to miss: first for its location just opposite the Arènes and second for its exterior—a gleaming translucent facade...
The newest museum in Nîmes is impossible to miss: first for its location just opposite the Arènes and second for its exterior—a gleaming translucent facade meant to evoke a Roman toga. This luminous edifice finally gives Roman Nîmes its due, highlighting the evolution of the town's Roman past with more than 5,000 artifacts. The museum's high-tech scenography includes touch screens, interactive displays, scale models of Nîme's Roman sites, and other state-of-the art features that will delight both adults and kids. Highlights include intact mosaics discovered in Nîmes during recent excavations, a model of a domus (Roman house), and a green roof with panoramic views of the amphitheater and all the city's major sites. The sidewalk café is great for a quick lunch or drink, but the restaurant upstairs—with impressive views—is a sit-down affair.
16 bd. des Arènes, Nîmes, Occitania, 30900, France04–48–21–02–10Sight Details
Rate Includes: €12, Closed Tues. -
19. Musée des Beaux-Arts
The centerpiece of this early-20th-century building, stunningly refurbished by architect Jean-Michel Wilmotte, is a vast ancient mosaic depicting a marriage ceremony that provides intriguing insights...
The centerpiece of this early-20th-century building, stunningly refurbished by architect Jean-Michel Wilmotte, is a vast ancient mosaic depicting a marriage ceremony that provides intriguing insights into the lifestyle of Roman aristocrats. Also in the varied collection are seven paintings devoted to Cleopatra by 18th-century Nîmes-born painter Natoire Italian, plus some fine Flemish, Dutch, and French works (notably Rubens's Portrait of a Monk and Giambono's The Mystic Marriage of St. Catherine).
23 rue de la Cite Foulc, Nîmes, Occitania, 30000, France04–66–76–71–82Sight Details
Rate Includes: €5, Closed Mon. -
20. Musée Granet
Once the École de Dessin (Art School) that granted Cézanne a second-place prize in 1856, the former priory of the Église St-Jean-de-Malte now showcases eight...
Once the École de Dessin (Art School) that granted Cézanne a second-place prize in 1856, the former priory of the Église St-Jean-de-Malte now showcases eight of Cézanne's paintings, as well as a nice collection of his watercolors and drawings. Also hanging in the galleries are 300 works by Bonnard, Picasso, Klee, Rubens, David, and Giacometti.
Pl. St-Jean-de-Malte, Aix-en-Provence, Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur, 13100, France04–42–52–88–32Sight Details
Rate Includes: From €6, Closed Mon.
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