3 Best Sights in Provence, France

The remarkable single-arch Roman bridge, built in the 1st century, stands firm across the Ouvèze River.

Legend has it that the 12th-century Pont St-Bénezet—featured in the song “Sur le Pont d’Avignon" (l'on y danse, l’on y danse)—was built after a shepherd boy received orders from heaven. There’s less space for dancing today: although this UNESCO World Heritage site once stretched all the way to Villeneuve, less than four of its original 22 arches remain. It's also a bit narrow for dancing "tous en rond" (round and round), and, besides, the traditional place for dance and play was under the arches. You can, however, climb along its high platform for broad views of the Old Town ramparts. The ticket price includes an audio guide or tablet, and the latter (for which you'll need to show your passport or driver’s license) illustrates how the bridge appeared in medieval times.

He immortalized many everyday objects and captured views still seen today, but Van Gogh's famous painting of the Langlois Bridge over the Canal d'Arles à Bouc—on the southern outskirts of Arles, about 3 km (2 miles) from the old town—seems to strike a particular chord among locals. Bombed in World War II, the bridge has been restored to its former glory. It's one of the 10 sites on the city's Van Gogh Circuit.