Few things are as romantic as enjoying new experiences together, and that includes discovering new sights. A South of France vacation can be made even more memorable through visits to historic spots and cultural sites.
Medieval Wonders in the South of France
Plan on stopping at medieval towns that dot the countryside of Provence. These charming villages, with centuries-old stone buildings crowded along curving cobblestone walkways, are still lively centers for residents and shopkeepers, making them fun to explore hand-in-hand.
Many are small, like the picturesque village of Eze, a short drive from Nice. Winding your way through the narrow streets brings you to the Jardin Exotique , where 360-degrees of breathtaking views await.
Les Baux also looks as if it sprang from the pages of a storybook. At the top of a hill, visitors can tromp through the remains of a medieval castle and watch a film on Van Gogh, Gauguin, and Cezanne, who so magnificently captured the surrounding countryside on canvas.
Vaison la Romaine offers another chance to step back in time to the Middle Ages, weaving along cobblestone walkways to discover tiny public squares and picture-perfect fountains. Meanwhile, the austere stone buildings of monasteries like the Abbey of Thoronet demonstrate the simple lifestyle of medieval monks.
Perhaps the best-known medieval walled city is Avignon. During the 14th century, Avignon was the home of seven popes, and the huge stone Palace of the Popes still stands. This awe-inspiring structure aside, Avignon is a lively city packed with shops, cafés, and a colorful indoor market, Les Halles, with a delectable selection of cheeses, breads, fish, and fresh produce.
A Peek at France’s Roman Past
A South of France vacation tempts couples to step even further back in time. More than 2,000 years ago, the Romans ruled this region, and ruins of their amazingly advanced civilization are still on display.
Nimes is the home of a tremendous arena built around 100 A.D. and used for spectacles.
Vaison la Romaine contains the remains of what were two luxurious residences during Roman times, as well as the ruins of a theater. The town also features a fascinating antiquities museum. Orange also has the remains of a Roman theater, along with an imposing arch.
The Pont du Gard, a gigantic aqueduct built by the Romans, originally stretched 30 miles. Today, its tremendous size and somewhat quirky museum – one that focuses on the history of water and plumbing – make it a popular destination for locals as well as tourists.
Art in the South of France
Many fine artists found inspiration in the beauty of Provence and the Cote d’Azur. The region is home to three art museums, each one a tribute to a genius who created some of his most impressive work in the area.
In addition to a port filled with luxurious yachts, the seaside city of Antibes is home to the Picasso Museum. Picasso lived in the building — a castle, the Chateau Grimaldi — in 1946. Today the museum houses his work along with exhibitions by other noted artists. The blue waters of the Mediterranean serve as a breathtaking backdrop for Picasso's sculptures outdoors.
The Chagall Museum in Nice contains an impressive collection of the artist’s paintings. The Matisse Museum, also in Nice, contains the well-loved Fauve's paintings and sculptures. Next door is a Franciscan monastery with scenic gardens that offer a perfect spot for a romantic picnic for two, as well as unparalleled views of the city.
Matisse’s artistry is also celebrated at the white-walled Chapel of the Rosary in Vence, which he designed to thank the Dominican sister who served as his nurse. His distinctive style is seen in the building’s stained-glass windows.
While no actual van Gogh museum exists in the South of France, the tormented artist covered hundreds of canvases in Arles, where the gardens he painted have been recreated and easels have been set up around the quaint medieval town to show where he stood while he made some of his best-known works.
Van Gogh also lived in St. Remy-de-Provence, known for its two Renaissance chateaux. St. Remy’s Centre d’Art Presence Vincent Van Gogh contains documents from his life, as well as a film about the great but tormented artist.
Distinctive Regional Museums
Other towns also feature museums that provide a peek into the local culture. In Grasse, the world’s perfume center, visitors can learn how perfume is made at Fragonard Parfumeur, while a museum dedicated to lavender, Musée de Lavande in St-Remese, contains old tools used to create perfume and a botanical garden.
Isle sur la Sorge has a small Antique Toy and Doll Museum. There’s even a shoe museum, Musée International de la Chaussure in Romans, which covers the artistic and practical aspects of footwear throughout history.
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