15 Well-known Issues to Do within the South of France ~ DownshiftingPRO
Idyllic, glitzy, filled with appeal, and blessed with wonderful climate, the South of France is considered one of Europe’s hottest journey locations.
Numerous guests descend on this well-known a part of the nation yearly, wanting to expertise its breathtaking landscapes, pristine seashores, rustic rural villages, historic monuments, and luxurious resorts.
However what are the very best issues to do within the South of France? What are its most unmissable points of interest and scintillating sights? Listed below are 15 well-known choices on your itinerary.
1. Carcassonne
Few places in southern France are as hanging or iconic as Carcassonne. This fortified medieval metropolis is a UNESCO World Heritage Website with 2,500 years of historical past behind it.
Visiting Carcassonne is as shut as you may get to stepping again into the Center Ages. It seems like one thing from a fairytale. Numerous towers joined by big ramparts dominate a hill above the river Aude. Inside is a maze of slender cobblestone streets and stone buildings constructed eons in the past. It’s a magical place and an absolute should for historical past buffs.
2. Saint-Tropez
Saint-Tropez is likely one of the French Riviera’s most well-known locations. As soon as a quaint seaside city, it hit the journey scene after being featured in a 1956 Roger Vadim film known as And God Created Girl, starring Brigitte Bardot. Lately, Saint-Tropez is a glamorous place frequented by celebs and famend for its yachts and seashore golf equipment.
You don’t should be a millionaire to understand it, although! Saint-Tropez’s seashore, Previous Port, Seventeenth-century citadel, seashore bars, and charming previous city make it nice for every thing from babymoons to household getaways.
3. Good
Nestled on the southeastern coast not removed from the Italian border, Good is a well-liked trip vacation spot on the Cote d’Azur. Like most locations within the South of France, the surroundings is gorgeous. Clear azure waters lap Good’s sandy shoreline, and mountains stand tall within the distance behind it.
This can be a sprawling trendy metropolis, however its previous city packs loads of appeal. Anticipate terracotta roofs and slender winding streets, with markets, squares, and colourful centuries-old buildings. The meals is incredible, the solar cloaks every thing in a heat golden gentle, and there’s tons to do.
4. Palais des Papes
The magnificent but austere Palais des Papes is a 14th-century palace and fortress in Avignon that 9 completely different popes as soon as known as residence. Its cultural significance isn’t the one cause to go to, although!
The sheer scale of the Palais des Papes makes it price seeing. With 15,000 sq. meters of flooring house, it’s the largest Gothic palace on the planet — to not point out one of the vital essential. Together with the remainder of Avignon’s historic heart, it grew to become a UNESCO World Heritage Website in 1995.
5. Gordes
Welcome to considered one of southern France’s most aesthetically pleasing locations. Gordes is situated on a hilltop 1,115 toes (340 meters) above sea stage within the Provence-Alpes-Cote d’Azur area. Within the foothills of the Vaucluse Mountains, its distinctive limestone buildings take pleasure in panoramic views and have a fascinating maze of cobblestone streets between them.
The village was based within the eleventh century round its spectacular chateau, which is likely one of the major points of interest and is now a museum. In any other case, you’ll be able to spend many comfortable hours merely strolling round this historic village, respiratory within the recent Provencal air, and soaking within the native ambiance.
6. Abbaye Notre-Dame de Sénanque
Should you do discover Gordes in your journey to the South of France, you’ll want to drive about 3 miles (5 km) north to this unbelievable Twelfth-century Cistercian abbey, too. It’s one of many space’s most well-known points of interest — and for good cause.
It’s not fairly often you’ll be able to go to a 900-year-old abbey that’s nonetheless inhabited by monks and surrounded by picture-perfect lavender fields all through summer time! Abbaye Notre-Dame de Sénanque is spectacularly photogenic and value seeing in the event you’re within the space.
7. Aix-en-Provence
Aix-en-Provence is a small metropolis situated simply north of Marseille. It’s a college city with a sunny disposition, youthful buzz, and bougie vibe. Vacationers flock right here, nevertheless it doesn’t really feel overrun with them.
Actually — to me, not less than — Aix-en-Provence feels quintessentially French. The Baroque structure, bustling city squares, and stylish cobblestone streets lined with outlets, eating places, cafes, and bars ooze a particular appeal discovered all over the place within the South of France.
8. Menton
Situated subsequent to the Italian border on the south coast, Menton is one other French Riviera vacation spot with oodles of Mediterranean attraction. The structure is nearly as spectacular because the climate, the ocean begs to be swum in, the mountainous panorama makes its surroundings much more exceptional, and the pastel-colored previous city is a pleasure to discover.
Should you time your journey proper, you may additionally expertise the Fete du Citron. The colourful “Lemon Competition” is an annual celebration of spring’s arrival and the manufacturing of citrus fruits, of which Menton is known.
9. Cannes
Whereas this glitzy French Riviera metropolis is synonymous with the Cannes Movie Competition these days, that’s removed from its solely attract. Its charming previous city, lovely structure, luxurious vibe, and sunny seashores make Cannes one other worthwhile place to go to in southern France.
That’s significantly true in case you have a style for the finer issues in life! With loads of five-star accommodations, world-class eating places, and designer shops, this glamorous vacation spot caters effectively to the ultra-wealthy.
10. Pont du Gard
France is famend for its immense pure magnificence. However its historical past is equally wealthy and various. In order for you a style of its Roman previous, look no additional than the mighty Pont du Gard, situated simply west of Avignon.
This immense, quintessential Roman aqueduct dates to the primary century AD. Nonetheless, it’s so well-preserved it may have been made not too long ago. Pont du Gard stands virtually 164 toes (50 meters) tall and is on three ranges, the longest of which spans 902 toes (275 meters). It grew to become a UNESCO World Heritage Website in 1985.
11. Nîmes
2,000 years in the past, Nîmes was a distinguished Roman city situated on the famed Through Domitia. a map of Italy, Spain, and southern France, this historic highway weaved its approach northeast from the Spanish border and thru Nîmes earlier than crossing the Alps at Col de Montgenèvre.
The Romans truly constructed the Pont du Gard as a part of an aqueduct that transported water over 30 miles (50 km) to the town. Different remnants of Nîmes’ Roman previous embody an amphitheater, the Maison Carrée, and the temple of Diana — all high points of interest in a surprising and fewer touristy a part of southern France.
12. Arles
Speaking of historic ruins, Arles is one other vacationer favourite within the South of France, famend for its Roman heritage. It has an enormous and evocative amphitheater, a theatre, a necropolis, and the Constantine baths, amongst others. This assortment of Roman ruins helped Arles’s metropolis heart earn UNESCO World Heritage standing in 1981.
Arles can also be identified for its connection to 2 notorious artists, Vincent Van Gogh and Picasso. Each hung out within the metropolis, which is prominently featured in a number of of their works.
13. The Camargue
The Camargue is a large wetland space situated simply south of Arles. It deserves a spot in your South of France itinerary in the event you love the outside. There are seashores, mountaineering trails, and biking routes, and the fauna and flora listed below are lovely and various.
By way of wildlife, you’ll see the area’s emblematic pink flamingos, black bulls, and white horses. At sure occasions of 12 months, you may additionally witness lots of of 1000’s of migrating birds.
14. Gorges du Verdon (Verdon Gorge)
Pure landmarks in southern France don’t get far more breathtaking than the 15.5-mile-long, 2,300-foot-deep Verdon Gorge. Its sheer cliffs and turquoise waters make it supremely photogenic, to not point out a really perfect place to chill off on a scorching summer time day.
This complete area is one other haven for outside and excessive sports activities fanatics. You possibly can hike, rock climb, kayak, raft, and paraglide till your coronary heart’s content material. For the traditional photograph of Verdon Gorge you will have seen on-line, head to the Pont de Galetas (Galetas Bridge).
15. Plateau de Valensole Lavender Fields
When most individuals image the South of France, they both think about the sun-drenched coast of the French Riviera or fields of lavender swaying within the breeze. Determined to see the latter in actual life? Among the best locations for it’s close to the Verdon Gorge on the Plateau de Valensole.
Go to between mid-June and mid-July, and also you’ll see an ocean of this sweet-smelling flower stretching in neat rows to the horizon. It’s an epic, postcard-worthy sight that belongs in a Vincent van Gogh portray.
Benefit from the Finest Issues To Do within the South of France
There’s an excellent cause why the South of France is considered one of Europe’s hottest trip locations. It doesn’t disappoint! Whether or not strolling via lavender fields, getting misplaced in a hilltop village’s maze of cobbled streets, exploring medieval fortresses, swimming in clear blue waters, or sipping cocktails at a seashore bar, that is France at its most interesting.
There are such a lot of issues to see and do this it’s inconceivable to tick every thing off in a single journey. Hopefully, this listing of concepts will show you how to plan an itinerary filled with the sights and actions you’re most enthusiastic about.
This text initially appeared on Journey Binger.
Danny Newman (Visitor Submit)
Danny Newman is a digital nomad from the UK who has been writing and travelling his approach world wide for the final six years. Alongside his work as a contract author, Danny’s the founding father of journey and life-style web site,What’s Danny Doing, in addition to the information, life-style and leisure web site,Clever Wholesome n Rich.
