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Page 1 of 3  | | Abbey Senanque with lavender field |
Provence, the region in south-east of France, is one of the most loved French department for its pleasant climate, many sport activities as hiking, kayaking, and for its green wilderness areas, delicious fruits, exquisite specialties, and fine wines. Provence already attracted painters (e.g. van Gogh, Cezanne) for its blue sky, violet lavender fields, and colorful facades of Provencal houses. The landscape is typical with its lush vineyards, olive groves, hilltop villages and the walled medieval city. Everywhere it smells of lavender, thyme, rosemary, and Provencal herbs.
 | | Aix-en-Provence Cathedral |
Driving from the French Riviera, the first city is Aix-en-Provence, the typical Provencal city with picturesque streets, houses, restaurants and cafes. Here the post-impressionist Paul Cezanne was born. Aix is also a home of art schools and several universities. Aix is also ancient Celtic-Ligurian capital from the 3rd century BC. The center of Aix is the old town, ringed by a circle of boulevards and squares. It's a small-enough area to explore by foot, but there's way too much to see in one day. The medieval Aix was protected by a wall with 39 towers. Today only the 14th century "Tourreluquo" tower remains, at the northwest corner of the town. | | Pont D'Avignon and Pope's Palace |
Medieval city Avignon lies about 43miles north-west of Aix-en-Provence (main road A7). Avignon is famous due the well-loved children's song "Sur Le Pont D'Avignon". Romanesque famous bridge Pont D'Avignon or Pont Saint Benezet was built during the 12th century, linking Avignon to Villeneuve-lez-Avignon. According to legend, the young herdsman Benedict Benezet heard divine voices bidding him to build the bridge. It was originally 3,000 feet long with 22 arches and crossed the two arms of the Rhone River. The frequent high waters destroyed the bridge in 1669 and it was no re-built.
 | | Palais des Popes |
The major monument, which dominates the city, is incontestably the Pope's Palace (The Palais des Papes), recently classified as one of UNESCO World Heritage monuments. In 1309 French Pope Clement V was elected head of the Catholic Church. His Holiness changed residence from Italy to peaceful Avignon. The popes lived in the Palais des Papes until 1377, when there arose the Great Schism, and the Catholic Church was divided. From this time onwards there were two Popes, one in Rome, one here, until 1417. The beautiful medieval Papal palace, the biggest Gothic Palace in the world, was built sometime in the 14th century atop a hill to serve as residence, fortress, and church. You can explore the massive Palace, or just look around the ramparts and hear the music in the main square Place du Palais.
 Chateauneuf-du-Pape, a medieval village 11 miles from Avignon known due to the world's best delicious wine, rise on the side of a hill, guarded by the ruins of an ancient chateau towering above. From the chateau hill you have an outstanding view in all directions, mostly of vineyards, of course. The village streets are narrow, curving around the hillside or climbing up and down between the old houses. The name of city “Chateauneuf-du-Pape” means the Pope's new house", because the Popes of Avignon built the summer palace here.
 | | Roman Theater in Orange |
18 miles to the north of Avignon and 6 miles from Chateauneuf-du-Pape is situated the ancient capital of Provence – Orange (main road A7), the city full of Roman sights included to the UNESCO World Heritage Site list. A main attraction in Orange is magnificent Roman Theater, world's best preserved theater of antiquity and the largest theater in Roman Gaul. Triumphal Arch La Porte Auguste (the Roman Gate), once part of the longest city walls in Gaul, was built between 10 and 25 AD.
 | | Arene in Nimes |
In Nimes you find the most impressive Roman remains, the Maison Carree and the arena (Les Arenes). The Arena, 436 feet long and 69 feet high,  | | The Roman Temple |
has two levels, each with 60 arches. It was completed around the end of the 1st century AD and it could squeeze in excess of twenty thousand spectators. The theatre is used for operas and concerts during the summer festival. The Roman Temple, known as the Maison Carre, is only completely preserved Roman temple. The Maison Carre has harmonious proportions, elegant slender columns with Corinthian capitals and architectural decoration of great finesse. In a raised position on a high base, it dominated the forum of the Roman town. Nimes is where Levi Strauss discovered the ideal cloth for making jeans - hence the word “denim” which means “De Nimes”. The source of Perrier water is a few miles to the south-west of Nimes.
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