Page 133 - (DK Eyewitness) Travel Guide - Provence & The Côte d'Azur

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BOUCHES-DU-RHÔNE

AND NÎMES

This southwestern corner of provence has a feel that’s unique
in the region. It is the land of van Gogh, brightly patterned van Gogh, brightly patterned v
materials and beaches of shifting sands. Its wildest
point is the camargue in the rhône delta, a place of
light and colour, lived in for centuries by gypsies and
by cowboys who herd the wild horses and bulls.

Many inland towns reflect the region’s (see p146) during the 13th century.
Greek and Roman past. The Greeks first Louis IX (Saint Louis) built the fortified
settled in France circa 600 BC and founded city of Aigues­Mortes for the Crusaders.
Marseille, now a cosmopolitan cultural In the 15th century, Good King René
centre and the country’s second largest (see pp50–51), held his court in the castle
city. The Romans, who arrived after them, of Tarascon and in Aix­en­Provence, the
built the theatre at Arles and the amphi­ ancient capital of Provence. Aix’s uni­
theatre at Nîmes, and left the remains of versity, founded by René’s father in 1409,
Classical houses at the archaeological site is still the hub of this lively student town.
of Glanum. The skeleton of a Roman The area provides great walks and
aqueduct runs beween a spring at Uzès stunning scenery, particularly in the
to a water tower at Nîmes, a great feat of Alpilles and around Marseille. The films
engineering best seen at Pont du Gard. and books of Marcel Pagnol (see 157) and
“A race of eagles” is how Frédéric the stories of Daudet (see p147), which
Mistral, the Provençal writer (see p32) have influenced perceptions of Provençal
described the Lords of Baux, bloodthirsty people and life, are set in this region.
warriors who ruled in the Middle Ages The Camargue maintains a unique
from an extraordinary eyrie in Les Baux­ collection of flora and fauna, providing,
de­Provence. This former fief was in addition to fine vistas, superb horse
paradoxically famous as a Court of Love riding and bird­watching.

Produce on display in the colourful food market, Aix-en-Provence
Hiking in the Sormiou calanque, one of the many inlets between Marseille and Cassis