Page 16 - (DK Eyewitness) Travel Guide - Provence & The Côte d'Azur

14  INTRODUCING PROVENCE

A Week Along Day 3: Avignon the mini-mountain chain of Les
the Rhône Pick a day from the city itinerary Alpilles (p145) and the citadel of
on p12. Les Baux-de-Provence (p146),
• Duration 7 days – with once the medieval setting of
additional suggestions To extend your trip… the troubadour Court of Love;
to extend it to 10 days. Hire a car and take a day trip the views are wonderful.
• Airports Arrive at and to Fontaine-de-Vaucluse
depart from Marseille (p169) 33 km (20 miles) east Day 6: St-Gilles-du-Gard
Provence Airport. of Avignon; the hill town and Aigues Mortes
• Transport This tour can be of Gordes (p173), Abbaye Along with its iconic white
made using a combination de Sénanque (p168) and horses, black bulls and pink
of trains and buses, although Roussillon (p173) are nearby. flamingoes, the Camargue
hiring a car would allow (pp140–43) has several
more flexibility. fascinating historic sites. Begin
Day 4: Pont du Gard, Nîmes, at St-Gilles-du-Gard (p143) and
Beaucaire and Tarascon the magnificent Romanesque
Cross the Rhône to visit façade of the Abbaye de
Day 1: Marseille antiquity’s most beautiful St-Gilles, then head south
A day is just enough to scratch aqueduct – the majestic Pont to explore the unique 13th-
the surface of Marseille (pp154– du Gard (p135), before moving century walled crusader town
6). Start in the picturesque Vieux on to the city it served, Nîmes of Aigues-Mortes (pp138–9).
Port, with its morning fish market (pp136–7). Don’t miss the
and the Abbaye de St-Victor. amphitheatre, Les Arènes, the Day 7: Arles
Enjoy the spectacular views from Maison Carrée – a well-preserved France’s “Little Rome”, Arles
Notre-Dame-de-la-Garde, and Roman temple – and the (pp148–9) boasts both an
visit the Palais Longchamp, with Castellum, where the aqueduct’s ancient theatre and amphi-
its fine arts collection. Stroll the water was distributed. Head theatre, the Thermes de
Canebière before tucking into back to the Rhône, where the Constantin and the intriguing
bouillabaisse for dinner. medieval castles of Beaucaire Musée de l’Arles Antique. Also
(p143) (famous for its bullfights) visit the cloisters of the church
and Tarascon (p144) (known of St-Trophime, Les Alychamps
for its Tarasque and Souleïado cemetery and the Espace Van
fabrics) face each other across Gogh, with exhibits relating to
the river. the painter’s sojourn in Arles.
Day 5: St-Rémy-de-Provence To extend your trip…
and Les Baux-de-Provence Uncover the history of
St-Rémy-de-Provence (p144) the Carmargue in the
is one of Provence’s most Musée de la Camargue
attractive towns, and was (p143); spot birds at the
frequently painted by Van Parc Ornithologique du
Gogh. Take a walk out to the Pont-de-Gau (p142) and
Diners enjoying bouillabaisse at the Clinique St-Paul to see some visit the Romany pilgrimage
Miramar Restaurant, Marseille’s Vieux Port views painted by Van Gogh, church at lively Saintes-
and the nearby ruins of Greco- Maries-de-la-Mer (p142).
To extend your trip… Roman Glanum. Next, head into
Take a boat trip and swim
in Marseille’s dramatic Les
Calanques (p157). Visit the
wine town of Cassis (p157).

Day 2: Orange and
Châteauneuf-du-Pape
Take the train to Orange
(pp165–7) to visit its incom-
parable Roman Théâtre Antique,
scene of summer theatre and
dance festivals, and the well-
preserved Arc de Triomphe. In
the afternoon, head south to
Châteauneuf-du-Pape (p168)
for a tasting of the famous
wines before dinner. Roman sarcophagus or tombs showing boar hunters, Musée de l’Arles Antique, Arles
For practical information on travelling around Provence, see pp244–53