Page 31 - (DK Eyewitness) Travel Guide - Provence & The Côte d'Azur

A POR TR AIT OF PROVENCE  29

Late Middle Ages
(13th–16th Centuries)
Feuding and religious wars led
to people withdrawing to towns,
protected by fortified walls and gates.
Communication between houses
was often by underground passages.
Streets were roughly paved and water
and sewage were carried away by Tour de la Campana in the Palais des
a central gutter. Papes (see pp48–9)

Crenellation or
battlements
Street in St-Martin-Vésubie (see p99)
showing central gutter
Aigues-Mortes (see pp138–9)
was built by Louis IX in the
Portcullis used 13th century, according to
against invaders a strict grid pattern. This
strategically placed fort
overlooks both sea and land.
Classical Architecture
(17th–18th Centuries) Tablet with
The severity and order of the symbol of
authority
Classical style was relieved by
elaborate carvings on doorways Refined
and windows. Gardens became stone
more formal and symmetrical.
Carved Regency
doorway Neo-Classical
pillar

The Musée du Palais de
l’Archevêché in Aix (see
The 17th-century Barbentane château, p152) has elaborately carved Pavillon de Vendôme detail,
fronted by formal gardens (see p134) wooden entrance doors. Aix-en-Provence (see p153)
Modern Architecture
(1890–Present Day)
The magnificent hotels and villas
of the belle époqueépoqueé have given
way to more utilitarian housing
and public buildings. But the
numerous modern art galleries Le Corbusier’s Cité Radieuse (see p156)
represent the highest standards
of 20th-century architecture.
Rounded Cupola above
pavilion a round corner
tower
The Musée d’Art
Moderne et d’Art
Contemporain in Nice
(see p89) is made up of
square towers, linked by
The palatial Négresco hotel in Nice (see p88) glass passageways.