The coolest route around Provence by car in 1 day! July 24th, 2015


The route is quite simple, and can start not only from the city of Castellana. You can stay in any city Cote d'Azur: Nice, Cannes or my favorite Menton. You just need to leave early in any case, since the route is quite busy and intense.

You can also finish not in Avignon, but in some other city. But Avignon is one of the most interesting places in Provence, the "Papal City" with one of the largest medieval buildings in the world - the impressively powerful Papal Palace. And for those who love more province, I highly recommend stopping in the village of Les Baux-de-Provence, instead of Avignon, and this will not affect the travel time in any way. At the end of the route, after the abbey, Les Baux-de-Provence is the same distance as Avignon, but this village is simply a stunning place and is home to the most visited castle in France.

The route is divided into two parts, the first is Verdon Gorge, village of Moutiers-Sainte-Marie and lavender fields .

Here is the area with the gorge in more detail.

The first views begin already from the intersection of D925 and D955, and from the village of La Palud-sur-Verdon the Cretan road D23 begins. This is a serpentine road and you need to drive along it clockwise (as shown on the map), because... the second half is completely one-sided. The culmination is somewhere in the middle of the Cretan road (the title photo of the post), but further ones also open up interesting views, all the way to Lake Sainte-Croix. More photographs of the gorge in a separate section.

Immediately after, we are greeted by Lake Sainte-Croix, where you can go for a swim if you wish.

Next we will have a stop in a village Moutiers-Sainte-Marie(Moustiers-Sainte-Marie).

Here we will have lunch and we can work up a little appetite by going upstairs (262 steps) to the chapel of Notre-Dame de Beaubourg.

And, of course, have lunch. For lunch, I recommend Bistrot provencal La Treille Muscate (located on Place de l'eglise, Google finds it by name), a real French restaurant with local cuisine and a touchy cook if you suddenly order the meat above medium doneness. Only one caveat - they only speak English there -French You can reserve a table by mail [email protected], or by phone +33 4 92 74 64 31. Incredibly tasty.

Next we go to Lavender fields, on the road D8 or D6. There will also be lavender fields after Valensole along the D6, up to Manosque, but less frequently.

I really liked the photos of lavender fields trasyy , I give one photo.

The most important thing is not beautiful view, and the smell. But you can see and smell them only from mid-late June to early August. A best time- It's the beginning of July.

The second part of the route is beautiful road through Serest (no need to stop there) and between villages Lacoste(Lacoste) and Proud(Gordes), where on the sides of the road there will be vineyards, gardens, ancient stone walls. And at the top of Lacoste there is a castle where the Marquis De Sade once lived.

The last section of the route is larger.

Lacoste(Lacoste) and Proud(Gordes) are very pretty villages, representing the quintessence of an idyllic Provençal village with ancient stone streets, surrounded by flowers, and stunning panoramas of the surrounding valley.

And the last stop, right after Gordes, is Abbey of Senank(Librairie de l'Abbaye de Sénanque), founded in 1148, where there is also a large lavender field.

To go along the route, all you have to do is print out this post (namely, screenshots of Google maps) and go ahead. In general, the route can be divided into two days, then you will have more free time to walk. Before traveling, I recommend reading my

There is probably no person who would not dream of visiting Provence. The imagination conjures idyllic pictures with blooming lavender fields and azure sea, and the air, even in fantasy, seems to be light, warm and smelling amazing. The most amazing thing about all this is that this is actually true. Arriving in Provence, tourists encounter exactly what their imagination creates at home. And it was exactly the same for us! Provence is definitely a place you want to return to.

First of all, it is worth noting that today’s Provence differs from its namesake historical region. In addition to it, this includes part of the Languedoc and the Alps. It is a picturesque, diverse and charming region that captivates the hearts of a variety of travelers because it has everything to offer: from beach holidays to an abundance of attractions, from lively cosmopolitan towns to quiet, almost deserted villages, from luxurious vineyards to high mountains. Within Provence there are several official departments and even more unofficial districts. There are debates about the same Cote d'Azur: what should be considered it - the territory defined by documents from San Rafael to the border with Italy or the entire French Riviera.

It is complex, multi-layered, unusual and, without a doubt, the most attractive region of France. That’s probably why traveling along it became so interesting for us.

How to get there

Everyone can get to Provence possible ways, it all depends on where exactly you want to go and how much time you are willing to spend on the road.

You can fly here by plane or by train (for example, from, or other cities in France), you can come by bus, taxi, rented car, go on a sea voyage from anywhere else in Europe and come to one of the many ports - the possibilities are unlimited!

Before visiting Provence, we traveled for a couple of weeks to other regions and cities of France, so we considered the most convenient flight from Lyon to.

By plane

You can fly to Provence at several airports:

  • Cote d'Azur (Nice Cote d'Azur);
  • Marseille Provence;
  • Nîmes-Ales-Camargue-Cevennes.

Some tourists get to Provence by land from Lyon-Saint-Exupéry airport (it seems that the name alone makes these air gate worth a visit, although the airport itself is very good).

Flights with transfers in Paris or other European cities are often more convenient and cheaper. They fly from Russia to Provence Aeroflot, AirFrance, KLM, Lufthansa and other airlines.

From Moscow and St. Petersburg to Nice

The cheapest way to get from Moscow to Nice is to buy such a flight for 95 EUR one way. Tickets from St. Petersburg are traditionally more expensive: from 150 EUR, but sometimes you can find profitable options with departure from Riga or Tallinn.

Travel time to direct flight- about 4 hours.

Flights to other cities in Provence are usually less convenient and more expensive, but I would advise you to look at everything before purchasing possible options, because sometimes there are unexpectedly pleasant discounts. You can get acquainted with all possible and convenient flight options, for example.

How to get there from Nice airport

Since most guests fly to Nice airport and begin their journey through Provence from this point, I’ll tell you how to get from there to the city:

  1. Airport buses. Officially, there are two buses from the airport: No. 98 and No. 99. The first goes to the Gare de Nice-Riquier station, and the second to Gare Nice Ville (this is the central station). The fare costs 6 EUR, and the ticket can be bought at the box office. The drive is short - about 15 minutes. Buses are usually equipped special shelves for luggage directly in the cabin.
  2. But there is one trick. The fact is that he is passing by the airport two city buses: No. 23 or No. 500. Travel to them costs 1.5 EUR, but to get to their stop, you need to leave the airport not following the signs for the bus, but to where the taxis stop. This option is convenient for those traveling without luggage. Buses go directly to the center of Nice, but do not stop at the train station!
  3. You can also go to Taxi, since the distance is only 7 kilometers, the trip will cost about 30 EUR.
  4. Car rental. For those planning to explore Provence by car, it makes sense to rent one right at the airport. The cost of renting at the airport does not differ in price from renting in the city (from 60 EUR/day), but if you want to rent a car immediately upon arrival, it is better to book in advance, since the transport at the airport is usually quickly dismantled. This is best done by familiarizing yourself with all the rental companies' offers.

By train

From Moscow and St. Petersburg

There is a direct train from the capital to Nice twice a week. Train No. 17B departs on Thursdays, and No. 18B on Saturdays. In Moscow the train leaves from the Belarusian station and arrives in Nice at Central station(Gare de Nice-Ville). The travel time will be about 47 hours, the train travels through Russia, Belarus, Poland, the Czech Republic, Austria, Italy and France. A ticket for an adult costs from 295 to 1,039 EUR. For those traveling in luxury carriages, it is more profitable to travel together and buy an entire compartment. Children receive a 50% discount, and those who are from 12 to 25 years old or over 60 travel with a 30% discount.

Along the way, passengers can get off at two other stations in Provence:

  • in Monaco,
  • in Menton.

Direct trains to Provence from St. Petersburg No, but residents of the Northern capital can travel with a transfer in Moscow.

From French cities

If you are traveling around France, then from many cities you can get to Provence by high speed trains TGV There are train stations in all major cities region:

  • in Marseille,
  • Nice,
  • Avignon,
  • Saint Raphael, etc.

In addition, Provence has a well-developed regional railway network, which can be used to reach even the tiniest stations.

By bus

From Moscow

If you want to travel from Moscow to Nice by bus, you will have to make at least two changes. Most quick option with transfers in Minsk and Milan will take you about 50 hours and 200 EUR. In the capital, buses start from Belorussky railway station, and in Nice they come to Avenue Felix Faure.

From Saint-Petersburg

But from Vitebsky Station in St. Petersburg you can get to Nice with just one change in Augustow, Poland, although the journey will take as much as 58 hours! The cost of such a trip will cost you the same 200 EUR.

From French cities

I would not dare to travel by bus from Russia to the south of France - it would take too long, but getting here, for example, from Paris is more than possible, although it is also not fast. Buses, like trains, are intercity and regional. Two main companies: Eurolines And OUIBUS.

The road from Paris (Gallieni) to Marseille (usually arrive at the main station Gare de Marseille Saint Charles, but it is better to check this when buying a ticket) will take almost 12 hours and will cost 25 EUR, and from Paris to Nice it will take more than a day (for 35 EUR ). Not the best convenient option, but bus carriers have good discounts.

But getting around Provence itself by bus is not very convenient; they run rarely, although they are quite cheap. Most tourists (and us too) prefer trains or cars.

By car

From Moscow and St. Petersburg

From the two capital cities you can get to Provence by private car. The journey will be long but exciting. The route can be built the way you like, especially if you want to see other cities and countries along the way.

It is most convenient for Muscovites to travel through Belarus, Poland, the Czech Republic, Austria and Italy, while St. Petersburg residents usually prefer to travel through the Baltic states and further to Poland along the same route.

You will have to cover a distance of approximately 3,000 km. If you drive non-stop, alternating behind the wheel, you can get there in about 35 hours. Most tourists, of course, make stops along the way, and sometimes even specifically turn into interesting cities. If you don’t deviate too much from the route, Muscovites can stop by, Warsaw, Wroclaw, Prague (or take a little to the north and visit, or vice versa, to the south and stop by Vienna). It will be convenient for St. Petersburg residents to travel through Daugavpils, Warsaw, and then along the same route: through the Czech Republic, Germany or Austria. This road will be longer, but more interesting.

The roads along the route are good everywhere. But it is better, of course, to stop for the night and rest.

Travel expenses

Along the way, you may encounter toll roads; some sections in Belarus, Poland, Italy and France itself are paid at the entrance; in other countries, for example, in the Czech Republic or Austria, you need to purchase a so-called vignette (when you pay not for the section of the route, but for the time). In Germany, motorways are currently free, but this will change by 2019.

Tariffs vary in each country. In addition, they are influenced by the class of the car, the type of road section, Management Company. The cost starts from 2 EUR and reaches several tens of EUR. There are extremely rare queues to enter.

More information about toll roads in Provence can be found in the “Tips for motorists” section below.

As for fuel, it will cost you about 300 EUR, although to be safe it is better to do the calculation yourself, based on the consumption of your particular car.

By ferry

In theory, it may be possible to travel by ferry from St. Petersburg to Provence, bypassing the whole of Europe and with many transfers, but in practice, I think few people will decide to take such a cruise.

And, of course, you can go to, which also borders the region. In close proximity are, and.

How to get there: The most convenient way to get to both neighboring regions and Italy is by train, but you can also use buses. Those tourists who rent a car can easily get there on their own.

Nearby Islands

Since Provence is located on sea ​​coast, then almost every city has interesting islands. It’s impossible to visit them all, but there are some that you can’t miss:


Food. What to try

Those who want to eat delicious food will not have to look long in Provence - the cuisine here is excellent! And if you want to eat very tasty, then it is best to ask the locals for advice, sometimes they reveal such things to tourists Amazing places, which you don’t just accidentally fall into.

There are a lot of cafes and restaurants in the region. As a rule, the closer they are to the coast, the more expensive they are. A full lunch can cost from 25 to 80 EUR, and a light snack can cost 10-15 EUR. A tip is usually already included in the bill, but if you liked the service, you can leave 10-15%.

Bread is often served with main courses, and you will certainly be offered water. Usually all this is free.

Gastronomic traditions

The cuisine of Provence is slightly different from classic French. It is simpler and more popular. Fresh, natural products, plenty of garlic, olive oil, basil, thyme, rosemary, tomatoes - these are the basis of local dishes.

And, of course, you can’t go past fish and seafood. The famous bouillabaisse (bouillabaisse). This is a signature Marseille dish, which is served in several servings: first they bring you a rich fish broth with bread, then the fish, which became the basis for this broth. This dish is expensive, but very tasty!

Another pride of Provence - cheeses. For example, the local specialty is cheese banon(banon), it is wrapped in grape or chestnut leaves.

And, of course, it’s impossible to visit Provence and not try local wines! Among the red wines of the Rhone Valley, the brands Chateauneuf-du-Pape, Gigondas, and Rasteau are especially highly valued.

Useful nuances

Separately, it is worth noting the timing of meals. In Provence they usually have breakfast early - at 07:00-08:00, have lunch at noon, and have dinner after 19:00. You must remember and take into account that after lunch the kitchen in almost all restaurants closes. It will be impossible to eat around 13:00-14:00!

If you want to eat at home, it is best to buy food from local markets. I assure you, they will amaze even the most experienced chef with their variety and quality of products!

Features of mentality

  1. Provence has a lot of nature, and life is closely connected with it. This has been the case for centuries, which is why the Provencals are very calm and unhurried people. They cannot be called lazy, but even in big cities people will not be in too much of a hurry here, and the measured lifestyle is also reflected in the kind, calm disposition of the people.
  2. The etiquette and rules here are quite strict, which does not exclude freedom of morals and openness to new things. But within reasonable limits! For example, on the beaches you can sunbathe topless without any problems, but walking around the city in a bathing suit (even to the nearest cafe on the embankment) is quite rightly considered extremely indecent.
  3. If you want to appear polite, use titles moncieur, madame and mademoiselle. By the way, the stories that the French are reluctant to speak English are not fiction. Many local residents really prefer to communicate in their own language. Therefore, if you learn at least a few phrases (even if very clumsily), you will immediately win people over. We learned a little French before the trip, and you should have seen how happy the Provencals were at our very modest attempts to express ourselves. Interestingly, they later switched to English more willingly.
  4. It is curious that the region once had its own language - Provençal. And it continues to exist to this day, it is even taught as an elective in schools, and at the University of Aix-en-Provence there is a Faculty of Provençal Language and Literature.

Holidays

The whole world knows for sure about one holiday in Provence. We are talking, of course, about Cannes Film Festival. But the joyful life of the region is not limited to this event. In addition to more or less traditional events, such as New Year, Christmas or Wine, Music and Theater Festivals, there are also very unusual celebrations.

For example, in Menton in February they celebrate International Lemon Festival, in May in Sainte-Marie-de-la-Mer occurs World Gypsy Pilgrimage, in August in Chateauneuf-du-Pape people walk on Festival of grape ripening, and in December, small statues of saints - Santons - are celebrated in Marseille.

And, of course, it is impossible to imagine Provence without summer Festival of Dramatic Arts in Avignon, Aix-en-Provence Art and Music Festival And Lavender holiday- probably the main symbol of this southern region.

It is the Lavender Festival that arouses the greatest interest among travelers. During the celebration, thousands of guests gather in a tiny village of 120 inhabitants. Here they organize walking tours around the lavender fields, exhibitions of Provencal artists, demonstrations of lavender processing, shows of local horses, food tastings, sales of products from this wonderful flower and much more.

Safety. What to watch out for

  1. From the point of view of tourist safety, Provence is also very good. Serious crimes against travelers are extremely rare, but thefts do occur, especially from cars. Standard precautions should be taken.
  2. Girls can easily travel alone.
  3. No additional vaccinations are required for travel.
  4. Going to the mountains or hiking hiking trails, of which there are many in the Region, you need to take care of comfortable shoes.
  5. The taps are leaking drinking water, but if you see the Eau non potale sign, it means that the water is not potable and you really shouldn’t drink it.

Things to do

In addition to classic cultural holidays, lazy beach holidays and extreme sports, Provence offers its guests many other entertainments:


Shopping and shops

Provence cannot be called the most suitable place for shopping in France. For those who are interested in fashion stores, it is better to go to the boutiques of Paris. And in the south they usually buy products from local craftsmen, souvenirs and products, which I will talk about in the section below.

Almost the only exception is the rich Nice: there are expensive shopping streets with boutiques of world famous brands ( Avenue Jean-Medecin, Rue Saint Francois de Paule, Rue de I Hotel des Postes), where even the most fastidious fashionistas will find something suitable for themselves.

More modest shopping can be organized in other large cities, for example, in Marseille, Cannes or Nimes.

Bars

There are a lot of bars and cafes in Provence. There is even a unique Cafe society culture here. Prices in local establishments are usually high, and the purpose of the visit is not limited to the desire to “have a glass.” This is, first of all, communication, new acquaintances and interesting observations of people.

Many bars are open until the last customer or close around 02.00. Cafes are usually open until 23.00. For more upscale and expensive bars, head to Nice, while those looking for fun on a budget should head to Marseille.

Clubs and nightlife

To those who are attracted night life, it’s definitely worth going to the South of Provence. In the northern regions there is a calm, sleepy atmosphere, so there good clubs can not found. But there are many of them in the French Riviera!

Here everyone will find entertainment to their liking: from fashionable modern discos to jazz clubs, from legendary venues where only tourists who are very firmly on their feet (in the financial sense) can afford to go, to free beach parties for everyone. Of course, the larger the city, the more opportunities for fun there will be.

The evening program usually starts at 20-21.00, and dancing can last until the morning. On the coast and in big cities there are more establishments open all night than in the outback and in small settlements.

In France, there is a difficult situation related to traffic, in which even local residents get confused. We are talking about the rule of “priority on the right”. In cities, traffic on the right usually has priority, even if we're talking about On very small streets, outside the city this rule is not always followed; there, priority is given to cars driving on the main road. In general, you should be careful at intersections, and if you are not sure, it is better to give way. At the same time, in the “flower beds”, priority, naturally, goes to those driving along the ring.

And a few more important rules:

  1. Most parking in Provence is paid. They are marked P and cost about 3 EUR per hour. In most cities during evenings, weekends and holidays You can park for free. But you cannot leave the car in one place for more than a day.
  2. As for toll roads, there are not many of them, but they do exist, especially those that lead to other countries. They are designated by the letter A on a blue background, the cost varies and is indicated on the information boards at the entrance. All passengers must wear seat belts, and children under 10 years old can only sit in the rear seats.
  3. The driver is required to have a breathalyzer in the car; if you do not have one, you will have to pay a fine of 11 EUR.
  4. It is better not to break traffic rules, because fines in France are very high. For example, you can pay up to 1,500 EUR for speeding! I don’t think it’s even necessary to say that you shouldn’t offer a bribe to a police officer.

Provence-Alpes - holidays with children

The south of France is well suited for families with children, it has a pleasant climate and warm sea. In addition, the region offers many activities for children, such as:

  • amusement park Marineland in Antibes. Aquarium, exhibitions about the sea, performances with dolphins and other inhabitants big water.
  • "Tropical Fish Aquarium" in Bedarrida. The aquarium features 300 species of fish.
  • "Zoological Safari Park" in Frejus. Suitable for both walking and driving.
  • Sun and Space Park in Avignon. Educational excursions about our Universe.
  • "Town of Automata" in Saint-Cannes. Amusement park with mechanical dolls.
  • "Aquapark" in Septain-les-Vallons.
  • Magicland in Chateauneuf-les-Martigues. Wild West town: cowboys, Railway, puppet show.

Ski holiday

It would seem that the South of France, well, what skiing? But this amazing region offers guests this type of recreation too! If you want to ski from the mountains on the Cote d'Azur, you need to go to the Southern Alps region. Here you will find almost two dozen ski stations and more than 700 kilometers of slopes at altitudes from 1,150 to 2,800 meters.

Main advantage mountain resorts Provence is the weather. It gets really cold here in winter (the trails are often covered with natural snow, although of course there are guns) and the sun shines 320 days a year.

Ski passes

Prices

The cost of ski passes varies from station to station, but in general it is 20-30% cheaper than the more popular Alpine ski resorts. ski resorts. As a rule, a day ski pass for an adult costs 12-15 EUR, for a child 8-10 EUR.

How can you save money?

By paying in advance online and purchasing a ski pass for several days, you can save a lot. At many tracks you can also choose a family pass, which is cheaper than individual tickets.

Trails

Valberg

The mountain village of Valberg offers 52 trails with a total length of 90 km. There are all categories of trails here: from very gentle ones for beginners, to very steep and difficult ones for professionals. The resort has trainers who teach even children as young as 3 years old to ride!


Oron

Auron is another village popular with skiers. 42 slopes of all difficulty levels, the largest ski area in the entire region and rich story(the first descents here took place back in the 1930s).

Izola

Ski station Isola unites three ski regions with a total length of 120 km of slopes. There are three schools open here for beginners, it is a dynamic, youth resort.

Also worth mentioning are these popular resorts, How Pra-Lu, Montgenevre, Val d'Allos, Risoul-la-Forêt-Blanche.

5 must-do things in this region

It is impossible to tell in one text (even such a large one!) about everything that Provence offers its guests. Every traveler chooses something interesting for himself. But there is something that needs to be done here:


  1. Enjoy the magnificent beach holiday on the Cote d'Azur.
  2. Visit Roman-era monuments here and there preserved in Provence.
  3. Having touched the work of the greats, try to understand why artists and writers of all eras found inspiration in this region.
  4. Go on a short hiking along the calanques or a long one - into the mountains.
  5. Spend an unforgettable evening at best restaurants Nice, Cannes or Monaco.

Anything to add?

  1. Vaison la Romaine- Built along the river bank, Vasio Vocontiorum flourished during the Roman era. After the collapse of the Roman Empire and several years of floods, all traces of the ancient Roman civilization were buried under a layer of sand. It was not until 1907 that the Roman ruins were rediscovered. Before this, Vason was a small village with Romanesque cathedral 11th century and cloister 12th - 13th centuries. The upper town is surrounded by a 14th-century fortification wall, built from stones left over from Roman buildings. Complementing this is a dramatic looking 12th century castle.
  2. - the beauty, aroma and tranquility of this abbey, located in, will forever remain in the memory. This Cistercian monastery is surrounded by one of the most famous. The cloister of the cathedral (12th century) is distinguished by fine stone carvings.
  3. - one of the most boasts a Renaissance castle from the 12th century. Steep streets - calades— framed by ancient houses. And just below Gordes is the Village des Bories, an ensemble of characteristic dry stone buildings, some of which date back to the Bronze Age.
  4. - , is famous for its monumental - evidence of the power of the papacy in the 14th century.
  5. - in that ancient city monuments of the Gallo-Roman era have been preserved, among which -, preserved in better condition than the Roman Colosseum, as well
    - a magnificent ancient Roman temple with a panoramic platform. Porta Augusta is the best preserved Roman gate in the city. The Domitian Road led from Rome to Spain, passing through Nîmes, so the gate had to be large enough for a horse-drawn carriage to pass through.
  6. Aigues-Morges- south of Nîmes, the city, located in the center of the Camargue nature reserve, is one of the best preserved fortified cities in France. The fortress walls (1272-1300) still completely surrounding the city are pierced by 10 gates.
  7. - Known as the "little Rome of the Gauls", Arles boasts some of the best preserved Gallo-Roman monuments: , and the Roman necropolis complements it.
  8. — - the streets of Saint-Rémy, lined with houses from the 15th - 16th centuries, contrast with Glanum, located 2 km from the center, where an impressive building has been preserved.
  9. Ile d'If ()- on this small island Francis I built a fortress (1524-28) designed to protect Marseille. Later, bastions were added, but the fortress was never attacked. But it became a prison where Huguenots and political prisoners were imprisoned. This fortress was used by Alexandre Dumas in his work “The Count of Monte Cristo”. Among the most famous prisoners of the prison is the Man in the Iron Mask.
  10. - this one is popular beach resort in the past it was a thriving Roman settlement. In a port city, the Fréjus amphitheater was more likely intended for soldiers rather than for the wealthy public, which is why it is much inferior in sophistication to the amphitheaters of Nîmes and Arles.
  11. La Turbie— here are the ruins of a monument (Trophée des Alpes), built by the Roman emperor Augustus in the 6th century BC. to commemorate his conquest of what is now France by Rome. Only the pedestal has survived, but a miniature copy can be seen in the Musée du Trophée d’Auguste.
  1. is a popular ocean-themed adventure park.
  2. — in addition to ancient Roman monuments, you can visit Parc Zoölogique, as well as the Aqualand water park.
  3. Ile de Porquerolles - many children will delight in a boat trip to this island, with its beaches, forests and bike paths.
  4. Village des Tortues (Gonfaron) - 2,500 species of turtles are collected here, including the Hermann species, which has almost disappeared in France.
  5. Aoubre (Flassans) - in this forest you can feel like primates, flying from tree to tree between installed platforms. There is a “Mowgli path” - at a height of 1 m above the ground.
  6. La Barben - in this park at the foot of the castle over 600 animals (120 species) live together
  7. - picturesque old bridge Avignon, ancient houses with various knocking handles. And you can take a ride on a tourist mini-train.
  8. — here you can see many birds and animals, and “French cowboys” driving herds of snow-white Camargue horses.

In the footsteps of the greats who captured on their canvases:

  1. - adored by Jean Cocteau, to whom the local museum is now dedicated.
  2. - The 5th largest city in France attracted many artists and painters in the 19th and 20th centuries, including Henri Matisse. A small but interesting collection of paintings in , and an outstanding collection of modern art in .
  3. — Marc Chagall lived here for a long time. A museum is dedicated to him, located, however, in Nice. Amadeo Modigliani, Pierre Bonnard and Paul Signac also visited here in the 1920s.
  4. Vence- Chapelle du Rosaire, designed by Matisse.
  5. Cagnes-sur-Mer— Renoir said about this town that “this is the place in which I would like to paint for the rest of my life.” The city houses the Renoir Museum.
  6. Biot- the town famous for its ceramics became home to Fernand Léger, who spent time here last years own life. The Musée Nationale Fernand-Léger is dedicated to him.
  7. - The Grimaldi Castle is home to the first-class Picasso Museum. Picasso spent a year in 1946 working in this castle. And when leaving, he donated all his works to the city, including paintings, drawings, ceramics, lithographs...
  8. Vallauris- attracts lovers of ceramics and Picasso with its three museums: Musée National de Picasso, Musée Magnelli, and Musée de la Céramique. Picasso lived here from 1948 to 1955, creating about 4,000 ceramic works. He also decorated the local chapel with two magnificent contrasting paintings: La Paix (Peace) and La Guerre (War).

Provence is the most picturesque region of France with the richest historical and cultural heritage. Many tourists dream of visiting Provence. And for those who were lucky enough to realize travel to Provence– these are endless vineyards, silvery olive groves, lavender valleys, mountain ruins of the Alps, an area where people live who savor every minute of their existence. This article and video will tell you all about it.

Traveling through Provence

For those who are just going to travel to Provence- these are hotels full of romance and imbued with stunning Provençal serenity, places where you can enjoy hiking and dining on sunny terraces throughout the year, discoveries that await you in local cafes and markets.

Provence owes its spectacular views and unprecedented popularity to the successful geographical location, thanks to which the regularity of the plains is intertwined with the southern maritime flavor and complemented. Sea lagoons, reed swamps, pastel salt marshes, the floods of the raging Rhone, the tectonic “steps” of Les Baux - all this awaits traveling around Provence.

Traveling around Provence: popular places

The most beautiful city France, which is the Provencal center of antiques - Aix-en-Provence;

Arles is a city illuminated by the genius of Van Gogh:

Nice is a city with many museums and aristocracy of all stripes;

City of festivals and palaces - Cannes;

Gambling State of Monaco;

Avignon with its beautiful crenellated fortifications;

Bustling Marseille and many other attractions that you simply cannot count.

Aix-en-Provence

For travelers in France - Provence is an opportunity for collectors to scour the local flea markets in search of interesting curiosities. AND best place than Aix-en-Provence, it is simply difficult to find. A city with a luxurious historical heritage, but full of young energy, thanks to the famous European Academy of Music, the university and the numerous art festivals that permeate the capital of Provence with creativity and lively creativity. unique charm, thanks to ancient streets paved with stone, elegant facades of aristocratic mansions, decorated with balconies with openwork forging, the city hall and many fountains that once saved the townspeople from the plague.

Arles

The vibrant, colorful area of ​​Arles has long been a paradise for those traveling to travel to Provence, photographers from all over the world. For them, photography is organized annually at the National School of Photography summer festivals and master classes. The pristine beauty of Arles captivated Gauguin and Van Gogh, who left an indelible mark on history.

Cannes

Cannes is called the city of rising stars and luxury yachts, luxurious beaches and constant holidays. Most famous place The city's Palais des Festivals and the Avenue of Stars bear the fingerprints of many celebrities. The Old Port has dozens of wonderful restaurants that combine high-speed Wi-Fi with.

Monaco

For those with good taste and refined love of life and those planning travel to Provence This is an opportunity to visit the Principality of Monaco, the main attractions of which are the royal family, Formula 1, casinos and yachts.

The best restaurants and hotels of the Cote d'Azur, the Formula 1 Grand Prix, famous casinos are just a few reasons to visit the smallest European state. Of course, the pleasure is not cheap, but the famous Monte Carlo casino is located here, where you can

Avignon

The city is famous for its theater festival. Avignon has the largest Gothic palace, which was once the residence of the Pope. The city is also famous for its legendary Pont Saint-Benez.

Marseilles

Traveling through Provence, be sure to visit Marseille. The symbol of the city is Notre-Dame de la Garde. Climbing to the roof of the cathedral you can enjoy an amazing view of the city. And nearby, in the Abbey of St. Victor, the most terrible catacombs are open to the public. From the Old Port you can sail on a tourist boat to the Chateau d'If, a former prison in which the Count of Monte Cristo himself was a prisoner. In city squares there are many cafes and clubs, interesting second-hand bookstores.

Fontaine de Vaucluse

A natural source that is picturesque lake. The rate of water release is 22 tons per second. A powerful and mesmerizing spectacle. It is also one of the deepest karst caves(308 m).

Grass

The French capital of perfumery, surrounded by fragrant lavender plantations, is the city of Grasse, founded in the 11th century. The city was once famous for its glovers, who scented ladies' gloves with jasmine and exotic spices. Afterwards, glovers became perfumers.

Here you can visit the International Perfumery Museum and choose a scented soap or essence from a street vendor.

Camargue

For lovers travel, Provence– this is also a corner where tourists await unique park, located in the Rhone delta. Nests here pink flamingo. The park's live attractions are white mustangs and black bulls. They practice in the Camargue ecotourism, growing pure vegetables and fruits. Camargue wines are gastronomic souvenirs.

To leisurely see all the sights, as befits a true Provençal, a lifetime probably won’t be enough. But for those who are preparing to be poisoned in travel to Provence y is the most beautiful thing that can be created by nature and people.

Hello, forum users!

We are going to Provence on June 10-14.
We plan to spend the first two days in Marseille, and 12-14 to move to the Manosque area.
The preliminary plan is:

Spend the afternoon on June 12 in the vicinity of Monosque. Is there something particularly pleasant and beautiful in the immediate vicinity that you would recommend?

On June 13, go towards the Luberon. We are planning Gord. There are also plans for a Lavender museum.
What else would you recommend from your visits there? Roussillon? Who has been to the lavender museum, please tell me, is it interesting? Worth to visit?

On June 14, go towards Verdon. We are planning Valensole, lake. A visit to Moutiers-Sainte-Marie is in doubt.
What else would you recommend in Verdon? Do you recommend Moutiers-Sainte-Marie?

I would like a leisurely inspection, beautiful views.
I would also really like to visit some of the following: workshops for the production of lavender oil (maybe there is a lavender museum?), private wine houses where you can taste and buy delicious wine (are there such in that region?), perhaps something also from places where they produce something local.

Tell me from experience, will the lavender fields bloom at this time or not?
Where is the best place to find lavender at this time? Near the Senac Abbey?

Thank you all in advance for your advice, opinions and recommendations!

it will begin to bloom in the Luberon, near Bonnier.
Moustiers Saint Marie is a must, amazing town.
But Manosk...what do you need it for?

Valensole he did not stand next to Verdon,
They are just hoping for lavender, and then they are passing from Moustiers to the Luberon.
The city itself is no good.

and what about your reservation?
Actually, the championship is just starting there and everything is very bad
and tickets and hotel reservations, and it’s a shame the prices are on the ceiling.

What I mean is that from Marseille your wishes are not feasible,
only sequential route with hotel reservations
to Moustiers, Ile-sur-la-Sorgue, back to Marseille or Cassy

Pug, thanks!

Manosque because housing is planned there and because it was chosen as such a midpoint between Luberon and Verdon.

In your opinion, is it better to go to Gordes early in the day and then to Bonniere (hoping to catch lavender :))? If Bonnier is set in the navigator, will we not miss the lavender fields?

Have you been to the Lavender Museum?

Do you think you can skip visiting Valensole? Straight to Verdon, then to the lake and then to Moustiers-Saint-Marie?
Tell me, where is the best place to drive up to the lake in order to go down to it?
Or maybe there is the best viewing place near the lake?

We are going to visit the Luberon and Verdon from Manosque.
I understand that it’s a long way from Marseille.

From Marseille we would like to visit the calanques from the Cassi side and walk to D'en-vo.
It's like 1 hour walk from the port of Cassi? Right?

I think parking there will be difficult. Maybe tell me where it’s better to look for parking?

Vasilisa.

Firstly, there are developed minute-by-minute routes around Provence,
don't be lazy, take a look
I have three different ones.

I would go from Marseille to Verdon through Draguignan to Castellane,
capturing part of the Road of Eagles
from Castellane to Moustiers, along the northern route.

But if you are staying overnight in Manosque, then your driver will have a hard time.

You first go to the Ritz, then to Valensole - this is a drive through lavender fields.
Then to Manosque, and late in the evening you will be in Manosque.
This is a very inconvenient base, better than Moustier, then you will have time everywhere.

From Manosque you can reach the Luberon
Ask Roussion, Gordes, Lacoste, Bonnier and back.
But the route is very strenuous.

In Bonnier, the lavender is right at the BONNIER sign, below, not on the mountain.
At least last year there was a field.
But I also saw Gu, if anything.

There is always a problem with parking in Cassi.
There is one at the port, for a limited time, I think for an hour or two.
There are a lot of parking lots, just drive around everything and you'll get lucky somewhere.

I wouldn’t waste time on the calanques, on a hiking trip.
Take a boat, take a ride and you will understand that you need it on foot.

Stressful and hard for the driver why?
Is the road itself so difficult?
Even if one day from Manosque to Gordes and back, and on another from Manosque to Verdon and back?
You have me puzzled. I thought that this should be tolerable and not stressful.

These are narrow roads, narrower than ours, and on Verdon there are serpentine roads and about 20 stops on it..
You can go from Marseille to Manosque by expressway,
although why is it needed, nothing is visible on it.

One route north or south of Verdon takes half a day,
and it is impossible to jump from it to the expressway in your case.
Yes, and there are no expressways there.

Alas, I’m running out of time; on Monday we’ll come up with a route based on your realities.

Let's put together a run through the Luberon:

165 km =3h25 min

57 km =1h04 min
Manosque - ROUSSILLON 84220 Roussillon
- 8 km =0h11 min
GORD 84220 Gordes
- 11 km =0h17 min
Menerbes
- 7 km =0h10 min
LACOSTE 84480 Lacoste
- 7 km =0h10 min
Bonnier
- 56 km =1h00 min
FORCALIER 04300 Forcalquier
- 22 km =0h26 min
Manosque

These are all very interesting places.
In Gorda there is a parking lot in the city center, a circle next to the cathedral, 100 meters up.
In Lacoste, stop at the bottom and climb up on foot to the chateau of the Marquis de Sade.
In Forcaglia you need to climb the mountain, there is a path there.

I would advise you to hold out until Ile sur la Sorgue, but I’m afraid it will become a bit difficult for you.

on Gord Verdon

Manosque
22 km. =0h26 VALENSOLE 04210 Valensole
- 28 km. =0h40 Moustiers 04360 Moustiers-Sainte-Marie
from MOUTIERS southern route, we cross the bridge
- 16km = 0h21 to Aegina 83630 Aiguines,
further to observation deck Col d'Illoire Col-d 'Illoire
further along the cornice of Sublim to the Mescla balcony Balcons de la Mescla.
- 34km =0h45 Trigance 83840 Trigance
further after the Point Sublime bridge turn left onto
- 21km =0h25 La Palud 04120 La Palud-sur-Verdon,
- at the intersection of Rue Moustier and Rue Castellane, enter the Cretan road D23 ROUTES DES CRETES - there the traffic is CLOCKWISE!
“...the loop of the D23 road starts from the gas station and the Aberg restaurant...”
- along the northern side of Verdon we go back to
- Moustier.
- Manosque

I don’t put down the mileage and time, it’s pointless in the mountains on serpentine roads
Time costs count half a day to Triganza, as the highest point of the route
And it takes the same amount of time to go back, time it.

Leave at dawn, the route is difficult.
Before and after Valensole there will be lavender fields.
At Gord Verdon, reach the middle and turn.
Don’t go towards Castellan, it’s not that interesting anymore.

You leave Moustiers for the second half, a very unusual town.
There's a problem with parking there; you have to park on the highway.
Lake Sainte-Croix is ​​more interesting to look at than to take water treatments.

If you have time in the evening, set the direction from Valensole to Oraison.
There are other lavender fields on this road and a spectacular descent from the plateau.
When you come down from the plateau, set Manosque on the road along Durance.

pug, you are just super! Some kind of wizard!
I have now built your routes on Google to see what the trips will look like - super-super-super! Conveniently, what I wanted to eat and even much more! Thank you!

Tell me, but Cote d'Azur What would you recommend as a must visit for your taste? What cities/villages?
Your opinion is very interesting.

I will join the discussion))). But you say “there are developed minute-by-minute routes around Provence.” Where can I look? We are from Barcelona and want to see the lavender and the Verdon Gorge. Uv. Pug, where should we be based? I wanted more Roussillon and Grasse. The trip is planned for 4 days on June 23. Will there be any sporting events or something else at this time? And can you tell me a French website for booking private accommodation? I would like a private house (or part of it) with a separate entrance.