What are the must-see heritage sites in Provence ?

         The must-see cultural heritage sites in Provence
 

Provence is brimming with historic buildings and monuments, as well as a wealth of cultural sites. In fact, many of its sites are listed as UNESCO World Heritage Sites, making them irreplaceable, colourful and historic places that are a must-see during your stay! Here is a list of the most important:

Head for the city of Orange, with its ancient theatre and its surroundings, as well as its triumphal arch. This is one of the best-preserved ancient sites in Europe today. An exceptional vestige of imperial Rome, with its 103-metre-long façade wall, it was built in the 1st century AD during the reign of Augustus. Not far from there, discover the Arch of Orange, built between 10 and 25 AD and one of the finest triumphal arches of the Augustan era. A truly historic feat awaits you when you visit these remarkable monuments!

A stopover in Avignon is also a must on the list of Provençal cultural heritage. The historic centre of Avignon has been a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1995. Three historic sites and monuments are on this list. The Palais des Papes, the largest Gothic building ever constructed, where nine popes succeeded one another, and nicknamed ‘the strongest house in the world’. The Episcopal complex, comprising the Romanesque cathedral of Notre-Dame-des-Doms and the Petit Palais Museum, forms a monumental whole that bears witness to the role played by Avignon in Christian Europe in the 14th century. Finally, the Saint-Bénézet bridge, also known as the ‘Avignon bridge’, built in the 12th century, reflects centuries of history. As you can see, a visit to the ‘City of the Popes’ means discovering an exceptional collection of medieval architecture!

Immerse yourself in Roman history by discovering Arles' Roman heritage. In fact, this is where you will find the most Roman monuments after Rome. You'll find arenas, ancient theatres and cryptoporticus dating back to the 1st century BC. Other monuments such as Constantine's baths and the Alyscamps necropolis bear witness to a second golden age in the 4th century. It's a priceless historical heritage that will teach you a great deal about the Roman era and take you on a journey through time!

Other UNESCO World Heritage sites:

- The Pont du Gard, an architectural masterpiece built shortly before the Christian era.

- The ancient abbey of Saint-Gilles-du-Gard, on the pilgrimage route to Santiago de Compostela.

- The architectural work of ‘Le Corbusier’ in Marseille, an exceptional contribution to the Modern Movement

                Natural heritage in Provence
 

Provence is also a region of exceptional landscapes, with a remarkable variety and an exceptionally rich natural heritage. With its mountains, turquoise Mediterranean creeks, endless fields of lavender, regional nature parks and national parks, Provence is one of France's top destinations for 100% nature tourism! Open your eyes wide and discover these exceptional places! 

The Calanques National Park

Whether you want to go hiking or simply relax by the turquoise waters, the calanques are a must-see in Provence! With its idyllic beaches, mysterious caves and postcard-perfect scenery, this natural fortress of rock formations will transport you for a day into a magical interlude!

The Colorado of Provence

Its former open-air ochre quarries are now a veritable Hollywood backdrop! At Rustrel, in the heart of the Luberon, you will be treated to a natural spectacle that's unique in France. These former quarries look like canyons, with their impressive relief and colours changing from yellow to bright red in the bright sunshine, giving you the chance to discover an exceptional natural environment during a visit that combines hiking and a complete change of scenery!

The lavender fields of Provence

Immerse yourself in the heart of the lavender fields, a typically Provençal landscape that will plunge you into a timeless atmosphere!

Itineraries have even been created to help you discover these lavender fields. The lavender routes stretch over almost 1000 kilometres of inimitable colours and scents.

One of the main places to admire this natural masterpiece is on the Valensole plateau. Here, between the Verdon valleys, a veritable ocean of lavender lies before your eyes, with the Alps and hilltop villages as a backdrop. Don't hesitate, come and visit this unique place in France!