Sightseeing in Provence - Cote d’Azur - what to see. Complete travel guide

Provence is one of the most charming cantons of France; it is full of contrasts and splendor. Its scenery, architecture, even the way of life amazes with diversity and versatility. The region will appeal to those interested in architecture and history, as there are numerous historical monuments of the Roman Empire in Provence.

Close to the town of Arles there is one of the most striking architectural structures of past centuries, the Roman amphitheater. The forum, the necropolis and ruins of the ancient theater can be found next to it. Orange would be interesting from the historical point of view; during tour to Avignon, you could see the beautiful Palace of the Popes. This scenic building was built in the 14th century; it is considered one of the largest Gothic monuments in the world. Marseille also has several landmarks that deserve attention. The famous Abbey of St. Victor is situated there; it was built more than a thousand years ago.

Nice amazes tourists with a variety of cultural venues, including theaters, museums and galleries. Vacationers should visit the Matisse Museum, the Museum of Fine Arts, Marc Chagall Museum and the Museum of Modern Art, each of which represents a unique collection of exhibits. All landmarks of the Cote d'Azur are very close to each other, so visitors mayn’t hurry to explore all the sights. Copyright www.orangesmile.com

The old town of Saint-Paul-de-Vence is amazing; several medieval buildings have survived on its territory. Saint-Jean-Cap-Ferrat is famous for its natural attractions; it will appeal to fans of hiking and cycling. Marineland amusement park with the museum of the sea and a large aquarium will be interesting to travelers with children; every day there are exciting dolphin shows in it.

Speaking of Provence, it’s worth to mention its gorgeous beaches. Those who are fond of water sports would like beaches at Cannes, St Tropez, Antibes, Nice, Monaco and Juan-les-Pins. These towns are admired by shoppers and gourmets, as there are fine French restaurants and trendy boutiques in them. Most travelers visit resorts of the Cote d'Azur in summer, so it’s better to look for a relaxing vacation in the off-season.

It is no wonder that Provence is recognized as one of the most inimitable and most interesting regions in France. Everything here is unique, including a variety of climate zones. In the region, there are picturesque districts with subtropical plants. One of them is a world-famous resort area called Côte d'Azur. Near it, there are submontane Alpine areas that are distinguished by the harsh climate and attract fans of winter sports.

Provence is a place where unique nature attractions are located. Fans of unusual sightseeing tours can see here the deepest canyon in Europe, the Verdon Gorge that is over 700 m deep. It has a special climate that is favorable for rare plants. It is very interesting to walk here in spring when you can admire the nature in all its beauty.

Not so many people know that corrida (bullfight) is very popular in France. Provence is considered to be the homeland of this entertainment. In comparison with the Spanish corrida, the French one is more humane. Bulls are not injured here at all. So, it is interesting to watch this spectacle even with children.

The Provence cuisine is also a true national heritage and is famous all over the world. To taste unique food delicacies, you don’t need to visit expensive michelin restaurants in any Provence town. Here, visitors can taste wonderful seafood cooked over an open fire. One of the most popular national dishes is octopus baked on coals.

In Provence, there are a lot of historic wineries and wonderful apiaries where you can buy true honey. The most popular local sweet is nougat. As many years ago, it is cooked only by hand. The main secret of cooking nougat is honey added to it instead of usual sugar. It is not only very delicious, but also useful. Besides exquisite wines, rare tinctures are produced in Provence. The most famous tincture is pastis. It is an anise tincture that can give you strength and energy.