-
Théâtre Antique
Still used for summertime concerts and plays, this outdoor theatre dates to the end of the 1st century BC. For hundreds of years it was a source of construction materials, with workers chipping away at the 102m-diameter structure (the column on the right-hand side near the entrance
-
Musée National Adrien Dubouché
This museum, founded in 1845, has one of France’s two outstanding ceramics collections (the other is in Sèvres, southwest of Paris), so it’s a must for ceramics lovers. Displays illustrate the evolution from earthenware to Limoges hard-paste porcelain, and include 12,000 pieces fro
-
Abbaye de Thoronet
The simplest in a trio of great Cistercian abbeys (the other two are Silvacane and Notre-Dame de Sénanque), uninhabited Abbaye de Thoronet, 12km southwest of Lorgues, was built between 1160 and 1190. It’s remarkable for its ultra-austere architecture: pure proportions, perfectly dr
-
Prieuré de Salagon
The 13th-century Prieuré de Salagon (4km south of Forcalquier, outside the walled village Mane) is among Provences most peaceful spots. Wander medieval herb gardens, fragrant with native lavender, mints and mugworts, and a show garden of world plants. One stone building houses conc
-
Place des Cornières
From the town’s three gateways, Monpazier’s flat, grid-straight streets lead to the arcaded market square (also known as place Centrale), surrounded by an ochre-hued collection of stone houses that reflect centuries of building and rebuilding. In one corner is an old lavoir once us
-
Palais du Tau
A Unesco World Heritage Site, this former archbishop’s residence, constructed in 1690, was where French princes stayed before their coronations – and where they hosted sumptuous banquets afterwards. Now a museum, it displays truly exceptional statuary, liturgical objects and tapest
-
Musée Champollion
This museum is named after Figeac-born Egyptologist and linguist Jean-François Champollion (1790–1832), whose efforts in deciphering the Rosetta Stone provided the key for cracking Egyptian hieroglyphics. The lavishly restored mansion where he was born is now devoted to the history
-
Domaine de la Palissade
This remote nature centre, 12km south of Salin de Giraud, organises fantastic forays through marshland, scrubby glasswort, flowering sea lavender (August) and lagoons, on foot and horseback; call ahead to book horse treks (€18 per hour). Before hitting the scrub, rent binoculars (€
-
La Fontaine
At the foot of craggy cliffs, an easy 1km walk from the village, the River Sorgue surges from the earths depths. The spring is most dazzling after heavy rain, when water glows azure blue, welling up at an incredible 90 cu metres per second. Jacques Cousteau was among those who atte
-
Musée Cantini
Behind grand gates inside a 17th-century hôtel particulier (mansion), the recently renovated Musée Cantini has superbly curated art exhibitions, and excellent permanent collections of 17th- and 18th-century Provençal art, including André Derains Pinède, Cassis (1907) and Raoul Dufy
-
Romagne ’14
The village of Romagne-sous-Montfaucon holds this heart-rending museum, which, in the words of owner Jean-Paul de Vries is all about ‘life stories’ and ‘the human being behind the helmet’. This barn shows artefacts in their original state – rust, dirt and all. Join Jean-Paul on one
-
Cité Médiévale
Cross the Pont Romain (Roman bridge) in the footsteps of frightened medieval peasants, who clambered to the walled city during valley conflicts. Steep cobblestone alleyways wend beneath stone ramparts and a 14th-century bell tower , past romantic fountains and mansions with incredi
-
Site Archéologique de Glanum
Spectacular archaeological site Glanum dates to the 3rd century BC. Walking the main street towards the sacred spring around which Glanum grew, you pass the fascinating remains of a once-thriving city, complete with baths, forum, marketplace, temples and houses. Two ancient Roman m
-
Musée d’Art et d’Histoire Baron Gérard
Opened in 2013, this is one of France’s most gorgeously presented provincial museums. The exquisite exhibits cover everything from Gallo-Roman archaeology to medieval art to paintings from the Renaissance to the 20th century, including a fine work by Gustave Caillebotte. Other high
-
Hôtel Groslot
The Renaissance Hôtel Groslot was built in the 15th century as a private mansion for Jacques Groslot, a city bailiff, and later used as Orléans’ town hall during the Revolution. The neomedieval interior, with some original furnishings, is extravagant, especially the ornate bedroom
-
Maison de la Magie
Opposite the château you can’t miss the former home of watchmaker, inventor and conjurer Jean Eugène Robert-Houdin (1805–71), whose name was later adopted by American magician Harry Houdini. Dragons emerge roaring from the windows on the hour, while the museum inside hosts daily ma
-
Musée Guimet des Arts Asiatiques
France’s foremost Asian art museum has a superb collection. Observe the gradual transmission of both Buddhism and artistic styles along the Silk Road in pieces ranging from 1st-century Gandhara Buddhas from Afghanistan and Pakistan, to later Central Asian, Chinese and Japanese Budd
-
Fondation Vincent Van Gogh
This Van Gogh-themed gallery is a must-see, as much for its contemporary architecture and design, as for the art it showcases. It has no permanent collection; rather, it hosts one or two excellent exhibitions a year, always with a Van Gogh theme and always including at least one Va
-
Musée Zervos
This fantastic museum in the exquisite townhouse of Nobel Prize–winning pacifist writer Romain Rolland (1866–1944) holds the collection of Christian Zervos (1889–1970), an art critic, gallerist and friend of many modern art luminaries. He and his wife, Yvonne, collected paintings,
-
Villa Méditerranée
This eye-catching white structure next to MuCEM is no ordinary villa. Designed by architect Stefano Boeri in 2013, the sleek white edifice sports a spectacular cantilever overhanging an ornamental pool. Inside, a viewing gallery with glass-panelled floor (look down if you dare!), a
Total
2022 -travel
FirstPage PreviousPage NextPage LastPage CurrentPage:
94/102 20-travel/Page GoTo Page:
