If this is your presumption, you wouldn’t be far off—Provence is certainly a magical corner of the world.

While most visitors head straight for Paris to see the Eiffel Tower and wander the Louvre, there are plenty of other destinations in France to consider. Just a few hours train ride from the capital city is the Provence region, located in the southeast bordering Italy and the Mediterranean Sea.

Here is an opportunity to slow down and get away from the hustle and grit of Paris, opting for things like lounging by the sea, drinking wine at a vineyard, and admiring the colorful countryside.

Thinking of making the Provence region your next getaway? Here are 7 reasons to visit:

1. Outdoor markets

You haven’t truly been to an outdoor market until you’ve meandered one in Provence. Markets here are mini-universes in and of themselves, enchanted worlds filled with vendors selling everything from sustainable garments to fresh produce, homemade soaps to artisan cheese. (So much cheese!)

In the small town of Uzès is what some may call the best market in the whole Provence region. Its Saturday market is huge, spreading across multiple streets and squares—truly the heartbeat of the town. As you begin to explore, the sunlight filters through the majestic leafy trees lining the road, the smell of lavender and fresh baguettes fill the air, and it feels as if it’s the only place that exists in the world.

Grab a fougasse (an herbed bread similar to focaccia) and try to convince yourself that you don’t need to buy one of everything in the local boulangerie (French for “bakery”).

On top of the plethora of things to purchase, the town itself invades your senses as well, distracting your eyes from the multitude of meat and cheese stalls and instead directing them to the gorgeous architecture looming up on either side of you.

Get there early, as the Uzès market is incredibly popular and fills up fast, making traffic and parking somewhat challenging.

2. Amazing architecture

Sure, Paris has the Eiffel tower and elegant wrought-iron balconies, but the Provence region has its own unique architectural delights. It’s filled with impressive sites dating back to the Roman Empire, medieval palaces and churches punctuating the countryside.

The Pont du Gard, a Roman aqueduct from the 1^st Century AD, is a feat of Roman engineering. It is the highest existing Roman aqueduct, sitting at 50 meters above the river.

The Maison Carrée in Nîmes is one of the best-preserved temples from the former Roman Empire, built 16/19 BC—and it remains intact today because it was converted into a Christian church in the 4^th Century AD.

Many castles and forts sit atop hills all over the region, such as in Les Baux-de-Provence, a village on a high rocky hilltop that was inhabited as early as 6000 BC.

On top of all that, there are the amphitheaters, or arenas. Arles, which was once the capital of Roman Provence, is home to the famous amphitheater built in the 1^st and 2^nd Centuries AD. It could hold 12,000 spectators, eager to watch gladiators battle.

3. Coastline

 

 

 

 

 

 

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One thing Paris doesn’t have? Miles of rich blue Mediterranean coastline. Imagine clear bright water below cliff-top villages, a mesmerizing scene of greens and blues.

Visit Paloma Beach in Saint-Jean-Cap-Ferrat, a half-private, half-private beach frequented by celebrities. Explore the seaside towns, lounge on a bright yellow beach bed, and be astounded that you’re in little old France.

4. Indulge in all the local cuisine

France is known for its never-ending supply of indulgent treats, and Provence is no exception. In addition to all the obvious French delicacies—croissants, dry sausage, paté, cheese, macarons, crepes—Provence itself has some local dishes that deserve to be tried.

Try bouillabaisse, a fish stew specific to Marseilles, or daube, a “poor man’s” beef stew.

You can’t go wrong with Provence’s most famous dish, ratatouille—a vegetable casserole made with tomatoes, onions, zucchini, eggplant, peppers, garlic and herbs. (It’s so famous it even had a Disney film named after it.)

For sweets, try calisson, the traditional candy of Aix-en-Provence since the 17^th Century, made from almond paste flavored with melon and orange preserves.

5. Explore the arts

 

 

 

 

 

 

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Vincent Van Gogh favored the small Provence town of Arles, and spent over a year there in the late 1800s. The Dutch painter had grown tired of life in Paris and pined for the sunshine and vibrant colors of Provence.

This was a hugely prolific time for Van Gogh, creating numerous works of art and developing a painting style known for its bold color and powerful brushstrokes. Some of his most important works were created here, such as “Bedroom in Arles,” “Café Terrace at Night,” and “Sunflowers.”

The success of Van Gogh, along with other notable artists who spent time in the Provence region such as Paul Cézanne, Henri Matisse, Pablo Picasso, Marc Chagall, and Auguste Renoir, infused the area with creativity and a reverence for beauty that still exists today.

Check out the Musée Granet in Aix-en-Provence or the Fondation Vincent van Gogh in Arles. In Nice, visit Matisse’s personal home at the Musée Matisse or the Musée d’Art Moderne et d’Art Contemporain (MAMAC), enjoying a coffee on the terrace overlooking the city. There’s truly no lack of creative inspiration in Provence.

6. Wander tiny villages

The Provence region is brimming with endless villages, delightful little mazes of quaint streets, charming homes with terracotta rooftops, and picturesque shops. They’re easy to get lost in, and it’s one of the best ways to spend time in Provence.

Choose between seaside escapes, medieval squares, and tranquil towns amidst lavender fields. Try the cliff top village of Gordes and its incredible castle, the Mediterranean village of Seillans so steep that it’s only accessible by foot, or Porquerolles, boasting both a medieval center and scenic harbor.

7. See the lavender and sunflower fields

 

 

 

 

 

 

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Perhaps the most iconic of all the sights of Provence are its fields of lavender and sunflowers. You can’t visit the Provence region without passing by at least one, and they’re truly a must-see.

The “blue gold” is used for soaps, cosmetics, and even cuisine, while the sunflowers are harvested for their oil and seeds. The months between July and August are the best time to see both.

The best lavender destinations? Try Notre-Dame de Senanque, a Cistercian abbey in Gordes surrounded by acres of lavender, or the Valensole Lavender Festival. The best sunflower destinations? On the side of the road!

 

 

 

 

 

 

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For some of the best markets, architecture, cuisine, art, and countryside that France has to offer, don’t miss the Provence region.

Suggested next reading: 10 Beautiful Locations In The French Riviera Worthy Of Your Bucketlist

The post 7 Splendid Reasons To Visit The Provence Region Of France appeared first on Modern Trekker.

1. Nice

Nice can be considered the capital of the French Riviera; a city always on the move, always in celebration, and that will always amaze with its impressive number of English-style pubs, trendy bars, and crowded clubs. Never miss people at any time of the year: it will be the retro charm of the old city, the elegant belle époque style architecture, the languid life that takes place around the port, the many art museums, or the wonderful walks along the sea that will make you fall in love with this city. Nice really is a place to be discovered in every season of the year.

2. Cannes

The most famous city of the Riviera lights up every May for the International Film Festival, assaulted by stars—famous or not—by journalists, photographers and curious, clogging the walks, hotels, and clubs in search of fame. Between expensive hotels, elegant buildings, crowded beaches, you will be a bit dazzled by the lively town. Despite the Croisette—the most exclusive promenade of the French Riviera—being a must-see, Cannes does not excel in originality, though it does make up for it in opulence and showiness. We suggest you explore Le Suquet, the old district, picturesque and pedestrian, after following the allée des Étoile de cinéma, or the path that follows the imprints of the hands of the stars imprinted in the cement.

3. Monaco

The Principality of Monaco is the smallest sovereign state in the world after the Vatican and only 20% of its inhabitants are really Monegasque, thanks to its facilitated tax policy. This small French Riviera town exudes opulence with it high-tech skyscrapers, crowded celebrity yachts, exclusive casinos, and venues that serve sophisticated cocktails. Despite its wealth, there are other parts of the city—hidden corners—that are still rustic and authentic and, in their own ways, are very special places to visit, especially during major occasions such as the Grand Prix Formula 1, which forces one to visit other areas of the city other than just the opulent high-tech skyscrapers, celebrity yachts and lush cocktail-serving venues.

4. Saint Tropez

If once it was a village of outworld charm, today this town is home to yachts and an uninterrupted flow of wealthy people who wear designer clothes in search of a perennial catwalk. Despite its worldly vocation, Saint-Tropez preserves a beautiful citadel with roofs with bright red tiles, a bell tower, and a fascinating historical center.

5. Villefranche-sur-Mer

This magnificent fishing village overlooking a natural inlet is a fourteenth-century village characterized by narrow streets, stairways, and arcades that served as shelter during the war bombing. Villefranche-sur-Mer features many fishing boats swaying on the pier and beautiful views of Cap Ferrat.

6. Port Grimaud

This fishing village is a real, little gem hidden inside high walls that also hide delicious colorful houses that parade along the canals crowded with many kinds of boats. This idea of building on the water was conceived by the architect François Spoerry on the inspiration of the marsh villages with 12 km of docks, 7 km of canals to accommodate up to 3000 boats.

7. Fréjus

The town still bears the signs of its ancient splendor: in fact, it is known as the “little Pompeii” in France, thanks to the numerous Roman remains. The ancient Forum Julii, renamed as a result of the conquest by Julius Caesar, today preserves its ruins in the middle of the pedestrian center, between pastel colors already typically Provencal and the fresh tree-lined squares.

8. Islands of Hyères

Those who want a holiday of the clearest and most crystalline sea cannot miss the islands of Hyères, a real corner of paradise unhindered by the strict rules for visitors. The most famous (and the most equipped)  island is definitely Porquerolles: unforgettable for its colors and its beautiful nature can be explored by bike, on foot along the many marked trails, or with underwater excursions to admire the seabed. If Le Levant is not accessible as a military site, Port-Cros, on the other hand, is a natural park that can be visited only on foot, using different paths, all highly recommended.

9. Antibes and Juan-les-Pins

The town of Antibes and its twin Juan-les-Pins are the emblem of the French Riviera: a small fortified town full of charm, a crystalline sea that enchants, wonderful villas hidden by the lush vegetation of Cap d’Antibes, a rich port of elegant boats and the Picasso Museum, full of works by the great painter. Unsurprisingly Antibes, thanks to its central position between Cannes and Nice, is a first class tourist destination. The old town, with its winding alleyways and its Picasso museum, the aged walls, the harbor where the yachts love to moor, the Fort Carré which dominates the Old Vieil Antibes, the Marina Baie des Anges, and, moreover, not discounting the free municipality of Safranier which offers a perfect postcard landscape all around, explains why Antibes attracts numerous tourists all year round. Together with the renowned Marineland park, with its marine shows, the beaches of Antibes are the most attractive tourist attractions.

10. Les Trois Corniches

To connect Nice and Menton there are 3 parallel roads, all at different levels of height, which run close to the mountain. These are paths of absolute beauty that cross picturesque villages, allowing you to admire breathtaking views, and are ideal for anyone who loves winding roads and adventures.

Road tripping to make the most of the French Riviera experience!

Load the bags in the trunk and leave. The French Riviera has so much to offer from the crystal clear seaside to the picturesque historical little villages. So, what are you waiting for? For the most entertaining and beautiful way to explore the French Riviera, road tripping is the way…it’s the best feeling in the world…even more exciting than the moment when your plane lands after a long flight because there is more physical contact with the journey; when the wheels start spinning, adhering to the asphalt, the world sets in motion around you.

A road trip reveals the subtle changes place-by-place of all that surrounds you, little by little. It enables you to freely explore more every time you enter a different territory, literally discovering it at every meter. Just a window to separate you from the outside world. Nothing is out of reach because it is always fine to stop—when you want, where you want—to get in touch with the outside. Traveling by car is like leaving the trail behind you. What then remains in you is forever; just close your eyes. The French Riviera is one of these road tripping dreams you won’t want to wake up from. Road tripping the French Riviera also helps you catch the most “off the beaten path” locations—and, trust me, there are a LOT of hidden gems around the French Riviera you’ll be thrilled to discover. You won’t regret it!

Suggested next reading: Belgium’s Best Kept Secret Is Jaw-Droppingly Pretty

The post 10 Beautiful Locations In The French Riviera Worthy Of Your Bucketlist appeared first on Modern Trekker.