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- Lindsay Cohn
- Gordes. Gordes is one of the most beautiful small towns in the world, with roads and facades that seem to have sprung from the pages of a children's storybook.
- Saint-Tropez. A French Riviera hotspot put on the map by Bridget Bardot and other members of the jet-set pack in the 1960s, Saint-Tropez still sizzles. Sun-kissed holiday goers crowd glamorous beach clubs here, moor their mega yachts in the harbor, shop for breezy linens at the boutiques, and traipse around the old fishing quarter.
- Abbaye Notre-Dame de Sénanque. Just outside the tourist-trodden center of Gordes lies Abbaye Notre-Dame de Sénanque, a photogenic monastery founded in 1148 by Cistercians monks.
- Île Sainte-Marguerite. Île Sainte-Marguerite floats about half a mile offshore from Cannes. In contrast to its mainland neighbor, the largest of the Lérins Islands is small, slow-paced, and steeped in nature.
- French Riviera Seaside Resorts. The sunny weather, mesmerizing deep-blue sea, and leafy palm trees give the French Riviera a dreamy quality. Also known as the "Côte d'Azur," the French Riviera delivers fabulous beach holidays with a hefty dose of culture.
- Nice: Art Museums and Beaches. One of the highlights of the Côte d'Azur, the town of Nice deserves special mention because of its charming historic city center and amazing art collections: the Matisse Museum, Chagall Museum, Fine Arts Museum, and Museum of Modern and Contemporary Art.
- Aix-en-Provence. To experience the quintessential lifestyle of southern France, visit Aix-en-Provence. This elegant city epitomizes the Provençal region's character with its open-air markets, bustling outdoor cafés, and refreshing fountains that adorn the public squares.
- Historic Monuments in Avignon & Arles. Discover the cultural heritage of Provence in Avignon and Arles. The UNESCO-listed Palais des Papes in Avignon stands as an awe-inspiring testimony to the grandeur of Christendom during the 14th century.
- Toulouse. Toulouse was an unexpected city in the South of France, located inland along the Spanish border. The city has the nickname ‘La Ville Rose’, meaning the pink city due to the pink bricks used to build most of its buildings.
- Marseille. Marseille is the oldest city in Southern France. In fact, it is the oldest city in all of France and it is second in size only to Paris. Located on the Gulf de Lyon, which is part of the Mediterranean Sea, Marseille is the perfect blend of African and French culture.
- Cannes. Who hasn’t heard of Cannes? If you are visiting Southern France and craving a city experience, you must visit Cannes. The city is perhaps the most famous spot on the French Riviera thanks to the glitz and glamour it exudes on an annual basis.
- Nice. Nice is the biggest city on the French Riviera which makes it one of the top places to visit in the South of France. It has the most urban feel out of all the places on our list and is ideal if you want to feel in the middle of all the action.
- Avignon. Avignon, nestled on the banks of the Rhône River in southeastern France, is a stunning city steeped in history and cultural richness. Renowned for its medieval Papal Palace (Palais des Papes), a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and the iconic Avignon Bridge (Pont Saint-Bénézet), the city was once the centre of the Catholic Church under the Avignon Papacy.
- Nice. Nice is a picturesque city on the French Riviera, renowned for its stunning Mediterranean coastline, vibrant culture and historic charm. It is a top destination for summer vacation as it offers a mix of cultural, scenic and leisure activities.
- Aix-en-Provence. Aix-en-Provence is a charming city in the Provence region of southeastern France, famous for its elegant boulevards, historic architecture and artistic heritage as the birthplace of Post-Impressionist painter Paul Cézanne.
- Carcassonne. Carcassonne is a hilltop town and medieval fortress city located in the Occitanie region in southern France. Its most distinctive feature is the Cité de Carcassonne, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, which is a well-preserved medieval citadel with double walls and 53 watchtowers.
- Albi Cathedral, Albi
- Berbie Palace, Albi
- Basilica Saint-Sernin, Toulouse
- Convent of The Jacobins, Toulouse
- Musée Des Augustins
- Citadel of Carcassonne, Carcassonne
- The Canal Du Midi, Carcassonne
- Cathar Castle Ruins, Lastours
- Arenes de Nimes, Nimes
- Maison Caree, Nimes
The historic town of Albi made the UNESCO list in 2010. It’s crowning glory is Albi Cathedral, a must visit landmark in southern France. The mighty Saint Cecilia Cathedralis a 13th century masterpiece of southern Gothic style. Built by the Bishop of Albi, it’s a place of superlatives both inside and out. It’s knicknamed the “crucible of faith. It’s...
The Berbie Palaceis another imposing forties-like building in Albi. Built between 1277 and 1308, it was the home for Albi’s bishops in the middle ages. The structure has an imposing brick keep flanked by four towers. A second keep was added to house the Chapel offer Lady. The palace also houses a museum dedicated to an artist you’ve likely heard of...
Toulouse is a feast for the eyes. It’s a lovely, relaxing city with infinite restaurants, blushing churches, fascinating architecture, and a delicious regional cuisine. READ: Guide To The Top Attractions In Toulouse The city has a UNESCO site to boot, the Basilica Saint Sernin. The basilica is holy ground in Toulouse, a stop on the pilgrimage road ...
Founded in 1215, this monastery is a southern Gothic masterpiece. It’s a prime attraction in Toulouse, and yet still an oasis of peace and quiet. The convent was badly damaged during the French Revolution, but was restored in the 1950s. You can still see some of its 14th century frescos. The adjacent church is exquisite and houses a column that res...
Set in a massive 14th century convent, the Musée des Augustinsis Toulouse’s finest art museum. It was definitely my favorite museum in Toulouse. Musée des Augustins houses a treasure trove of Roman, Gothic, and Renaissance sculpture. And it has an eclectic cache of paintings from the 17th-20th centuries, including art by Rubens, Ingres, Delacroix, ...
Carcassonne is a breathtaking sight that transports you to a 13th century fantasy world. With its towering structures, spiky turrets, sturdy walls, meandering alleyways, and surrounding moats, it truly captivates the imagination. This fortified city is unquestionably one of the top historic landmarks to explore in southern France. For medieval enth...
Just across Carcassone’s Pont Vieux sits the Canal du Midi, another UNESCO World Heritage Site. The canal was a major 17th century feat of engineering, designed during the reign of Louis XIV to link the Mediterranean and the Atlantic. You can stroll along the banks or take a guided boat tours. There’s a quite nice 8 km circular walk of the River Au...
The Cathars were a fastidiously monkish and zealously religious Christian sect. They believed that all earthly things (including themselves) were tainted and sinful. The Cathars aspired only to the purity of early Christianity. They were outraged by the worldliness of the medieval papacy and its debauched Catholic clerics. After a startling rise in...
The town of Nimes was founded as a Roman colony in the 1st century B.C. Nime’s centerpiece, and key reason for visiting, is its fantastic Roman arena. The 20,000 seat Arènes de Nîmeswas built in 70 A.D. It’s a perfectly symmetrical two level stadium. When first built, the arena hosted gladiator fights, animal chases, and even (shudder) executions. ...
While in Nimes, also check out the Maison Carree. It’s a superbly preserved Roman structure known as the “square house.” The house was commissioned by Caesar’s right hand man, Marcus Agrippa, circa 19 B.C. and built by an unknown architect. It’s in the classic Vitruvian style, with elaborate Corinthian columns and decorative motifs. READ: Nutshell ...
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Oct 15, 2023 · Cassis is a small town with a big personality, steeped in tradition and beauty. Related read: The 12 Best Things to Do in Cassis, France. 13. Saint Paul de Vence. High in the hills of the French Riviera, Saint Paul de Vence is one of the oldest medieval towns in the region.
Oct 29, 2023 · Villefranche-Sur-Mer. The picturesque town of Villefranche-sur-Mer is a charming place to visit in the South of France. Located close to Nice and Cannes, its vibe is that of an upmarket French fishing village. It has a scattering of lively harbour restaurants where we ate delicious freshly caught fish.
