DK Travel : Provence and Côte d'Azur

Provence’s top sights span the region’s rich and varied history, from Roman arenas, isolated abbeys, and the palace of the medieval popes, to the more recent opulence of the belle époque era and the glamorous resorts beloved of the 20th-century jet set. Sunsoaked beaches, pretty villages nestled among lavender fields and a mountainous hinterland have inspired generations of artists, and continue to enchant every visitor to the area.

1. Palais des Papes

The honey-coloured walls and towers of this medieval palace, the seat of 14th-century pontiffs, dominate the delightful town of Avignon (see Palais des Papes).
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2. Grand Canyon du Verdon

The Verdon river flows through deep limestone gorges into the turquoise Lac de Ste-Croix, creating one of Provence’s, most stunning natural landscapes (see Grand Canyon du Verdon).
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3. Roman Arles

Arles was one of the Roman Empire’s most important cities, and its splendid arena still evokes the age of Caesar (see Roman Arles).
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4. Aix-en-Provence

Cosmopolitan Aix is packed with fascinating museums and historic buildings. Nearby Mont Ste-Victoire inspired one of the greatest Provençal painters, Paul Cézanne (see Aix-en-Provence).
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5. Vieux Nice

Nice is a lively and sophisticated city, but its Old Town retains a quieter, authentic character (see Vieux Nice).
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6. St-Tropez

Pretty and chic St-Tropez, with its yacht-filled harbour and gorgeous beaches, is the place to see and be seen on the Provençal coast (see St-Tropez).
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7. The Camargue

Vast lagoons inhabited by wading flamingoes, and plains where native black bulls roam, are just part of the unique, protected landscape that is the Camargue (see The Camargue).
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8. Vaison-la-Romaine

A treasury of archaeological finds has been unearthed in this small town, once one of Provence’s most important Roman sites (see Vaison-la-Romaine).
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9. Abbaye Notre-Dame de Sénanque

The great Cistercian abbey is a wonderful example of Romanesque religious architecture (see Abbaye Notre-Dame de Sénanque).
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10. Casino de Monte Carlo

Walk in the footsteps of princes, courtesans and film stars at the Riviera’s most dazzling example of 19th-century grandeur (see Casino de Monte Carlo).
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