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When the papacy returned to Rome, French cardinals elected Robert de Genève as Pope Clement VII, creating a split in the Church until 1417.

Pope Clement V relocated to Avignon in 1309 to escape strife-torn Rome, the first of a succession of nine French pontiffs who were to reside in the Provençal town. In 1348 Clement VI bought the city and Avignon remained the seat of the papacy until 1377 (see Palais des Papes).

This vast expanse of salt marshes, lagoons and grazing land, home to rare bird and animals species, is protected within the Parc National de Camargue and other conservation areas (see The Camargue).

Riddling the wall of rock which dominates the medieval village, these caves were first home to prehistoric folk and, later, provided refuge against marauding Saracens. Most startling, however, is a cave on the north side of the village, transformed by a 16th-century nobleman into a four-storey, fortified house. The Renaissance frontage, staircases and windows cut out of the stone can still be seen. A spring within the caves creates a cascade which waters gardens below.

Symbolizing Christ and the Apostles, the climax of the Christmas Eve meal includes dried fruit and griddle cakes.

In 1486 King René of Naples, the last of the Anjou dynasty who ruled Provence from 1246, died without issue, and most of the region became part of France. Nice and the Alpes Maritimes, however, remained part of the Kingdom of Savoy, before finally passing to France in 1860.

Another Roman gem, discovered in 1907 (see Vaison-la-Romaine).

One of the best preserved Roman towns in Provence (see Vaison-la-Romaine).

Two streams merge at St-Martin-Vésubie to form the River Vesubie, which flows through landscapes of pinewoods, flower meadows, forested peaks and narrow canyons to join the Var 24 km (15 miles) north of Nice. The valley is dotted with attractive villages, and the river is at its most scenic where it passes through the Gorges de la Vesubie, a canyon of coloured rock walls.

High in the Parc National de Mercantour (see Parc National du Mercantour), this valley shelters a treasury of Bronze Age art (see Vallée des Merveilles, Mercantour National Park). Rock carvings are scattered over the slopes of the 2,870-m (9,400-ft) Mont Bégo, and date from 1800–1500 BC. They are almost impossible to find without a guide, but the less energetic can see fascinating examples in the excellent Musée des Merveilles at Tende.