Our Provence Tours

Provence is the region directly north and to the northwest of The Riviera. It was once settled by the Romans who gave it its name and who left their legacy here in the form of a number of Roman sites. However, there is much more a France vacation can reveal about this region, with its colourful countryside, varied traditions, wine, and food. 

Things to do on a Provence Vacation

Aix-en-Provence

Aix-en-Provence is a delightful town with leafy squares housing 17th and 18th Century mansions. Part of the old town is pedestrian-only. The Cours Mirabeau is a wide avenue with lots of cafés. There is an attractive old Cathedral and an impressive Hotel de Ville. The town is often referred to as the city of a thousand fountains, and they can indeed be seen everywhere here while on France tours.  

Avignon

Avignon is one of the most historic cities in Provence. The Rhone River runs through the middle of the city and is the site of the famous “Pont d'Avignon” which was built originally in the 12th Century and which today only reaches halfway across the river as it collapsed in the 17th Century. In the heart of the city is the Pope's Palace, an architectural gem, the largest Gothic palace in Europe and once a temporary home to several popes from the Vatican. It provides amazing views of the city and surrounding area. On trips to France, the Festival d’Avignon, taking place in July, is one of the biggest performing arts festivals in the world, a celebration of music, dance and drama to be enjoyed on a France vacation. 

Arles

Arles is a very attractive, well-preserved medieval walled town with interesting narrow streets where both Picasso and Van Gogh spent time living and painting. It was the capital in Roman times and became a major religious centre in the Middle Ages. The Roman amphitheatre is one of the most impressive stone theatres from Roman times built in the 1st Century BC originally holding 10,000 spectators. Today the amphitheatre is used for Spanish-style bullfights as well as cultural shows. 

Nimes 

Nimes has a rich history going back to the Roman Empire. Several important remains from that time can still be seen in and around Nimes such as the amphitheatre, the best preserved in France built around 100 BC. It was an arena that once held 24,000 spectators and staged gladiatorial contests. It is still used today as a bullfighting and concert arena. The Maison Carree (Square House) is a small Roman temple built around 19 BC and is one of the best-preserved Roman temples anywhere. The 18th Century Jardins de la Fontaine (Gardens of the Fountain) is built around the Roman remains.

Pont du Gard

Nearby is the Pont du Gard, a well-preserved Roman aqueduct and a 50-kilometre/31-mile-long bridge system that was used to carry water across the river valley. It is the highest of all elevated Roman aqueducts and a UNESCO World Heritage site which can be visited on trips to France. 

The Camargue

The Camargue, Western Europe's largest river delta, is cut off from the sea and is a huge area of wetlands consisting of lagoons and ponds. It is home to more than 400 species of birds which includes the greater flamingo. It is also famous for bulls and the Camargue wild horses who roam freely.

Orange

Orange is a city best known for its Roman monuments but it offers many other sites of interest while on a France vacation. The Roman monuments include an Ancient Theatre, one of the best-preserved Roman monuments in France and a Triumphal Arch, which is also well-preserved. The Municipal Museum houses many artifacts from the excavations carried out around Orange. The Cathedral of Notre-Dame-de-Nazareth in Orange dates back to the 4th Century, although rebuilt in the 12th Century. It is Romanesque in style with various decorations inside by Italian painters.

"Globetrotting with Goway" blog articles

For some additional reading, the following articles are from our blog “Globetrotting with Goway”….. a great source of information for those people who are, or who want to be, world travellers! 

Six Most Gorgeous Places to Visit on Spring Getaways

Eating Your Way Through a France Vacation

Explore Host Nations of the World Football Stage

France vs Italy: Which Cultural Marvel is the Right European Vacation for You?

Unique Views and An Unforgettable Journey on Your France Vacation

Extend your Stay

Consider an additional stopover to your France Tours on one of Goway's other European tours. You can also choose from a London vacation, an Amsterdam vacation or a Belgium vacation. This can be done stopping over en route to or from France.