Choose from 69 Fun Things to Do in Provence
La Canebiere
La Canebiere is Marseille's Champs Elysees. Modelled on the famous Parisian boulevard, it is a wide stretch leading straight up from Vieux Port (Old Port) for about 3/4 mile (1 km). it does not quite have the elegance of the Champs Elysees being a little more a hotch-potch of shops, hotels, and restaurants, but it is a great place to get the feel of the city. Named after the city's thriving trade is nautical rope in the Middle Ages - canabe being the French word for cannabis or hemp from which the rope was made - the street is now the spine of the thriving city.
La Canebiere acts as a divider between different city districts. To its west there is the modern shopping mall Centre Bourse, to the south is the moneyed district, and to the north you'll find the quartier Belsunce where you can buy just about anything from the local Arab community if you're prepared to haggle with the street-traders. Behind the Centre Bourse is the Jardin des Vestiges, the ancient port center. Excavations here have turned up all sorts of things including bits of the 3rd century BC Greek city. Most of the finds, and an old Roman trading boat, can be seen in the Musee d'Histoire de Marseille in the Centre Bourse. Further up the street is the Musee de la Marine (in the stock exchange building) which has the nautical history of Marseille.
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La Canebiere runs in a straight line up from Vieux Port, the Old Port. Catch the metro to Vieux Port and walk up the boulevard. Alternately start in the middle at metro station Noailles. Or you can hop of the new tram, inaugurated in 2007 and head to Canebiere Garibaldi station. The Musee d'Histoire is open Mon-Sat, the Musee de la Marine is open Wed-Sun.
La Corniche
Along the way sits the Maregraph Building, which took measurements over thirteen years to determine France’s sea level elevation. The bench of La Corniche runs three kilometers between the Pont de la Fausse-Monnaie and Hotel Sofitel Palm Beach, making it the longest bench in the world. Part of the roadway is named after President Kennedy, who was assassinated during its construction.
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Pont de Gau Ornithological Park (Parc Ornithologique du Pont de Gau)
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Cape Canaille
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Nimes
Moustiers Ste-Marie
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Marseilles Cruise Port
- Shore excursions typically include port pickup and drop-off.
- Small-group and private tours are often covered by a worry-free policy, offering guaranteed on-time return to your ship.
- Marseilles cruise terminals are spread out over a large area, so be sure that you know which terminal your ship arrives and departs from.
Monastère St Paul-de-Mausole
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Manosque
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Rhone Valley Region
Because the long region runs north to south along the river's path, there are two separate sub-regions. The northern of the two are greatly affected by the Massif Central mountain range, and this the soil is tougher and the temperature swings are greater from season to season. The southern sub-region, on the other hand, is generally more mild throughout the year, but daily temperature swings are a factor in the terroir; its pebbly soil helps to retain the heat of the day to protect the vines at night.
The Cotes du Rhone classification is popular worldwide; surely you've seen this on your own wine store shelves, and there are great deals to be had with these labels, particularly the Cote du Rhone AOC. If you see “ Cotes du Rhone” on the label along with the words “Villages AOC” and a village name – for example, Saint-Gervais or Laudun – then you're in for a real treat, as these are a cut above your average Rhone wines. But the highest level also known as the “crus,” will simply be a village name and the acronym AOC, which stands for appellation d'origine contrôlée. A good example of this is the Chateauneuf-du-Pape AOC; it is a Rhone Valley wine, but its name is enough as to not need further explanation on its label.
Chateau d'If
The Basics
For a holistic introduction to Marseille's rich history, combine your visit to Château d'If with a sightseeing tour or shore excursion of Marseille city, a jewel in the coastal crown of the French Riviera. Tick off Cathedrale de la Major, Notre-Dame de la Garde church, and Fort Saint-Jean before a guided tour of Château d'If. For travelers that prefer to explore independently, a Marseille city pass (valid for 24, 48, or 72 hours) covers your entry and boat ride to Château d'If, in addition to admission to 13 of Marseille's museums and a free walking tour.
If you've got limited time in Provence, a full-day cruise from Marseille to Cassis comes highly recommended — the panoramic views of the Côte d'Azur, the Gulf of Cassis, and the rocky promontories of the Marseille calanques reveal themselves in sun-drenched splendor. Afterwards, enjoy a guided tour of Château d'If that reveals the fortress' history.
- A visit to the fortress is ideal for history and literature enthusiasts.
- Audio guides are available in 11 languages.
- Take a packed lunch or book a tour with an included meal, as only ice cream and drinks are available to purchase on the island of If.
- If venturing to If independently, put aside three hours to cover the round-trip journey from Marseille and the fortress and island tour.
How to Get to Château d'If
From Vieux Port in Marseille, the Frioul If Express departs every hour, with the last departure from Marseille running at 4:05pm. The journey only takes 20 minutes and offers beautiful views of the Mediterranean's Frioul archipelago, which, in addition to If island, includes the islands of Pomegues and Ratonneau.
When to Get There
Château d'If is open between 10am and 6pm throughout the year but closed on Mondays. Due to its coastal location, it is more pleasant to visit on a warm and sunny afternoon. The summer months of June through September are prime for their warm climate and balmy coastal breeze.
Les Saintes Maries de la Mer
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Marseille Cathedral (Cath edrale La Major)
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Palace of the Popes (Palais des Papes)
- Entry to the palace is via paid ticket.
- Children under 8 enter for free.
- An interactive Histopad guide device is included in the admission price.
- Prebook a guided tour to skip the entry line.
- The palace is not suitable for wheelchair users.
- Visitors can stop for a drink at the rooftop cafe.
Lake of Sainte-Croix
- The three villages around the lake—Sainte-Croix-du-Verdon, Bauduen, and Les Salles-sur-Verdon—all offer various accommodation and dining options.
- Summer temperatures regularly reach 80°F (27°C), so be sure to bring sun protection.
- Booking tours and accommodation in advance is highly recommended, especially during the peak summer season.
Pont du Gard
- Pont du Gard is a must for history enthusiasts.
- Wear comfortable shoes; you’ll spend a lot of time on your feet as you explore the site.
- Bring a swimsuit so you can paddle, sunbathe, and even canoe in the Gardon river.
- With flat paths and adapted buildings, much of the Pont du Gard complex is wheelchair accessible.
Chateauneuf-du-Pape
- The legal drinking age in France is 18, but many wineries offer grape juice or nonalcoholic alternatives for children or nondrinkers.
- Wear comfortable walking shoes—the streets of Châteauneuf-du-Pape are cobbled and steep in places.
- The Tourist Information Office in Châteauneuf-du-Pape offers maps and information on wine tasting in the region.
- In the village of Châteauneuf-du-Pape, there are a number of wine cellars where you can enjoy wine tasting without having to book, even in high season.
Espace Van Gogh
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Rhône River
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Marseille Vieux Port (Old Port)
- Marseille Vieux Port is a must for sightseers and foodies.
- Come hungry: There are lots of waterfront restaurants where you can dine on bouillabaisse (fish stew) and enjoy views of the boats coming and going from the harbor.
- Many of the port’s attractions, including MuCEM and Fort Saint-Jean, are wheelchair accessible.