Provence Towns  For the best towns and villages in France the area of Provence is tough to rival.  Maybe the Dordogne can better it in terms of overall charm, but for historical significance, towns in Provence have no equal in the whole of France.  The closeness of Italy is reflected strongly, with towns such as Avignon showing the influence of the Church in Rome and many examples of Roman architecture throughout the region.

Arles  A splendid town combining Roman heritage and art.
 

Location: Set on the banks of the Rhône River just before the Parc Naturel Régional de Camargue.
Description: Arles has wonderful churches, museums, Roman ruins (theatre, baths and forum) and a Roman arena.  It is also where Vincent van Gogh lived and painted during the last months of his life.
Our recommendations: If you’re an art lover, visit the Fondation Vincent van Gogh in the Palais de Luppe. The town can easily be explored on foot and your enjoyment can be enhanced by following either one of five walking trails or by taking a land train tour (perhaps a bit more fun for children). If you are planning to visit the Roman monuments on your tour it is worth buying a combined ‘Pass Monuments’ ticket.nts it may be better value to buy a combined admission ticket.
For the children: On May 1st each year, the town sponsors a rodeo called the Fête des Gardians, and during Easter weekend and at other times throughout the year, the town holds bullfights in its Roman arena (the bulls are not killed). Other cultural events include the Arles Festival of traditional parades, dances and songs in late June - early July.

             - Aix-en-Provence
             - Avignon
             - Arles
             - Nîmes

Also worth a visit are Uzès (classical Renaissance architecture) and Fontaine de Vaucluse (ancient water wheels, five museums, artists' studios and the Moulin à Papier paper mill).  And check out our Roman section.

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