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.

Aix-En-Provence
 

Location: Adjacent to the A8 autoroute north of Marseille.
General Info: Aix Website.
Description: Once a Roman spa town Aix is known for romantic streets, stately houses and Art -  impressionist painter Cézanne was born there, and artists still fall in love with the place and never leave.  Aix also hosts some splendid markets with the largest market days being Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday.

Our recommendations: One of the highlights of Aix are the Cézanne Walks which take you past the painter's studio which has been renovated to look the way it did when the artist was alive.  For details on possible art appreciation walks contact the tourist information centre or visit this web link.

An artists paradise!

             - 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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