Provence Activities

Worth getting out of bed for

Highlights the best Provence has to offer, from art and culture to fun-packed activities; we've even found the most inspiring place to enjoy the views from.

Provence itinerary

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Viewpoint

There’s a wonderful view towards the Camargue from the battlements of the fortress in Les Baux-de-Provence. In summer, go early in the morning to avoid the crowds.

Arts and culture

The 20,000-seat Roman amphitheatre in Nîmes doubles as a bullring and theatre venue. Nîmes’ beautiful Maison Carrée temple occupies the site of the old Roman forum. Arles has an equally impressive amphitheatre, also used for hosting cultural events. Just outside Les Baux-de-Provence, Cathédrale d’Images is a huge cave in which famous artworks related to the area are projected onto its walls (www.cathedrale-images.com).

Something for nothing

Vincent Van Gogh painted almost 200 paintings during the year or so he spent in Arles. Many of the spots where he worked are marked by a series of panels dotted around the city.

Shopping

Uzès, north of Nîmes, has a Saturday market selling home-making goodies, from honey to linen quilts. Rue de la Madeleine in Nîmes is great for window-shopping. Buy slabs of nougat, almond-paste callisons and pastries from Maison Villaret and costume jewellery from Météorite. Aix-en-Provence has a wide range of design boutiques on Rue Fabrot, and a fantastic food market every day on Place Richelme.

Daytripper

Montpellier is one of the most energetic and prosperous cities of Mediterranean France. The vast Place de la Comédie is a good starting point for an exploration.

Activities

The best way to see the Camargue is gardian-style, on horseback: go to www.promenadedesrieges.com for details. Kayak down the Gardon river to the towering Roman aqueduct of Le Pont du Gard, with Kayak Vert in Collias (+33 (0)4 66 22 80 76).