Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur

Region · 🇫🇷 France

Population 5,218,960

Area 31,613 km²

Time zone Europe/Paris

Official website maregionsud.fr

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Featured Lists

Z.graber / CC BY-SA 3.0

Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur Unmissables

This collection spans the Roman heritage of Arles and Orange to the high-stakes glamour of Monaco. Highlights include the 14th-century Palais des Papes in Avignon and the UNESCO-listed Arles Amphitheatre. Coastal landmarks range from Cannes' Boulevard de la Croisette to Marseille’s modern MuCEM museum. Inland, the Cistercian Sénanque Abbey and the medieval hilltop village of Les Baux-de-Provence showcase traditional Provençal architecture. The selection also features sites immortalized by Vincent van Gogh, including the Langlois Bridge and the Alyscamps necropolis.

14 places

Sygic Travel User / CC-BY-SA

Editor's Top Picks

This selection showcases the diverse cultural landscape of Antibes and its surroundings. Visit the Port Vauban to see Jaume Plensa’s 'The Nomade,' a monumental sculpture of white metal letters. Explore the neoclassical Villa Eilenroc, designed by the architect of the Paris Opera, or the Église Notre-Dame de la Garoupe, a sailors' chapel known for its maritime ex-votos and panoramic coastal views. For art and social history, the Peynet Museum highlights mid-century illustration, while the Postcard Museum offers a unique look at historical correspondence and storytelling.

5 places

Abxbay / CC BY-SA 3.0

Charming Local Finds

Explore the culinary secrets of Antibes through this selection of tucked-away spots. Start at the Marché Provençal for fresh regional spices and produce, then sample French-Asian fusion at La Cafetière Fêlée. For quick bites, try the sandwiches at La Ferme au Foie Gras or handmade cupcakes at Choopy’s. Dessert options include acclaimed gelato from Gelateria del Porto, while evening highlights feature Italian flavors at Pomodoro’s and a unique drinking experience in the underground Absinthe Bar.

7 places

Provence Heritage Sites

This collection highlights twenty significant historical landmarks across Provence, featuring UNESCO World Heritage sites and Roman antiquities. Key sites include the 14th-century Palais des Papes in Avignon, the exceptionally preserved Roman amphitheaters and theaters in Arles and Orange, and the 12th-century Cistercian architecture of Sénanque Abbey. The list spans from the ancient Greek foundations of Antibes to the medieval fortifications of Tarascon and the 19th-century opera houses of Toulon and Avignon, representing the region's diverse architectural and cultural evolution.

20 places

Religious Heritage of Provence

Provence’s religious landscape is defined by its architectural diversity, ranging from the austere 12th-century Cistercian "Three Sisters of Provence"—Sénanque and Silvacane—to the grand Romanesque portals of St. Trophime in Arles. Significant sites include the fortified Benedictine Montmajour Abbey and the Gothic masterpieces of Avignon. These cathedrals and monasteries showcase centuries of evolution, from early Romanesque structures to Renaissance additions, often built upon Roman foundations or integrated into medieval defensive walls.

20 places

Niels Mickers / CC BY 3.0 nl

Castles and Forts

This collection spans over a millennium of architectural history across Provence and Monaco. It features the 14th-century Palais des Papes in Avignon, the official residence of the Sovereign Prince of Monaco, and the 1st-century Roman Theatre of Arles. The selection ranges from well-preserved fortresses like the Château de Tarascon and Fort Saint-André to 19th-century imperial residences like Palais du Pharo. It also highlights evocative ruins, including the hilltop monastery of Thouzon and the clifftop Forteresse de Mornas.

16 places

Jpbazard / CC BY-SA 3.0

Beaches and Coasts

This selection spans the French Riviera's diverse coastline, from the expansive five-kilometer stretch of Pampelonne in Saint-Tropez to the protected bays of Porquerolles Island. It includes urban family-friendly coves in Toulon, historic spots in Saint-Tropez’s old town, and secluded naturist locations beneath the cliffs of Cap Sicié. The list also highlights unique geological features like the ochre sands of the Colorado Provençal, providing a guide to the region's varied sandy shores, rocky inlets, and clear Mediterranean waters.

14 places

Christophe.Finot / CC BY-SA 2.5

Viewpoints and Peaks

This selection spans the diverse topography of Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur, from the maritime heights of Cannes' Le Suquet to the 1,912-meter limestone summit of Mont Ventoux. The list includes medieval fortifications like Fort Saint-André and the Forteresse de Mornas, which offer strategic views over the Rhône and Vaucluse. Alpine highlights feature the Grand Belvédère du Mont Viso and technical climbing cliffs in the Écrins National Park, providing varied perspectives on the region's geological and historical heritage.

12 places

Architectural Landmarks

This collection spans millennia of construction in Provence and the Côte d'Azur. It features UNESCO-listed Roman monuments in Arles, including a 1st-century amphitheater and theatre. Modern engineering is represented by Marseille’s MuCEM and the industrial bascule bridge of La Seyne-sur-Mer. Medieval history is preserved through defensive structures like the Suquet Tower in Cannes and the fortified gates of Manosque. The list also includes Vincent van Gogh’s painted drawbridge and traditional public fountains that have served local communities for centuries.

17 places

Roroggogo / CC BY-SA 4.0

Nature and Water Wonders

This collection features the diverse hydrological and geological landscapes of Southeastern France and the surrounding Alps. It highlights the 42-meter Cascade de Sillans, the powerful Fontaine de Vaucluse karst spring, and the debris-covered Glacier Noir in the Écrins massif. The selection also includes high-altitude shelters like the rock-perched Refuge du Promontoire, the limestone cliffs of the Baronnies Provençales, and the coastal caves of the Calanques.

13 places

Regional Culinary Delights

This collection showcases the diverse gastronomy of Provence and the French Riviera, from the three-Michelin-starred Le Louis XV in Monte Carlo to the organic, garden-to-table cuisine of La Chassagnette in Arles. The selection features authentic seafood specialists in Hyères, traditional Camargue estates, and rustic bistros in the Luberon. These establishments highlight regional staples like bouillabaisse, wood-fired pizza, and seasonal produce sourced directly from local gardens and Mediterranean waters.

20 places