From Marseille to the Spanish border, southwest France has much to offer to art enthusiasts and curious travelers. The area roughly stretches from Marseille, the second-largest city of France, to Perpignan and includes two regions – Occitanie to the west and the western part of Provence to the east. In ancient times, it was the home of Greek settlements, such as the ancient Massalía which we know now as Marseille, and thereafter one of the wealthiest provinces of the Roman Empire; many traces of that glorious past survive today, such as the many monumental Roman buildings still visible in Nîmes, Orange, and Arles, for example.
But the rich history of this portion of the Midi is not limited to Antiquity: from the Provençal-Catalan culture of the Middle ages and the Avignon Papacy in the 14th century to the French Revolution with its La Marseillaise anthem and the great artists of the 19th and 20th century who chose this part of the Mediterranean coast as their favorite retreat, this part of France has been, and still is, one of the most culturally vibrant regions of Europe.
Our advice: along with the largest cities, take your time to visit also the countryside and smaller towns, such as Ceret and Rivesaltes, which can provide you a pleasant, relaxing, and unorthodox voyage across over twenty centuries of great culture.
Cover image: the Mucem Museum in Marseille; © Lisa Ricciotti – Rudy Ricciotti – Roland Carta

Carré d’Art musée d’art contemporain | Nîmes

Carré Sainte-Anne | Montpellier

Château La Coste winery and art center, Le Puy-Sainte-Réparade

Fondation Vasarely | Aix-en-Provence

Le Corbusier, Unité d’Habitation – Cité Radieuse, Marseille

Mucem museum, Marseille

Musée Arles Antique

Musée d’art moderne et contemporain de Céret

Musée de la Romanité, Nîmes

Musée du Petit Palais | Avignon

Musée Fabre | Montpellier

Rivesaltes Memorial and Museum

Villa Méditerranée – Cosquer Cave | Marseille

Renzo Piano’s exhibition pavilion at Château La Coste, southern France

Marseille | The design of the 24H Architecture
copyright Inexhibit 2023 - ISSN: 2283-5474