Marseille and western Provence

From Marseille to the Spanish border, western Provence has much to offer to the art enthusiast and the curious traveller. The area, once home of Greek settlements, such as the ancient Massalía which we know now as Marseille, was one of the wealthiest Roman provinces, and many traces of that glorious past survive today in the many Roman structures still visible in Nîmes, Orange, Arles and so on.

But the rich history of western Provence is not limited to Antiquity: from the Provençal-Catalan culture of the Middle ages to the Papacy in Avignon, from the French Revolution with is La Marseillaise anthem to being the retreat of many among the greatest artists of the 19th and 20th century, this part of Southern 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, which can provide you a pleasant, relaxing, and unorthodox voyage across over twenty centuries of great culture.