If you are planning a trip to the South of France (or just dreaming about it), here are 7 spectacular architectural sites in Provence, France not to miss.

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1. Spectacular Sites in Provence, France: the Pont du Gard

First on this list of spectacular sites in Provence, France is the Pont du Gard, a magnificent example of ancient architecture and one of the most awe-inspiring Roman sites in the area (in perhaps all of France?). The Pont du Gard is an aqueduct built to transport water from a spring in nearby Uzès to serve the bustling Roman town of Nîmes, which in the 1^st century A.D. had a population of 20,000.  You can visit the site and view the ancient aqueduct from several angles, plus take in the beautiful view. There is a fee to enter the site and for an additional fee, you can walk across the top level of the aqueduct. The Pont du Gard crosses the Gardon river, and many people take the opportunity to picnic and swim right at the base.

2. Les Arènes de Nîmes

Nîmes (pronounced neem) is a true treasure for the architecture enthusiast where one can visit Roman, Romanesque, Gothic, 17^th century and modern architecture all within a short radius. The Arènes is the best-preserved colosseum in Continental Europe. It seated 24,000 in its day and nowadays, concerts are held here year-round.

3. La Maison Carrée

La Maison Carrée in Nîmes was modeled on the Temple to Apollo in Rome. It is adorned with splendid marble columns supporting a graceful pediment.  It is as much a temple to the architectural sublime, with its purity of line, rich ornamentation, symmetry and perfect proportions. Built around 5BC as a temple dedicated to Caius Caesar and his grandson, it now hosts temporary art and photo exhibitions. Directly across the plaza is the Carré d’Art, (the Art Square) which houses a library, archives and the Musée d’Art Contemporain (Contemporary Art Museum) and was designed by Sir Norman Foster in 1993. It mimics the Maison Carrée with its proportions, symmetry and columns although in a modern glass and steel construction.

4. Cathedral of Notre-Dame and St-Castor

4.) Constructed in 1096, the Cathedral of Notre-Dame and St-Castor is both Romanesque and Gothic in style.  It was badly damaged by protestants in the 16^th century Wars of Religion and was repaired in the 19^th century. Worth seeing are the 4^th century sarcophagus and a glorious 17^th century chapel in the apse.

5. Abbaye Notre Dame de Sénanque

Among the most spectacular sites of Provence, France, the Abbaye Notre Dame de Sénanque, built in 1148, is a remarkably beautiful monastery, close to the hilltop town of Gordes. Arriving when the lavender fields are in bloom makes the hassle of summer crowds and heat worth it. With a history of thriving and in decline, the monastery is still active today.  We arrived just in time for Vespers and even if you aren’t religious, it was a moving and spiritual experience.

6. Château des-Baux-de-Provence

While we sometimes think of « château » as a word for the wonderful fairy tale castles found in the Loire Valley and other parts of Europe, the Château des-Baux-de-Provence is a 12^th century medieval fortress castle. The town of Les-Baux-de-Provence is among the spectacular sites in Provence, France: full of charm, perched high up on top of a hill in the Alpilles. As you wind your way up through the narrow cobblestone streets, you reach the imposing and enormous castle, firmly built into the mountain. A treat for visitors is that many aspects of medieval castle life have been recreated, complete with leather working, metal working and even the stocks! The breathtaking views which overlook seemingly all of Provence highlight the castle’s impenetrable location, ideal for medieval times, with commanding fields of fire.  

7. Musée de Bonbon Haribo

A lesser known stop (it wasn’t in any of our guide books: we stumbled upon it) but well worth the detour is the Musée de Bonbon Haribo in Uzès (the Haribo Candy Museum), an entire museum dedicated to Haribo candy, is nothing less than pure joy. The museum’s architecture and design are delightful; adorned with clear, colorful signage which take you through the history of Haribo, candy, sugar and plenty of other interesting facts. The museum is very interactive with videos, games and of course candy dispensers. The end of the tour leads right into an enormous shop with every kind of candy one can dream of, packaged in a range of sizes from small individual packets to 5 lb. bags. Needless to say, we stocked up on gummy bears which we are still enjoying!

How to Prepare for a trip to the South of France?

How to prepare? Before you even begin to visualize yourself among the sun-drenched lavender fields and picturesque vineyards, you must, must read Peter Mayle’s book, “A Year in Provence”. It is an utterly charming and witty account of his adventures as an ex-pat with his wife and dogs as they purchase a home in Provence and renovate it, while a cast of characters teach them the ins and outs of Provençal life. I highly recommend Fodor’s Travel “Provence and the French Riviera” as a guidebook.

When to go to Provence, France?

When to go? Because we have children, summer was the only choice for us. That being said, yes, it was crowded but it wasn’t stifling. We were usually able to find parking, sometimes paid, sometimes free. We didn’t have trouble being seated at restaurants and we were able to see attractions. July and August are definitely the high season: not just throngs of international tourists but much of France is on vacation during that time as well. The heat was extreme at times but that is what ice cream is for!

Getting Around to See the Spectacular Sites of Provence, France

Getting around?  A rental car is a must when visiting the spectacular sites of Provence, France. Part of the magic is meandering through the vineyards and lavender fields along the small country roads. Even though we went in the height of the tourist season, we were generally able to find parking, although often it is paid parking. The one caveat was Avignon. Because of the Festival d’Avignon, it was virtually impossible to find a place to park, even far outside the city walls. If you plan on going to visit Avignon during the month of July, get there early or stay nearby!

Where to Stay to see the spectacular sites of Provence, France?

Where to stay? I cannot recommend VRBO enough. They had a wonderful selection of homes and we ended up finding a beautiful quintessential “Mas” Provençal, complete with pool and enough beds for our very large family. Most of all though, their customer service is amazing. I booked a home and realized, within the cancellation window, that the configuration wouldn’t work for our crew. The owners wouldn’t refund my money, so I called VRBO for help. They answered right away (no long hold times) and the matter was resolved within 24hours.

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