Enviable landscapes beautiful enough to capture the attention of Impressionist masters, immediate gratification of Chateauneuf-du-Pape wines, top of market hotels tucked away in hilltop locations, and a gastronomy with many of our favorite plates: tapenade, aioli, Bouillabaisse, salade nicoise, and ratatouille, the area envelopes you with her grace, style, and warmth of the sunshine of southern France.
Minimally Provence deserves a week of your time to get to know this beautiful place.
For one who has studied Italian culture and history for decades, it has been easy sync with the rhythm of Provence, since the history of Provence follows that of the trade routes and of Italy.
During the 7-6th C BC, began the arrivals from the sea faring people: the Greeks, Etruscans, Phoenicians, Iberians, and Ligurians .Familiar names in found in Italian history in Sicily, Puglia, Toscana, Sardegna, and Liguria.
This area of France was known as “Provincia” by the Romans, or the Province, now known as La Provence.
Arles- Saint- Remy-du-Provence- Les Baux-de-Provence
Do not miss Arles –where Van Gogh lived 1888-1889, and during his stay painted over 187 paintings. Paul Gauguin came to visit Van Gogh during his time in Arles too. It was the light that which captivated the painters eyes. For those travelers who wish to follow in his footsteps in Arles, there is a Van Gogh route one can follow within and near Arles as far south as the famous Bridge of Langlois, and exhibited in the paintings called the Café du Forum and Folies-Arlesiennes to name a few.
Arles is a beautiful and interesting town, with 52,000 inhabitants the first settlers being the Romans who made Arles the provincial capital. There is a large Roman coliseum in the center of Arles dating from 90 AD and which held 21,000 spectators. The arena today is still used for bull fighting. The city is a delight to visit , located on the Rhone river which snakes its way from the Rhone Glacier in Valais in the Swiss Alps to Marseille. This river journey from inception to end is over 800 KM. Rich as a tourist destination with interesting shops to wander past, and plenty of culture to experience and, just to live the Provençal way.
For those still interested in Van Gogh, on the way from Arles to Saint-Remy-Du-Provence, one can also visit the Saint Paul de Mausole monastery which was the mental hospital where Van Gogh was taken after he cut off his ear, located just south of Saint- Remy-de-Provence village.Happens to be a beautiful appy with cloister worthy of a visit.
A must see in the area is the Provencal village of Saint- Remy-du-Provence northeast from Arles. This village will undoubtedly charm you, and forsaking any lure of the sea, you will be captivated to stay, ponder, and discover the peace in living a village life. One could easily stay here a few days to explore the shops, dining, history and hike Les-Baux-de-Provence.
For history enthusiasts, nearby, the 6th C Gallo-Greek historic site of Glanum can be visited located at the footsteps of the Alpilles- (a small chain of low mountains in Provence). Once Gallic and later Roma, the town was founded due to the availability of a permanent spring. The Romans eventually gave the residents of Glanum latin rights and some citizenship. The Germanic invasions brought sacking and the town was destroyed and stones were removed to use in Saint-Remy. Over time the ancient city was buried under 8 meters of of Alluvium , in 1921 excavations began to “ find” Glanum again. Allow a few hours to enjoy this amazing site.
For such a small village, one of the famous personalities hailing from Saint-Remy in Provence, was Nostradamus, an astrologer who in the 1500’s, when astrology came into fashion, was born and later was educated in Avignon. Centuries later his beliefs in the stars alignment, and his book The Complete Prophecies of the Seer, are still shocking the world with his forecast. Also the Du Sade family came from this villa, yes “ the” Marquis du Sade but we will leave that one alone.
Finally as you drive north east from Arles towards Avignon- we suggest that you stay at any of the wonderful classic farms called “ Mas” near the massif called Le Baux de Provence which is considered one of the most beautiful villages in all of France. In short Les Baux . They have found traces of human inhabitation from the early bronze age 6000 years ago. The town is part of the Parc naturel des Alpilles, and received 1,500,000 visitors a year. Plan your visit accordingly to beat the crowds. There are fabulous hotels in this area, taking advantage of the spectacular views and Mediterranean climate, it is a win no matter how you choose to tour here.