Provence & Côte d'Azur

Avignon is deeply embedded in the history of Provence and closely linked to the 14th-century Papacy. This period profoundly shaped the city, leading to the construction of imposing structures that still dominate its skyline today.Avignon's architectural centerpiece is the Palais des Papes, a UNESCO World Heritage site. This Gothic palace, once the papal residence, combines the characteristics of a fortress and a palace, bearing witness to the political and religious power of that era. Equally renowned is the Pont Saint-Bénézet, also known as the Pont d'Avignon, with only a few arches still extending into the river.Beyond these monuments, Avignon is renowned for its vibrant culture. The annual Festival d'Avignon, one of the world's oldest and largest theater festivals, transforms the city into a vibrant stage every summer. It highlights Avignon's role as a hub for contemporary art and tradition, while the Provençal way of life can be experienced through its local markets and regional cuisine.

Gordes, one of the "most beautiful villages in France," boasts a rich history and art tradition that still shapes its architecture and atmosphere today.The village's origins date back to Roman times, but its golden age began in the Middle Ages. Gordes developed into a strategically important fortress, a fact still reflected in its imposing appearance today. The architecture is characterized by massive stone houses and narrow, winding alleys, known as Calades, which snake their way up the hillside. At its center stands Gordes Castle, originally a medieval fortress that was rebuilt during the Renaissance.Local traditions focus heavily on preserving this historical heritage and rural way of life. The surrounding landscape, with its lavender fields and olive groves, has influenced local crafts and regional products for centuries. Gordes' cultural identity is thus inextricably linked to its stone architecture and the Provençal landscape.

Moustiers-Sainte-Marie is nestled in a gorge between two rock faces at the entrance to the Gorges du Verdon. The village's history dates back to the 5th century, when monks from the Lérins Islands founded a monastery here, from which its name derives. During the Middle Ages, the village developed into a regional center for trade and craftsmanship.Its architecture bears witness to this past, such as the Romanesque parish church of Notre-Dame-de-l'Assomption with its Lombard-style bell tower and the narrow streets lined with old stone houses. Its emblem is the golden star, suspended high above the village on a chain between the cliffs. According to legend, the knight Blacas had it placed there as a vow after returning home from captivity during the Crusades.Culturally, Moustiers is especially renowned for its faience. From the late 17th century, workshops emerged here, whose products were sought after throughout France and beyond in the 18th century, initially with blue patterns, later also multi-coloured. After a decline in the 19th century, the tradition was revived starting in 1927; today, several studios are once again operating in the village.

Artists and LightPaul Signac arrived in Saint-Tropez in 1892 by sailboat and stayed. He drew other artists here, including Henri Matisse, who in 1904 worked on his 'Luxe, calme et volupté'. The Musée de l'Annonciade preserves this legacy.Film and MythBrigitte Bardot, and later the Gendarme comedies with Louis de Funès, made the town a film set. The Musée de la Gendarmerie et du Cinéma in the former police building tells this story.The BravadesEvery year in mid-May, Saint-Tropez celebrates its patron saint with the Bravades, a procession with musket shots and historical uniforms, a tradition maintained for centuries.

The Film FestivalThe first film festival took place in Cannes in 1946, and since the 1950s, filmmakers from all over the world have gathered there, usually in May. The main prize is the Golden Palm. Many screenings are reserved for industry professionals, but the hustle and bustle around the Palais is visible to everyone.From Fishing Village to Seaside ResortThe British Lord Brougham settled in Cannes in the 1830s and made the town known among the European aristocracy. Many villas on the city's hills date from this period.The Monks of LérinsOn Saint-Honorat, Saint Honoratus founded a monastery in the early 5th century, which is among the oldest in the Western world and is still inhabited today.

Nice was founded as the Greek settlement Nikaia; the Roman city Cemenelum was located on the Cimiez hill. From 1388, Nice belonged to the House of Savoy, later to the Kingdom of Sardinia-Piedmont, before it was annexed to France in 1860.This history continues to shape the city's character and traditions today. The Old Town, Vieux Nice, with its baroque churches and narrow streets, clearly shows Italian influences. The Belle Époque left behind grand hotels and villas along the Promenade des Anglais and in Cimiez, reflecting the boom in tourism in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. Nice has preserved its own identity, audible in Niçois (Nissart) and visible in festivals like the February Carnival. For a long time, the city has attracted artists, and museums commemorate Henri Matisse and Marc Chagall, who lived and worked here.