From the owner: Une rue historique Cette rue est représentative de l'histoire de la ville. Située entre la rue…read moreGuillaume Puy, et la rue Bonneterie, elle accueille de nombreux théâtres et restaurants. Un endroit agréable, à l'écart de la vie citadine.

was not really impressed by this town, i thought aix en provence had a nicer historical arearead more

From the owner: La plus grande commune de France Eh oui, cela surprend, mais c'est bel et bien vrai. Même si elle…read moreest, par sa population la 3è ville des Bouches du Rhône, elle est la commune la plus étendue. Son territoire passe de la Crau, aux Alpilles et à la Camargue. Au delà de ces paysages, Arles affiche aujourd'hui encore le plus grand nombre de monuments romains, juste après Rome. Arles offre un exemple intéressant d'adaptation d'une cité antique à la civilisation de l'Europe médiévale. Elle conserve d'impressionnants monuments romains dont les plus anciens - arènes, théâtre antique, cryptoportiques - remontent au Ier siècle av. J.-C. Elle connut au IVe siècle un second âge d'or dont témoignent les thermes de Constantin et la nécropole des Alyscamps. Aux XIe et XIIe siècles, Arles redevint une des plus belles villes du monde méditerranéen. À l'intérieur des murs, Saint-Trophime avec son cloître est un des monuments majeurs de l'art roman provençal. Deux manifestations majeures rythment les

I meant to visit the Château d'if on a Monday but it was closed and ended up at Îles du Frioule…read morehiking around and viewing amazing sights. I'm not sure what used to lay beyond the harbor but the seemingly old military buildings are all but crumbled. The hike around the island requires comfortable boots and if the seas are rough being a wind breaker. I was soaked by a rogue wave on the boat ride over! There isn't much beyond the initial row of restaurants except for a few abandoned basketball and tennis courts. Most of the restaurants have similar food and wifi available. Don't expect much in the off season for quality but you will find a friendly host. If you're an outdoor adventurer be sure to add Îles du Frioule on your list of things to see!

This tiny archipelago consists of four islands: Omègues, Ratonneau, If and Tiboulen and is right…read moreoff the shore of the Vieux Port, only a short 45 minute boat ride away. The islands (and the whole coastline of Marseille) are beautiful with their white cliffs, crystal-clear blue water, breathtaking calanques (rocky inlets), and sandy beaches. It is really a paradise. My first day in Marseille, I was lucky enough to get on the last ferry of the afternoon leaving Quai des Belges. I arrived on the main island just in time to run to where I could catch the last rays of the sun setting through a heart-shaped hole in the rocks. What a picture! However, my most lasting memory is from the pier, where I waited for the ferry to take me back to Marseille. It was evening and dozens of men were on the pier with their lanterns fishing for squid. I had never seen anyone catch squid before! They must be easy to catch, because the pier was just covered with squid writhing and gasping their last breaths. What a noise. I'll never forget the sight and sound of hundreds of squid, illuminated by lanterns, gasping for breath.

Getting to this place on a bicycle wasn't easy, but it was worth it! We knew it was going to be at…read morethe top of the toughest climb yet during our weeklong Provence bike tour, but since it was described as "one of the most beautiful villages in France" we had to check it out. Most of the town part is very touristy but still very charming and beautiful, nonethless. Lots of little windy streets everywhere, and that amazing view from all sorts of lookouts. We had lunch at one of the many fine restaurants, and then we realized there was this huge ancient castle ruins! We had an awesome time exploring the Chateau and learning a lot about medieval castles. And the VIEWS from the top of the castle walls were just beyond words. One of the most amazing sites my friends and I got to see during our trip. STEPH JUDGEMENT: Gorgeous mountaintop village oozing with history and charm.

From the owner: Au coeur des Alpilles Situé dans le massif des Alpilles non loin d'Arles, le village des…read moreBaux-de-Provence (qui a donné le nom à la Bauxite) perché sur son rocher de calcaire, tel un éperon entre deux-vallées, est une halte incontournable pour le visiteur en Provence. Un joli village, une vue splendide sur la campagne voisine et les Alpilles. A décourvir : son château féodal, son huile d'Olives, ses vignes (une AOC de Côtes de Provence), son Festival de Musique et de danse en Eté, sa Cathédrale d'Images unique en son genre, ses Relais & Châteaux...

From the owner: Une place "royale" Au XVIIIe siècle, le marquis d'Albertas fait construire son hôtel particulier au…read morecentre d'Aix. Afin de pouvoir faire avancer ses carrosses, il fait agencer une belle place, construite sur le modèle des grandes places parisiennes et oeuvre des Vallon. La fontaine, ajoutée en 1912, ne fait qu'ajouter au charme des lieux aux yeux du visiteur. Il s'agit d'une des plus belles places aixoises, où les pavés font joliment résonner le clapotis de la fontaine. Rafraichissant.

This was a lovely twice weekly market in the heart of Uzes. You'll find this market bustling every…read moreWednesday and Saturday, in the central square of Uzès, Place-aux-Herbes. We visited three times during our two weeks in Uzes and enjoyed seeing the different energy between the two days. At Marché d'Uzès, you'll find vendors selling everything from Provencal linens and goat cheese to lavender sausages and fresh produce. The Saturday market is the larger of the two and tends to feature more gifts/goods beyond food. It also tends to be more crowded and attract visitors from neighboring villages along with tourists. Market hit list: -you can't go wrong with olives and tapenade -make a morning of it and sample rose ;) -pick up produce to make your own ratatouille at home -grab some of the cheese topped with lavender -gifts: you can't go wrong with Provencal soaps and linens