The Alpilles and our Provence
Provence is certainly one of the more beautiful parts of Europe, with a agreeable climate (even out of season), impressive landscapes and remarkable historical sites such as Arles (arena, Roman theatre), Nîmes (arena, Maison Carrée), Pont du Gard (Roman bridge, 30m high), Avignon (Palais des Papes, Pont St Bénézet), St Rémy en Provence (Glanum), Baux de Provence (a must), Aix en Provence, lAbbaye de Montmajour, ruins of Roman waterway close to Fontvieille, the Moulin à Daudet, and natural sites such as the grottes de Calès close to Lamanon, the Camargue, the Lubéron and the Alpilles. Also worth the effort are Fontaine de Vaucluse, Isle sur la Sorgue and Vaison la Romaine. Beyond Marseille, you will find Cassis an its «calanques».
The nearest beaches are behind Chaîne de lEstaque (Carro, Sausset, Carry-le-Rouet), but we prefer the beach called Napoléon (They de Roustan). To reach it, you drive south from Port St. Louis du Rhône through a gorgeous Camargue-like land.
Your children will have fun in Acquacity, in Plan de Campagne on the A51 towards Aix-en Provence, or the small zoo of La Barben on the D572 towards St. Cannat
Le Michelin guide Provence and appropriate (detailed) maps will help you to discover this land and its landscapes. You will notice that all the interesting destinations are within an hours drive from our house.
Access : Train : Avignon (TGV), Salon, or Arles;
Aeroplane : Marseille-Marignane
Motorways : A7, exit Avignon-Sud or Sénas ; A54, exit Eyguières
Amongst the more interesting places to go are :
15 km away : Les Baux de Provence, St-Rémy de Provence, Barbégal, Calès
20-25 km away: Arles, Abbaye de Montmajour, Lubéron
40-70 km away : Avignon, Aix en Provence, Marseille, Gordes, Stes-Maries de la Mer (Camargue), Nîmes, Pont du Gard, Isle sur la Sorgue, Aigues-Mortes
