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France is one of Europe's most diverse countries. From the northern plains to the Pyrenees in the south west, from Brittany's rugged shores to the snow-capped peaks of the Alps, Paris, the Loire Valley, Bordeaux, the Dordogne, all are great areas for driving holidays.
There are so many different aspects to the country that selecting
one region for a weekıs driving holiday is not easy.
We have selected a small section in the Provence and the Languedoc-Roussillon regions taking in The Camargue and The Vaucluse, to whet your appetite for a lengthier exploration. A holiday in France means good food, fine wine, fabulous landscapes, ancient Roman remains, cave paintings, wildlife, art and lots of it. From the smallest town to the largest city, you will find museums and art galleries and in this southern area there are hundreds of Roman remains. It is worth noting that when visiting the bigger towns such as Marseilles, Nimes and Avignon, it will save time and hassle parking your car on the outskirts and using the public transport, or of course, walking.
Day 1
Fly to Marseilles and get onto the N568 then the N113 to Arles, a charming city at the gateway to the
Camargue. Wander around the town, and if the quaint, narrow streets
of Arles and its surrounds look strangely familiar, it is because
you have seen them before in the paintings of Van Gogh, who settled
here for about a year in 1888. Make sure to see at least two of the
many Roman sites: the amphitheatre, and Les Aliscamps, the subject
of paintings by both Van Gogh and Gauguin, a necropolis built by the
Romans and later taken over by the Christians. Like every French
town, Arles has its fair share of cafes and restaurants that will
supply you with as much gourmet food as you can take. Take time to
visit the Camargue, the wetland region at the mouth of the Rhone, a
paradise for both birds and a bird spotters. Some 560 species
inhabit this region, both permanent and migratory birds. The huge
flocks of pink flamingoes that arrive for the summer are a most
dazzling spectacle. The region is also well-known for its herds of
horses as well as the black bulls that are reared for bullfighting,
and the cowboys that look after them.
Day 2
It is only a short drive on the N113 from Arles to Nimes, where you will find some of France's
best preserved Roman remains and wonderful museums, art galleries
and a theatre. Visit the Maison Carree, a Roman temple dating from
around 5 AD, and the wonderful nearby Carree d'Art, an art centre
that houses the municipal library and the Museum of Contemporary
art. Nimes is a good kick off point from which to explore the
surrounding region, including the attractive village of Uzes and the
Pont du Gard, a three-tiered Roman aquaduct on the beautiful,
rushing River Gard.
Day 3
From Nimes try to avoid the motorway and get onto the N86 to Avignon, the European Capital of Culture in 2000, and famous for its bridge, its walled city and its art and culture. There is plenty of accommodation available in Avignon, but you might want to continue your exploration of the region and stay outside the urban area. Avignon is at the base of the Vaucluse region, Provence at its most typical and picturesque, with its lavender fields and sleepy villages. Head for the D942 leading to Carpentras, 25 kms from Avignon, a quiet
little agricultural town.
Day 4
From Carpentras, head out on the D938 to Fontaine de Vaucluse. A beautiful little village with a population of only around 600, Fontaine de Vaucluse is on the tourist map for the amazing spring, where the Sorgue River ends its underground journey and gushes to the surface at the base of a cliff. There are a number of museums in the village. Continue on your way to the tiered village of Gordes, about 18 kms east. The village forms an amphitheatre overlooking the Rivers Sorgue and Cavalon. Around 4kms south, just off the D2, there is the Village de Bories. Bories are Bronze Age
huts shaped like beehives, in continuous use up to the 18th century,
as shelters, for storage or as wine cellars.
Day 5
From Gordes get back onto the D2 as far as the junction with the D4 and head for Apt, a small town that is
perfect from which to explore the Luberon Hills and the Parc Naturel
Regional. There are numerous villages, forests, gorges and abandoned
farmhouses, as well as some Bories and some good hiking and cycling
trails. There is plenty of accommodation in the area, including
camping, hostels, and hotels.
Day 6
No visit to the region would be complete without a stay in Aix-en-Provence. Head out of Apt on the
scenic D943 through Cadenet and on to Aix. But first, park the car.
Driving in Aix is incompatible with a relaxing stay in Provence. It
is a jewel of a city that should not be missed, with gorgeous
architecture, leafy avenues, fountains, elegant hotels, art
galleries, museums, wonderful restaurants and cafes and great night
life. In July, the week-long Festival Provencal d'Aix et du Pays
d'Aix is second only to Edinburgh in its cultural importance. There
is also a jazz festival in early July.
Day 7
From Aix, head off back to the cosmopolitan port of Marseilles. Unlike any other French city,
Marseilles assaults all the senses at once and must be explored on
foot. Here you will find anything your heart desires. Restaurants,
cafes, bars, night clubs, art galleries, museums, churches,
cathedrals, bustling street markets, the beach, rocky inlets where
you can indulge in water sports, and any number of amazing sights,
sounds and smells. In any of Marseilles' hundreds of restaurants,
make sure you try the fish cuisine especially the local specialty,
the fish stew known as bouillabaisse. You can take a boat and visit
the island of Chateau d'If, immortalised in Le Comte de Monte
Cristo, by Alexandre Dumas, where you can explore the dungeons in
the fortress.
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