Museum / Gallery Sights in Provence

Vincent Van Gogh moved to Arles in 1888, as so in hommage to the great master, the Fondation Van Gogh has collected works by contemporary artists that are in the style of Van Gogh.

The Musee des Tapisseries houses a rich collection of 17th and 18th Century tapestries, including a collection called 'Grotesques' - theatrical taspestrie made in Beauvais cir. 1689, and also 'L'histoire de Don Quichotte' of 1735 unique in the world.

Located in the heart of Arles the Museon Arlaten is really the 'Museum of Arles' itself. The museum was the initiative of the great local poet Frederic Mistral (1830-1914), it presents a all encompassing view of Provence from the end of the 18th Century up to today.

Learn about the French defences from the Germans and the strategic position of this fort in the battle for Nice in World War two.

Just outside the village of Gordes lies the archaeological remains of a Bronze age village. The Village des Bories dates back to around 2000BC. You can still see ancient sheep pens, stone beehive houses (bories) and bread ovens.

The Calvet Museum today houses works of art from the 16th to 20th century, and holds innumerable collections donated or bequeathed by patrons, art lovers and collectors, such as Baron de Montfaucon, Esprit Requien, Noël Biret, the Montlaur family, and recently Marcel Puech.

With items from prehistoric times, and fine arts and decorative arts from as early as the 17th century, all the way up to the first half of the 20th century.

Located in the former farmhouse at Rousty Bridge the Camargue Museum reopened in November 2013 after a year of renovation.

Orange boasts the best preserved Roman Amphitheatre in the western world.

This historic perfume factory is in the heart of the Old Town and is one of the oldest in Grasse, constructed in 1782.

This museum owes its growth to the naturalist Esprit Requien (1758-1851), who was the most famous of Avignon scientists of his time. From an old middle class family, he devoted himself early to botany. By age 18, he is active in the Botanical Garden of the city of Avignon and is a herbarium that quickly acquired great importance.

This museum houses a collection of around 250 chandeliers and a large library and collection of photos dedicated to these wonderful pieces of art.

Objects from local and regional sources, with the exception of a fund of Greek ceramics, Etruscan, Italiot, derived from bequests from private collections and a deposit of the State (Campana).

The truffle has a long history here in Aups; for many years now they have been grown, harvested, retailed, shared and eaten.

This little museum is jam-packed from floor to ceiling with a great collection of vintage and classic motorbikes.

The building itself has been protected as a historic monument since 1979 and is worth the journey just for that, let alone the art works inside.

After your explorations in Glanum, it's worth visiting the asylum where Vincent van Gogh spent one year after the dramatic incident in Arles. The Monastère de St-Paul-de-Mausole is just a short ride from Glanum. Since 1605 it has functioned as a psychiatric hospital, remaining so today.

Hungarian artist Victor Vasarely established this foundation in 1966 with the aim of promoting 'art for all' where art blends beautifully with architecture in the 'city of tomorrow'.