Vaison la Romaine archaeological site
Get a feel of every day Roman life from villas with mosaics to bath houses
You can feel like you've stepped back in time when you visit Vaison la Romaine. As the name suggests, this was an important town for the Romans, who liked its location and climate, and built many rather magnificent structures. Vaison became a federated city under the Romans which explains why so many public buildings were constructed.
The most obvious Roman heritage is the Roman bridge (one of only five still standing in Provence), but there are two important excavation sites right in the centre of town - the Site de la Villasse is the biggest archaeological site in France that's open to the public.
You can discover the remnants of Roman villas and wander around their extensive gardens. Just to the north of this site lies the Site de Puymin which includes the grand Antique Theatre (and hosts events during the summer). Some of the ancient Roman artefacts have been collected and are on display in the Musee Theo Desplans.
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Sights & Attractions in [locality]
Sights in Provence
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Fort St Roch, Sospel
This remnant of the second world war is a huge engineering feat made from lots of concrete and once housed machine guns and barracks.
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Fondation Van Gogh
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.
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Musee Simon Segal Contemporary Art, Aups
The museum groups 3 schools of painting - Toulon, Bourges and Paris - with over 280 works on show.
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Reserve des Mont d'Azur
Come and see bison, deer, horses, boars and hawks roaming on 700 hectares of land, just one hour from the French Riviera
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Monastere de Saorge Monastery
Beautiful baroque architecture, examples of 17th- and 18th-century frescoes and furniture and a large terraced garden.
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Musee de Faykod (De Faykod Museum), Aups
Some 50 white marble sculptures by Maria de Faykod, renowned sculptor with numerous existing works. She had the original idea to open a garden which exhibit some of her work to the public.
Events in [locality]
Events in Provence
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Liszt en Provence festival, Uchaux
Uchaux is the venue for this series of summer concerts that celebrates the music of Liszt. Set in the fabulous grounds of Chateau Saint Esteve, the venue could not be more magical or romantic.
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Antiques, Art & You, L'Isle sur la Sorgue
A huge art and antiques fair held in the charming town of l'Isle sur la Sorgue.
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International Piano Festival, La Roque d'Antheron
La Roque d'Antheron is the site for a series of outdoor summer concerts that feature the piano.
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a-part Festival, Les Alpilles region
'a-part' re-invents nature and surrounding landscapes with contemporary art that invigorates your senses, promoting new artists alongside established names.
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Commemoration of the Allied Landing
As part of "Operation Dragoon" to liberate southern France, Allied forces arrived at the coast of Provence on 15 August, 1944. This day is celebrated all around the region with parades, live music and popular dances and aperitifs.
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Reves de Camargue Horse Show
Come and watch this memorable horse show with dancing horses and cowboys at the Mas des Jasses de la Ville/Manade Fernay.
Dining in [locality]
Restaurants in Provence
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L'Atelier de Jean-Luc Rabanel Restaurant
This wonderful contemporary-styled restaurant features dishes that you may never have suspected to have existed.
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Les Chenes Verts Restaurant, Tourtour
This Michelin starred restaurant is situated on the outskirts of Tourtour and specialise in truffle dishes.
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La Vache a Carreaux Restaurant
This small restaurant is on the Rue Peyrollerie, a winding alley just off the Place St Pierre. It is a great option for vegetarians, offering a wide variety of cheese dishes and salads but there are also fish dishes available.
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L'Autruche Restaurant
Small restaurant where you will never eat the same thing twice. Their menu is solely based on what good fresh ingredients the local market has to offer in the mornings.
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La Chassagnette Restaurant
This organic Michelin starred restaurant is situated just 12km outside Arles on the road to Sambuc and is run by the chef Armand Arnal.
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L'Epice & Love Restaurant
This is a popular place with both locals and travellers. It has a small cosy interior so if you want to dine there, best to get there earlier rather than later.
Things to do in [locality]
Things To Do in Provence
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Aqualand Waterpark, Sainte Maxime
This is probably the most family orientated waterpark on the Cote d'Azur. With several friendly slides, a fun pool, food and drinks, ice creams, and shopping all at hand.
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Domaine Le Sagittaire Waterpark, Nyons
In the depths of the Drôme countryside in the French Provence, this 5 Star Residential Campsite comes complete with an entirely heated Aquatic Complex, which is open to the public.
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Nyonsoleiado Waterpark, Nyons
Waterpark complex that contains a lagoon, 25m pool, whirlpool basin, waterslides for children and adults, cascades of water, rivers, paddling pools and much more.
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Aqualand Waterpark, Frejus
With numerous slides, including the King Cobra - unique is western Europe - this is the largest waterpark on the Cote d'Azur! Inludes a rest area, show area, clockroom, fast food, grill and pizzeria, ice creams, drinks, and shop.
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Aqualand Waterpark, St Cyr Sur Mer
Aqualand in St Cyr Sur Mer offer you 11 wicked slides in a great park environment with drinks, food, and shops for you to enjoy.
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Wave Island Waterpark, Monteux
This huge waterpark covers an area of 4.7 hectares and includes a surf simulator, waterslides and a river feature called river land.
Hotels in [locality]
Hotels in Provence
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Le Clos des Lavandes B&B
In the heart of the Luberon National Park, a beautiful and charming B&B welcomes you for a relaxing stay.
Price: €1,243
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Le Clair de la Plume Hotel, Grignan
This stunning boutique hotel is situated at the base of the Grignan castle and has three different sites (The Main House, The Private House and the Mediterranean Garden) spread throughout the beautiful Provencal village.
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La Bastide de Moustiers Hotel, Moustiers-Sainte-Marie
La Bastide de Moustiers is a house full of charm situated in the north of Provence close to Verdon National Park.
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L'Hotel Particulier
Gorgeous hotel in the centre of the Roman town of Arles. Designed to within an inch of it's life, this 18th century country house has 13 rooms decked out in white billowing fabrics and French country furniture. Think Ibiza-esque.
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Renaissance Hotel
Built in 2013 this modern, contemporary five star hotel in Provence combines art work in contemporary spaces, filled with uber stylish furniture and fittings.
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L'Oustau de Baumaniere Hotel, Les Baux
This unique hotel has a two Michelin-starred restaurant and is located within the Les Baux region of Provence, famed for its vineyards and incredible hilltop castle.