Things to Do in France

The heart of ancient Aix, the Vieil Aix, or Old Town, is marked out by the ruins of its medieval ramparts and remains one of the liveliest areas of Aix-en-Provence. Home to the city’s historic marketplace and sprinkled with grand buildings, there are plenty of things to do in the Vieil Aix. Stroll through the pedestrianized Cité Comtale, the former City of the Counts; admire the opulent 17th and 18th century mansions lining the Rue Gaston de Saporta, many of which have now been converted into luxury hotels; check out the striking 16th century Clock Tower and the Church of the Madeline; rummage through the Saturday flea market at Place de Verdun; or join the locals at the legendary food and flower markets that take over the neighborhood each Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday.

Don’t miss a visit to the exquisite Cathedrale Saint Sauveur, a masterpiece of design that blends elements from the 5th century through the 18th century, and houses the famous Burning Bush Triptych by Nicholas Froment. Next door, the equally impressive Archbishop’s Palace was the former residence of the archbishops of Aix-en-Provence and now houses the popular Tapestry Museum. Finally, catch your breath on the central Cours Mirabeau, a tree-lined avenue dotted with cafés and patisseries that runs between the boundaries of the old and new city.

With its dramatic limestone cliffs and azure waters, the Verdon Gorge (Gorges du Verdon) is the French Riviera's answer to the Grand Canyon. If you choose to escape the manicured glamour of St. Tropez and Cannes in favor of the Verdon Canyon, whose exceptional natural beauty provides opportunities to swim, sail, sunbathe, and rock climb on routes that stretch as far as the eye can see, you'll be startled by the beauty of one of France's most delightful secrets.

The Basics
Whether you're after adventure or relaxation, the Alpes de Haute Provence region has it all. The stretch of the Verdon River that flows between Castellane and Chasteuil boasts Class I-IV rapids, making it an ideal place for thrill seekers looking for rafting. Hiking trails abound, with the 9-mile (14-km) Sentier Martel trail ranking as one of the country's top treks, while the emerald waters of the Sainte-Croix-du-Verdon lake, nestled deep within the limestone canyon, prove the perfect place to swim or sunbathe. For rock climbers, the gorge provides ample adventures with its 15-mile (25-km) network of climbing routes.

Experience the best of Provence (Verdon Gorge included) on a day trip tour from Cannes, Aix-en-Provence, or Nice that also visits the picturesque pilgrimage site of Castellane and the medieval village of Moustiers-Sainte-Marie, famed for its pottery industry.

• The majority of tours departing from Cannes, Aix-en-Provence, and Nice provide hotel pickup and drop-off.
• Choose between a group tour or a private tour, both available with half- and full-day options.
• Outdoor activities range from rock climbing to kayaking.
• Be sure to bring sunscreen, hiking boots, and appropriate attire for outdoor Verdon Gorge adventures.

How to Get to Verdon Gorge
A couple of hours' drive west from St Tropez, the right bank of the Verdon Gorge is easy to reach from the north (on route D952 from Castellane to Moustiers-Sainte-Marie) by car. From the south, it's better to take to its left bank (on routes D71, D90 and D955 from Aiguines to Castellane). The Verdon Gorge is more difficult to access via public transport.

When to Get There
Undoubtedly, the summer months are the perfect time to visit the Verdon Gorge. Reliable sunshine makes all outdoor activities possible, while warm temperatures also allow visitors to camp at the region's many campsites. During summer, tours always pay a visit to the scenic Valensole Plateau and Grasse to see vivid lavender fields burst into bloom.

Louis XIV, the Sun King, was not satisfied with ruling over the French people, or building the most magnificent palace in the world; at Versailles he was also determined to have mastery over water.

In 1666, building a fountain was not as easy as laying some pipes and turning on the tap – water was a scarce commodity in rural France and massive and expensive construction works were required to fulfill Louis’ dream of dancing water.

There are over 30 fountains at Versailles, the most famous being the Apollo fountain, with its horses pulling the god’s chariot, and the Neptune fountain featuring the god of the oceans with his wife, some dragons and a smattering of sea life. Neptune took over a century to complete and was therefore officially opened by the next generation, King Louis XV. Other fountains represent the four seasons: Saturn for winter, Flora for spring, Ceres for summer, and Bacchus for autumn.

During the weekends from April to October, the fountains run in full play to musical accompaniment. This Grandes Eaux fulfills Louis XIV’s ambitious dream of water at play, leading you through the expansive gardens and amazing you with the height of the jets and visionary scale of the themed fountains.

In July and August this water show also runs in the evenings with the fountains spectacularly lit. There are eight paths you can follow for different musical and visual experiences. The Sun King may finally have been satisfied.

Set on the serene Cap Ferrat cape jutting out over the Mediterranean, the picturesque Villa Ephrussi de Rothschild holds one of the most sought after settings on the French Riviera. The pink-painted villa, once belonging to wealthy Frenchwoman Béatrice Ephrussi de Rothschild, was designed by Belgian architect Aaron Messiah and built in the early 20th century. Today, the striking seafront palazzo is maintained by the Institut de France and is open to the public, and also hosts the annual summer opera festival: Opera Azuriales.

The villa’s grounds are the real attraction with a collection of nine exquisitely landscaped gardens. These gardens, listed by the Ministry of Culture as some of the ‘notable gardens of France,’ feature Spanish and Japanese themed gardens, a colorful rose garden, and a ‘stone garden’ decorated with ornate ‘musical fountains,’ with water features synchronized to music.

Nestled in the Cone Valley, halfway between Dijon and Paris, stands the idyllic village of Vézelay, a ninth-century hilltop fortress that is not only home to one of the most remarkable basilicas in France, but also a UNESCO-classified old town.