5 ways to discover the Sud region’s heritage

The Sud is a region with a remarkable cultural, historical and natural heritage which has been shaped not only by the people who lived in times gone by but also by the artists of our times. But where should I start? Here are 5 ways of exploring this heritage of a thousand facets.

1. Spotting the UNESCO-listed sites

The greatest treasures of the Sud region aren’t necessarily jealously hidden or mysteriously buried like those of the Knights Templar, but are, on the contrary, accessible to all! Many sites on the Provence-Alpes-Côte d’Azur territory are listed in the Unesco World Heritage. Like uncut diamonds in the Sud region’s treasure chest, they showcase the local agricultural and cultural heritage. From the fortifications of Briançon and Mont-Dauphin in the Hautes-Alpes to the Roman monuments in Arles, and of course Nice, the Riviera’s tourism capital, the Cité Radieuse in Marseille, Avignon’s historical centre, to the Géoparc de Haute-Provence, there’s plenty of choice. And these visits will surely fill your eyes and heads with contemplation and stories worth their weight in gold.

2. Travelling through time

Being interested in the heritage of the Sud region means plunging into local, national and even world history. Go back in time and follow the traces of the Romans which will take you to the Théâtre Antique in Orange, to the Arènes in Arles, to the remains of Vaison-la-Romaine, Marseille and Cimiez, and also the heights of Monaco, to La Turbie, and the impressive Trophée d’Auguste. Change worlds and discover the Sud in medieval times with visits to its many fortresses, castles and religious buildings. Leap forward several centuries to the late 19th century, at a time when the Riviera made its debut, before becoming the famous Côte d’Azur of today. Go a little bit further forward in time and find the places which were marked by the highlights of theLanding and the Liberation of Provence, from the Dramont beach to places frequented by Jean Moulin. Bon voyage!

3. Live the artist’s life

The Sud region is a land of inspiration. And Cézanne, Colette, Giono, Pagnol, Simone de Beauvoir, Hitchcock and Clara Luciani won’t contradict you on this. From cinema to literature and singing and painting, artists bloom in the Sud like lemon trees in Menton. The landscapes and terrain with their bright colours, the magic of the Côte d’Azur, the light and the sea, the mountains and their secrets, the little intimate bits of paradise… all call for the liberation of the imagination and everything becomes an excuse for artistic creation. Let yourselves be bewitched by the special atmosphere of the Sud and wander in the footsteps of your favourite artists on a discovery of their places and their creations.

4. Scouring the mythical roads of the Sud

If you like your History with a capital H, you’ve probably already heard of the Route Napoléon or the Via Alta. The first will take you in the footsteps of Emperor Bonaparte who, on his return from the island of Elba, advanced up through the Alpes-Maritimes to Sisteron. In contrast, the second, built by the Romans in the 2nd century, runs down through the French Southern Alps from Turin to Avignon and Arles. Both are paved with remarkable historical sites, medieval towns and unspoiled landscapes, the passive witnesses of our past. For those of you who love walking, the Sud region has plenty of hiking itineraries that crisscross the region – a good way of reaching the breathtaking natural areas and visiting Provencal villages which are all more charming than the last.

5. Extending your contemporary culture

The Sud is a region steeped in history, but it is also a territory which bears our contemporary culture. Committed, critical, disruptive, surprising and experimental, contemporary art is exhibited in all its forms across Provence, the Alps and the Côte d’Azur. You can see it in museums and foundations from Nice to Arles, in Porquerolles, Marseille, Aix-en-Provence or Avignon, and also in the open air, particularly with the “parcours d’art” in the middle of nature at the MuséeGassendi, in Digne-les-Bains, or nestled in vast gardens such as those of Villa Carmignac or Château La Coste. As varied as there are tastes in nature, contemporary art is rarely consensual, but it often offers unusual experiences which will boost your stay in the Sud region.