With its dynamic metropolises, numerous villages, castles and religious buildings, the Bouches-du-Rhône department also draws on its heritage to establish itself as a major tourist destination in the Provence-Alpes-Côte d’Azur region. During your stay, visit the arenas and ancient remains, the castles of the Middle Ages, the Renaissance palaces, the churches, the basilicas, the monasteries and more.
Glanum owes its success to the presence of a source reputed to be sacred, which attracted pilgrims from different parts of the world. Founded by the Celts, the town was influenced by the Greek civilization established in Marseille, then came under Roman occupation. These centuries of occupation, followed by the abandonment of the site, have preserved many remains that can be visited today. Visitors can admire the twin temples, the ancient thermal baths and the Nymphaeum, the sacred spring dedicated to the Gallic healer god Glanis, then to the goddess of health Valetudo and finally to Hercules.
The town of Saint-Rémy-de-Provence, next to Glanum, was occupied very early by the Romans. The town flourished in the Middle Ages and during the Renaissance. The Hôtel de Sade integrates this rich historical past. Built on ancient thermal baths dating from the 4th century AD, it also includes a tithe building, which was once used to pay taxes to the Church, as well as various religious and private buildings. The Hôtel de Sade can be visited and exhibits archeological treasures found during excavations carried out in the town.
Situated in La Roque-d’Anthéron, the Silvacane Abbey is a jewel of Romanesque architecture. It is one of the three Cistercian sisters of Provence, witnesses and actresses of the monastic renewal of the 12th century. The place also allows to promote strong cultural actions, with works of art and facilities. For example, visitors can admire the stained-glass windows by the painter Sarkis Zabunyan, created at the beginning of the 21st century.
Founded shortly before the year 1000, the Montmajour abbey is composed of several buildings from various periods, from the Middle Ages to the Renaissance. The Saint-Pierre Hermitage dug into the rock, the abbatial church, built in the 12th and 13th centuries, the Sainte-Croix chapel, and the monastery Saint-Maur of the 18th century all contribute to the personality of the place. The highlight of the visit is surely the ascent of the Pons de l’Orme tower, which offers a breathtaking view of Pays d’Arles and the Alpilles.
The ruins of the Château des Baux-de-Provence dominate the village of the same name and a large part of the Alpilles. This former fortress of the powerful family of the Lords of Baux is built directly on the rock and preserves impressive remains. The 360-degree panoramic view is breathtaking, and it extends for miles around. The ancient troglodyte dwellings, the ruins of the chapel, the “trou aux lièvres” (hares’ burrow), a real secret passage, are some of the treasures to be discovered during your visit.
In the Middle Ages, rivers were the main means of communication rather than the roads that were generally in poor condition. The authorities then built powerful fortresses close to the rivers to monitor and control merchant traffic. The Château de Tarascon, built on the banks of the Rhône, testified to the power of the Anjou family who then owned Provence. It has been reshuffled several times and has served several purposes: medieval fortress, place of residence, prison …
The city of Marseille, the epicenter of maritime trade in the Mediterranean, played a central role for the Kingdom of France in the 16th century. The construction of the Château d’If was decided by Francis I after his visit to Marseille in 1516, in order to preserve the city from invasions from the sea. The fortress is a historical monument of primary importance, but also a place full of legends. Transformed into a prison, the Château d’If has housed famous prisoners, real or fictitious. Alexandre Dumas used it as a setting for the detention of his hero Edmond Dantes in the Count of Monte Cristo.
The hill overlooks the Lacydon, the former rocky inlet that served as a port for Marseille and played a strategic role in the city’s defense early on. A watchtower and then a fort were built there. But the hill also played a strong religious role very early on, with the presence, from the 13th century, of a chapel dedicated to the Virgin Mary. The basilica of Notre Dame de la Garde was built in the 19th century in a neo-Byzantine style. Visible from almost the whole city, it is crowned by a huge statue of the Virgin gilded with fine gold. It houses magnificent mosaics and many ex-votos. The view is breathtaking over the islands, the Côte Bleue coastline, the hills of Pagnol and the city.
For a long time, the city of Marseille was short of water, as the few springs and streams watering the city were not enough to provide the necessary water for all the inhabitants. To cope with these shortages, astounding works on water installations were undertaken. The Palais Longchamp, built in the 19th century in a neoclassical style, houses a water tower. Its wings also house museums, and its fountains celebrate the arrival of the waters of the Durance which ensure the prosperity of the city.
The collection of short stories Letters from My Windmill is one of the most emblematic works of Provençal literature. Its author, Alphonse Daudet, was deeply attached to the Alpilles and drew his inspiration from it. Staying many times in Fontvieille, the author drew his inspiration from the luminous landscapes, truculent characters and a living rural heritage. The Alphonse Daudet’s windmill, a true stone muse, also embodies a certain idea of Provence, being timeless and permanent.
