Omnipresent History
Everywhere in the region, you can feel the presence of our historical heritage. It shapes our cities: Arles Roman legacy, a UNESCO World Heritage site, Roman baths and 18th century private mansions in Aix-en-Provence, medieval architecture in Salon-de-Provence, Renaissance chateaux in Baux de Provence. ..
The Bouches-du-Rhone department ranks third in the region, with 626 listed or classified monuments representing 29% of the Provence Côte d'Azur historical heritage.
Some of our sites are among the 25 most visited monuments in France, among them the Château d'If in Marseille or the Roman town of Glanum near Saint-Rémy-de-Provence, with respectively 63,000 and 73,201 admissions in 2007.
Breathtaking natural sites
For nature lovers, Provence offers an infinite range of landscape nuances.
- From the Alpilles, Sainte-Baume and Sainte-Victoire mountains to the coves of the Côte Bleue (Blue Coast) to the lush green countryside of Aix-en-Provence, our land’s various facets have something for everyone to explore.
- In the Rhone delta, the vast wildland of Camargue is a most amazing natural sight. The 85,000 hectare Parc Naturel Régional de Camargue is covered with marshes, ponds and paddy fields, where bulls and horses live freely. The area is also a major bird reserve in Europe. 400 species of birds nest here including flamingos, herons, cormorants.
- The Calanques (creeks) nestled at the foot of steep cliffs along the coast between Marseille and Cassis, are a paradise for hikers and rock climbers. The cliffs stand as high as 400 m over the sea and offer impressive views. The site, unique in Europe, can be reached by boat or by foot through the 160 km marked trails.
- La Foux d'Allos, Pra Loup, Puy Saint Vincent, Serre Chevalier, Vars are some of the most popular sunny ski resorts in Provence are only a 3-hour drive away.
Provence gastronomy is undergoing renewal
It is no coincidence that Bouillabaisse, Anchoïade, and Daube Provençale are known around the world. While these traditional delights continue to be served at the best tables, Marseille has added a creative touch and modernized its gastronomy. Today’s Mediterranean cuisine is based on sun kissed fresh local produce, intelligently prepared, and ready to please all taste buds. The Provence Partnership is also an invitation to savor, at the dinner table, the benefits of the "French paradox"!
In Marseille, as in all Provencal villages, the sights, flavors and smells of open-air markets will entice your senses while the Marseillais accent sings out to you.
Besides those traditional occasions, seasonal events include:
- Winter “oursinades” (sea urchin and shell fish tasting) in Carry-le-Rouet, Sausset-les-Pins and Port-de-Bouc
- The early summer garlic market in Marseille
- Grilled sardines (“Sardinades”) every summer evening in Martigues and Port-de-Bouc
- The Cassis wine festival in September
- The Green Olive Festival in September and First Olive Press Festival in December in Mouriès
- The 13 dessert Christmas Market in early December in Aix-en-Provence.
