Panoramic view of Marseille
1. START WITH THE GREAT PICASSO EXHIBITION, IN MARSEILLE
By plane, or by train with RENFE for a few months, the route begins in Marseille, a large city with a seaport that is worth visiting for at least a few hours. Stroll around the harbor to, with a bit of luck, receive the fishermen who arrive loaded with fresh fish . Then walk through the Cesta neighborhood, the oldest in the city, and have lunch in one of the many bars on the famous Place de Lenche, such as Au Lamporo . And, of course, don't miss out on visiting the spectacular Picasso exhibition at the Mucem, where you can admire paintings by the artist when he was only eight years old.
In the shadow of Mucem
two. A BATH IN LES CALANQUES
In summer the Mediterranean Sea in that area is beautiful, so there is nothing better than planning a boat trip to The Calanques , a stretch of coast about 20 kilometers from the port of Marseille, famous for its turquoise water and its "secluded" coves . Do not worry if you do not have your own boat, since ferries leave from the same port every half hour and the most adventurous can do so. renting a kayak but yes, you need to be in good shape. Once there and after a delicious swim, you can eat at The Poissonnerie , a restaurant that, as its name suggests, is specialized in seafood and fish.
Les Calanques and their “recondite” coves
3. FEEL LIKE A POPE IN AVIGNON or FOLLOW IN THE FOOTSTEPS OF VAN GOGH IN ARLES?
Without a doubt, they are two cities that enjoy a long and very rich history. Avignon, famous for its bridge in the middle of the Rhône river and for being the city of the Popes, deserves three obligatory stops: the Pont d'Avignon; also the Papal Palace, a huge medieval fortress that it is perceived from various points of the city; and, finally, a walk through its old town, making a stop at the Angladon museum, which houses works by Degas, Manet or Cézanne . If you are more attracted to expressionism, follow in the footsteps of the great Van Gogh in Arles , visiting settings that he immortalized in his paintings, such as the house on the outskirts of the city ** (a plaque shows the exact place) **; the river at night or the mythical yellow house in place Lamartine.
Arles: Van Gogh came here to stay
Four. SLEEP IN A ROOM BY LACROIX
Although the best thing to do in this region is to rent a country house – ideally near a lavender area – there is a hotel that dazzles everyone. Its about Hotel Jules Cesar _(9, Boulevard des Lice, Arles) _, a perfect combination of an old building with a modern touch, signed by the sought-after designer Christian Lacroix and where each room is monochromatic in colors such as green, red, blue to yellow. Its cutting-edge design, with a large photograph of a bullfighter (it is said to be Javier Conde) presiding over the bar, makes it clear that the new and the old are not at odds. A plus: its restaurant Lou Marques , under the direction of chef Pascal Renaud, is worth a visit.
Rest with signature of Christian Lacroix
5. A SHOW IN THE QUARRIES
We continue towards Les Baux de Provence , one of the most visited towns in the area, located on a baou-limestone spur-. There you must visit Les Carrières de Lumiéres, some famous quarries in the heart of the Alpine mountains where, until January 2017, a show by the artist takes place Chagall based on games of light and sound projected on ceilings, floors and walls of the space. An advice: bring warm clothing as the temperature inside drops considerably.
Chagall and his blue universe
6. BULLABESS IN MARSEILLE AND CALISSON IN AUX DE PROVENCE
Bouillabaisse , typical dish of the fishing area, consists of a mixture of four types of fish and, sometimes, some seafood . First, a broth is served which, in addition to the previous ingredients, includes saffron, fennel and tomato to then add some tostones spread with Rouille -garlic and chili mayonnaise- plus a generous layer of grated cheese. We recommend you try this "light dish" in L'Epuisette or Restaurant Michel, both in Marseille. In Aux de Provence you must taste the typical sweet called Calisson D'Aix . A small-sized delicacy made with a wafer base, ground almonds and sugar-glazed fruit syrup. Do not hesitate, Confiserie Bremond _(16, Rue d'Italie) _ is the right place to discover it.
There are a thousand ways to cook a bouillabaisse... in Marseille
7. BUY IN ITS VARIOUS MARKETS
It is not possible to be in Provence and not visit one of its markets . It is a more than obligatory activity in any of its towns, either to see the aesthetics of its stalls, or because it never hurts to buy some freshly cut fruit and vegetables. In the Place Richelme de Aux de Provence you can buy cheese, seafood, honey and fruit daily; if you want flowers, you should go to the one on the Place des Precheurs – yes, it is set up every other day. If you like jams and honey, at the La chambre aux Confitures store _(16 bis, rue d´Italie) _ in Aux de Provence you can buy various flavours, some of which are very curious, as well as having a tasting. cheese lovers , you'll find hundreds of varieties at La Fromagerie du Passage.
Continuing with the typical purchases of the place, of course, you will want to take the authentic Marseille soap ; look for the one from the Compagnie de Provence brand or the one from La Maison Du savon de Marseille. You will also discover a thousand stores with both beauty and home products with lavender as the protagonist, as well as innumerable antique shops where you can buy interesting relics of any style.
Did someone say cheese?
8. TABLE TIME AND TABLECLOTH
In La Provence, gastronomy is also an essential part of the trip. In Aux de Provence reigns the classic of the classics, Les Deux Garcons _(53, Cours Mirabeau) _, a typical brasserie where you can enjoy a delicious dinner on the terrace. In Arles, for its part, any place in its square is perfect for a snack, although the pizzas served by Messa Luna are worth remembering. If you want an immersion in the typical cuisine of the region, go to Le Criquet _(21, Rue Porte de Laure) _ and ask for the bourride , a stew similar to bouillabaisse. If, on the other hand, you prefer modern French cuisine, look for the chic restaurant of L'Agape in Avignon. And lastly, those who love to go out at night should go to Le Mas _(4, rue Lulli) _ in Marseille; It has extensive dining hours and a lively atmosphere any night of the week.
L'Agape: the perfect hideaway for foodies
Panoramic view of Marseille