In October, 2025, we took a two-week trip through Provence, spending several days in both Nice and Avignon where we explored the cities and their surrounding areas and then ended our tour with two days in Marseilles

Nice is renowned for its beaches and the adjacent La Promenade des
Anglais that runs for 9 km along the coast

A day trip to Monaco found lots of super-yachts in the harbour

The famous Monte-Carlo Casino

Pointing out the winning number for our millions
(pity the tables are closed in the morning!)

Many of the small towns we visited, such as Antibes, had markets
featuring fresh, locally-grown produce and stalls with lots of cheese,
sausages...

..and spectacular artwork

We visited several small, hill-top villages, such as St. Paul de Vence

These featured narrow, medieval streets with lots of character

St. Paul de Vence is also renowned for artists and artwork

Shop windows had some contemporary art on offer

Artwork was also on display in the streets

A number of famous French artists have painted in the French and
Italian riviera, including Claude Monet...

Another famous visitor was Vincent van Gogh

Le Jardin de la Maison de Santé à Arles

Le jardin proprement dit (as seen today)

The Romans had a major presence in Provence, including
building the famous aqueduct at Pont du Gard

A Canadian tourist at Pont du Gard

In Arles, the amphitheatre is now the bull ring

There is no bull fighting, rather the "raseteurs" dodge the bulls and
attempt to snatch a red cloth (cocarde) placed between the bull's
horns and little white pompons (glands) fixed at the base of the
horns—without harming the bull

Another favourite sport is pétanque, a local form of boules

Rural Provence has extensive olive groves

Provence is, of course, also known for its Côtes du Rhône wines,
so wine tasting at Châteauneuf-du-Pape!

In addition to extensive olive groves and vineyards, there are several
local industries that make use of locally-grown plant material,
including using lavender to make perfumes, soaps, and essential oils

Perfume is made in much the same way by distilling flowers and herbs
grown locally and obtained from countries around the world

Blending perfume is both an art and a science requiring highly-skilled
perfumers who use a huge range of tester bottles

The final products are packaged...

...and sold (to the tourists!)

Avignon is a walled city with the Palais des Papes dating from 1335;
this was the papal residence for about 70 years in the 14th century

Various museums held fine art from across the centuries

Paintings and art installations were also present in the streets

The City of Marseilles features La Cathédrale Sainte-Marie-Majeure, perched
high above the port and a highly-visible landmark for sailors

La Cathédrale Sainte-Marie-Majeure

The Château d'If, on an offshore island, is where the Count of Monte
Cristo was held prisoner (at least in the book!)

One place on the waterfront gives a very different perspective!

We are up there - and down here!

Finally, it wouldn't be France without lots of food and outdoor
restaurants

Note the champagne on offer - being checked out by a
Eurasian Collared-Dove!

All kinds of food are available from pizza to paella...

...or, anyone for socca (chickpea pancakes delivered hot by tricycle)

How about arancini (stuffed rice balls) from a visiting Italian?

No, let's go for crêpes and white wine!

À bientôt...