Tours to the southwestern provinces of France. Excursion tours and holidays in France. Tours to Paris, Nice and the Provinces. Excursions to Mont Saint-Michel, Loire Castles, Versailles, etc. Photos of sights of France
Today, tours to the provinces of France are offered by many travel agencies. However, we can recommend that you create your own route. Not always ready-made tourist programs include what will be of interest to you. Therefore, we recommend that you take a trip around France by car with your family. To organize your trip, you will need a map of France with provinces and our portal. We will try to tell you about everything interesting that this country has. Stay with us, it will be interesting further.
In modern France there are no official divisions into French provinces. The political and administrative structure of France involves dividing the country into departments. However, the historical provinces of France are still actively used not only by historians and archaeologists when conducting research, but also by ordinary citizens of this country. If you ask how you can get to Champagne, then the explanation will be quick and simple. Tourist tours in the provinces of France are also particularly popular. After all, most of them are built on an educational principle. During such a trip, you can not only study the history of the country, but also get acquainted with the ancient customs and traditions of France.
The historical provinces of France included 39 territories. The most famous of them are Normandy, Bordeaux, Champagne, Provence, Burgundy, Ile-de-France, Corsica, Nice, Alsace. This territorial structure of France remained until March 4, 1790. During the French Revolution, it was decided to abandon the French provinces and switch to dividing the country using departments. Thus, the role of the provincial centers of France was diminished and the power of Paris was elevated.
The modern structure of France includes 96 departments with a population in each of them from 500 thousand to 1,000,000 people
Which French provinces are the most attractive to visit?
It is not possible to answer this question unequivocally. All French provinces are quite attractive for tourists. It all depends on what purpose you are visiting. this country. For example, if you are interested in the history of Napoleon Bonaparte, then you should start your trip from the island of Corsica. The historical province of France also has the same name. Here you can study in detail the entire biography of Napoleon and his life path. Corsica offers all the possibilities for this.
For a culinary trip, Provence and Champagne are more suitable. Here you will find the most exquisite dishes of French cuisine, world-famous wines and amazingly delicate French cheese. All this will be flavored with the aroma of Provencal herbs and dressed in a romantic Provencal style.
For lovers of active sea holiday I can recommend visiting French province Nice. On the Atlantic, its prototype is Brittany and Aquitaine. These historical provinces of France today provide maximum comfort for tourists summer months of the year.
For history buffs, we can recommend the French province of Normandy. You can add Burgundy and Bordeaux to it. Well, you won’t be able to miss the central province, on the territory of which Paris is located today. For lovers ski types sports we recommend the Alpine provinces and the Pyrenees.
Southern provinces of France
All southern provinces of France are tourist resort destinations and agricultural entities. Here you can combine pleasant stay on the Mediterranean Sea and excellent French cuisine. According to statistics, most tourists prefer to visit the southern provinces of France.
These include Nice, Corsica, Provence, Toulouse, Avignon. The tourism and service infrastructure is developed here. Organized daily for guests a large number of familiarization and educational tours of castles, architectural monuments and historical places.
Northern provinces of France
The northern provinces of France are better known to us as ski resorts and sites of major historical battles. We recommend you visit Lorraine. This northern province of France is famous for many military battles. There are a large number of historical memorials and monuments here. Experienced guides will help you understand the history of modern France and feel the freedom-loving spirit of this people.
The northern provinces of France Savoy and Dauphine are areas French Alps. World famous ski resorts are located here. It is best to plan a visit to these lands during the winter months of the year.
Another Paris
This was my first trip to France. Gray and miserable - that’s my impression of Paris! Either my friend tricked me and brought me to a place other than Paris, or the emigrants changed the city beyond recognition. Although how do I know what he was like before my arrival?! I know Paris from Hugo’s stories and from the film “Amelie”. The French women also turned out to be different from those in the films. Ordinary ones, not Catherine Deneuve.
Provincials
I didn’t really see Paris; I didn’t go to the famous Moulin Rouge. We were taken to the provinces, the French track is boring and not brutal. There is no mystery in it, like ours, when you don’t know what awaits you. You drive too smoothly, you don’t feel the steering wheel. The idea came to do the Dakar here. Let them feel what real off-roading is like! The French are spoiled by good roads, quality wine and social benefits. We have developed immunity even to the apocalypse, so I glanced sarcastically at my guides.
We pass by French villages. Our guide says that the French themselves love the provinces, they are attached to their homes and neighbors. Oddly enough, he speaks of Paris casually, as if it were bustling and dirty city. I agree with him. But I’m silent, the guide is already looking sideways in my direction. He is infuriated by my impeccable English and godless pronunciation of merci, excusez moi.
After a 7 hour flight and disappointment in Paris, I want to send a friend. He deprived me of thai massage and hotel all inclusive. Mark saves him. He is the owner of a winery with bottomless barrels of red and white wine. Red wine with medium rare steak was a great end to the evening.
Morning in the village
Mornings in the French countryside are not like ours. There are no crowing roosters and, in principle, no living creatures. This makes me happy, no one wakes me up annoyingly. But I found it inconvenient to lie in bed when the owners were already working. They get up early. Mark rides a horse around 56 hectares of the farm - Domaine Sant-Anne. A car ride through a vineyard can ruin it. I join Mark and get on the wagon as his son talks about the family business.
Red, white and rosé, still, semi-sparkling and sparkling wines are produced under 60 different names, which vary in appearance from very dry to very sweet. Chenay blanc grapes produce wines of four completely different types: dry, semi-sweet, sweet and sparkling. These are traditions that arose under the influence of the whims of the local climate. This grape variety has excess natural acidity and, if it receives enough sunlight, a high sugar content. But, from a viticultural point of view, the Loire Valley is considered a northern region, and wine producers must take into account late frosts, cold winds and changeable weather in the summer. In sunny years, winemakers strive to produce the most full-bodied wines from sweet and savory grapes, but in other cases they can only make semi-sweet or dry wines. The variety of species is at the heart of the difficulties of Loire winemakers, since you cannot build a reputation on inconsistency. With the exception of wines such as the best Savenniere, dry Chenay blanc wines are too often bodyless, coarse and sour. They by no means enhance the reputation of the Loire, but they are similar in characteristics to Champagne wines. And if still wines with such characteristics cause disappointment, then sparkling wines cause delight. It is not surprising that during the period of rapid development of the champagne trade in the 19th century. The production of sparkling wines began in Saumur. Today, the Loire enjoys the reputation of being the largest sparkling wine market outside of Champagne itself.
Spirit Hunter of Louis
My friend clearly liked it in France. What does free wine and pretty French women do! I was still thinking about a Thai massage and an ocean holiday until Mark suggested going to Chateau de Chambord. This is the kings' hunting lodge, where I suspect they took their girlfriends. Previously, tokalkas also bought houses with servants, holding dinner parties in castles, while the legal wife decided the fate of the people in Versailles. I was more interested in the legends about local ghosts. I don’t believe in them, but the French are sure that they are found here. Actually, that's why I went to Louis's hunting lodge. Now these same hunting lodges are being bought by our oligarchs.
I fell behind the guide and turned on my headphones for Russian-speaking tourists. Long introduction aside, the history of Chambord is interesting.
Chateau de Chambord is a citadel of medieval architecture. It was built by order of King Francis I in 1519 and served as a hunting lodge. King Francis spared no expense in building the castle; he was not embarrassed by his debt to Spain. He devoted all his efforts to engineers and workers to build his “house.” Moreover, he raised taxes on the church and forced his subjects to melt silver. The design of the building was developed by the Italian architect Domenico da Cortona, but they also say that Leonardo da Vinci had a hand in the work. It was he who suggested the elements for finishing the building. Leonardo da Vinci also designed the staircase in the castle. The central ladder is made with double spiral winding. There are a total of 77 staircases in the castle. They say that Francis specifically ordered the construction of many stairs so that his favorites would not collide with each other. Beautiful Constantinople with its many columns served as inspiration for the creation of the Chateau de Chambord.
Stinky cheese or fries
After a long excursion, I was attacked by a glutton. The French women who were leaving the castle helped me find the cafe. They turned out to be atypical Europeans; they knew where Kazakhstan and Astana were. The feeling of pride gave way to a moment of anger after the mention of Borat. They apparently expected me to wash my hands in the toilet, but I decided to disappoint them and behaved like an English dandy. In the cafe we ordered oysters, I read somewhere that they have a positive effect on potency. I don’t know about the health benefits, but the taste is a nightmare! Nothing beats horse meat, oysters and frog legs! Send the brie cheese there, smelling like bachelor socks.
Day 1 Moscow - Nice: Arrival V Nice.Detailed information on recommended flights from Russian cities and transfers is presented in the “Recommended Flights” section under the tour description. Transfer and hotel accommodation. We also organize transfers from Genoa. Free time.
After noon walking tour of Nice , founded by the ancient Greeks, which turned into a popular seaside resort European aristocracy. Many artists have linked their fate with Nice. IN Matisse Museum there is one of the largest collections of paintings by the master. IN Marc Chagall Museum presents works by the famous artist on biblical themes. Free time.
Day 2 Nice - Verdon Gorge - Moustiers Saint Marie - Roussillon - Marseille: Departure for a journey through the south of France along picturesque national roads. Visit on the way Verdon Gorgewith a stop at Lake of the Holy Cross. Then You will stop at a mountain village Moustier Saint Marie(~ 140 km), then you will have a stop at Roussillon(~100 km), which is a member of the Association of the "most beautiful villages France", with a short excursion and his famous natural park with ocher hills. Free time for lunch.
Then you will go to Marseille (~ 95 km). Accommodation at a hotel in Marseille. Free time. While in Marseille you should definitely tryBouillabaisse - Provencal fish soup, which is usually prepared for 2 - 3 people and which will cost about €50 - €60. You can try Marseille Bouillabaisse, for example in a restaurant Les Miramar at Quai du Port 12.Alternatively, you can also have a nice dinner in a restaurant Toinou at Cours Saint-Louis, 3 , located near the Old Port. Here you can try almost everything that local fishermen catch: oysters, shrimp, crabs, mussels, scallops, snails, which are delivered here 6 times a day!
Day 3 Marseille - Avignon: Sightseeing tour of Marseille, a port city in the south of France, founded by Greek traders in the 7th century. BC. At the top of the city is the Romano-Byzantine-style Basilica of Notre-Dame de la Garde, which offers magnificent views of Marseille and is included in a city tour. The most famous modern buildings are the Radiant City complex, designed by Le Corbusier, and the CMA CGM Tower skyscraper by architect Zaha Hadid.
Free time. We recommend visiting Museum of European and Mediterranean Civilizations- a building in the form of a huge black cube near the Old Port. Opening from the roof of the museum beautiful views to the Mediterranean Sea and old port, and the building itself is connected pedestrian bridge with Fort Saint-Jean - St Jean of the 17th century. On the roof of the museum good restaurant with original cuisine Le Môle Passédat- address Quai du Port, 201. Lunch according to the “formula” will cost ~€20 here. Moving Avignon(~105 km). Hotel accommodation.
Day 4 Avignon - Pont du Gard - Nimes:Avignon walking tour - medieval city, famous for the Papal Palace of the 14th century. Papal Palace- historical and architectural monument, object World Heritage UNESCO and one of the largest palaces in Europe. Avignon hosts an annual Theater Festival. Free time in Avignon. We recommend visiting Papal Palace, where you can walk with an audio guide in Russian. If you climb to the very top, you will be able to see a beautiful panorama of Avignon overlooking the famous Avignon Bridge and the Rhone River. Free time for lunch.
In the afternoon, a trip to the monument of the Roman era - the aqueduct bridge Pont du Gard(~25 km). The Pont du Gard is the highest surviving ancient Roman aqueduct with a length of 275 meters and a height of 47 meters. UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Then excursion to Nimes(~ 30 km) with a tour of the ancient Roman Arena for 23,000 spectators, built under Caesar, and the Maison Care Temple, erected under Emperor Augustus. We recommend visiting the Arena inside - it is still used for concerts - the acoustics are amazing. Free time. Return to the hotel in Avignon (~ 44 km)
Day 5 Avignon - Orange - Beau de Provence: Excursion trip to Provence. First you will go to the city Orange(~30 km). Orange, which was one of the most prosperous centers of Roman Provence under Emperor Augustus, is famous today mainly due to Ancient Roman theater, in which in the summer months are held music festivals. This horseshoe-shaped theater has no equal in terms of its state of preservation: the rear wall is more than 100 meters long, and in the central niche stands a 3.5-meter high statue of Emperor Augustus. Next to the theater is wonderful museum dedicated to the history of Ancient Rome.
Transfer to a picturesque village Beau de Provence , which is included in the Association of “the most beautiful villages in France”, leads serpentine roads (~ 60 km). We recommend climbing to the very top of Beau de Provence, visiting the fortress and looking at the magnificent landscapes of Provence from above. The excursion day will end Wine tasting in Chateauneuf du Pape*. Return to Avignon.
Day 6 Avignon - Gordes - Senanque - Aix-en-Provence: Moving to a medieval village Proud(~50 km). A short stop. Medieval buildings dating back to the 12th century have been preserved here. Many people remember Gord from the movie " Good year". A short stop at Abbeys of Senanque(~ 5 km), located against the backdrop of lavender fields.
Moving to Aix-en-Provence(~75 km) is a university town in Provence, where the famous post-impressionist artist Paul Cézanne was born. The city is also known forEuropean Academy of Music and many art festivals. Excursion around Aix-en-Provence. Free time. Accommodation at a hotel in Aix-en-Provence.
Day 7 Aix-en-Provence - Arles - Camargue - Carcassonne: Moving to Arles(~80 km). Walking tour of the city of Arles, one of the historical cities in the south of the country associated with history ancient Rome. Moving to Camargue(~12 km) regional natural Park South of France. Moving to Carcassonne(~228 km). Hotel accommodation in Carcassonne.
Day 8 Carcassonne - Bordeaux:Walking tour of the fortified city of Carcassonne, one of the most beautiful fortified cities medieval Europe: double ring of fortress walls, 52 towers with a length of fortifications of 3 km. It was here that Kevin Costner starred in the film “Robin Hood,” for which the walls of this famous fortress served as the backdrop. Free time for lunch. Moving from Carcassonne to Bordeaux(~340 km). Accommodation at a hotel in Bordeaux.
Day 9 Bordeaux - Cognac - Angouleme: Walking tour of Bordeaux. A trip through the picturesque surroundings of Bordeaux with a visit to the city Cognac(~125 km). You will learn all the secrets of Cognac production technology and will be able to take part in a small tasting. You will learn what "Angel's Share" is. Then the city awaits you Angouleme(~47 km) with its famous cathedral. In the evening return to the hotel l in Bordeaux.
Day 10 Bordeaux - Saint-Emilion - Rocamadour - Narbonne: Moving to Saint-Emilion (~ 50 km) - delightful medieval town on a hilltop above a valley of vineyards on the right bank of the Dordogne river.
Moving to Rocamadour(~ 180 km) - a medieval city on the top of a cliff overlooking the Dordogne Valley, with an amazingly beautiful scattering of medieval houses, churches and terraces, a place of pilgrimage for believers and tourists, one of the three most visited attractions in France. Excursion to Rocamadour. Free time for lunch. Moving to Narbonne(~320 km). Hotel accommodation.
Day 11 Narbonne - Sigean - Nice: Walking tour of Narbonne. Moving to the safari park Sizhan(~22 km). Safari Park Sigean is considered unique reserve African wild nature in France. Sizhan is interesting because here you cannot see the usual enclosures in which their inhabitants huddle closely. All collected animals are in conditions close to their usual habitat and roam freely around its territory. Entry tickets 35 euros to be paid on the spot. Transfer to Marseille (~ 280 km). Free time for lunch. Moving to Nice (~ 200 km) - the capital Cote d'Azur France. Hotel accommodation.
Day 12 Nice:
"EXTRA PACKAGE NICE"
Day 12 Nice: Free time in the morning. After noonExcursion to Monaco On the way, stop at the medieval the village of Eze, rising at an altitude of 427 meters above the peninsula of Saint-Jean-Cap-Ferrat, from where beautiful views to the Cote d'Azur, with a visit Perfume factory and perfume museum. During your free time in Monaco, we recommend visiting the magnificent aquariums in Oceanographic Museum and Exotic Plant Garden. Fans of vintage cars will be interested in the Prince of Monaco Automotive Museum. Return to Nice.
Day 13 Nice: Excursion trip Cannes - Grasse with a visit to the perfume museum. Cannes- the venue of the famous Cannes Film Festival and the city Grass- the capital of French perfumery, located 20 km from the seashore, has retained its provincial charm. You will see a picturesque Old city, on the streets of which ancient perfume shops still operate.
Day 14 Nice: Free time. Transfer to Nice airport.
This enchanting tour You can visit not only as an independent visit, but also as an extension of the program of your trip to Paris. During it, you will take fascinating excursions around Normandy, Brittany and the Loire River valley, get acquainted with their history, natural and architectural attractions, and visit castles that once belonged to the French nobility.
One of the oldest French cities, Rouen will open to guests as a Viking city and the ancient capital of Normandy. On the Old Market Square you will hear a story related to the Maid of Orleans. Honfleur - the most beautiful sea port, along whose picturesque streets it is pleasant to stroll, leisurely examining the beauty of the Old Town. Deauville is considered a city of aristocrats, being a luxurious resort on the English Channel. Despite significant destruction during the war, Caen still remains one of the most architecturally interesting cities in Northern France. Many centuries on a rock in the middle of the waters and quicksand The abbey of Mont Saint-Michel flaunts, combining natural uniqueness, architectural merits and mystical history. Angers, thanks to its historical past, is considered the most English of French cities.
The Loire River Valley is another unique area in France. No one can say for sure the total number of castles located on its territory, but each of them has a unique history and architecture. Thus, Chenonceau is called a castle-bridge, as it spans the river, Amboise is partly glorified by the name of Leonardo da Vinci, Chambord is considered one of the most romantic castles in France.
Tour program
Arrival. If desired, program in Paris.
Paris - Rouen - Honfleur - Deauville - Caen
08:00 – meeting with the guide. Transfer to the city of Rouen (135 km) - a Viking city, the ancient capital of Normandy and the modern capital of the Upper Normandy region. Rouen is one of the largest, oldest and most beautiful cities France. There is a panoramic view in Rouen hiking with a tour of the magnificent Rouen Cathedral, as well as a walk through the Old Market Square, associated with the history of Joan of Arc, and along the Rue Gros Horloge with its ancient clock tower.
Transfer to the city of Honfleur (92 km) – one of the most beautiful seaports in France. Walk through the Old Town with picturesque streets, 17th century salt warehouses, old docks and the ancient Enclo quarter. Walk along the embankment of St. Catherine, visiting the church of the same name - a rare example of wooden architecture of the 16th century.
Travel to Deauville (18 km) – a luxury resort on the English Channel with the widest sandy beach and the famous boardwalk with “signature” cinematic booths. A city of aristocrats, casinos and romantic stories inspired by the cult film by Claude Lelouch “A Man and a Woman”. Walking tour around town.
Transfer to Caen (60 km). Architecturally, Caen is one of the most interesting cities located in Northern France. Walking tour around the city. Overnight at a hotel in Caen.
Mont Saint Michel - Saint Malo - Angers
Start of the day in Mont Saint-Michel (Le Mont-Saint-Michel) – (125 km). The Abbey of Mont Saint-Michel is a real pearl of medieval Gothic, an island-abbey, an island-mirage on a granite rock among shifting sands, rapid ebbs and flows, one of the pilgrimage shrines of the Christian world. Mont Saint-Michel is included in the list of UNESCO sites and has no analogues in the world for its combination of architectural merits, mystical history and natural uniqueness. The abbey, dedicated to Michael the Archangel, has been rising on the mountain since the 7th century and all these centuries has attracted the curious, the suffering and the faithful. Today Mont Saint-Michel is the second most visited place in France after Paris.
Transfer to Saint-Malo (54 km) - a fortified city, the eternal rival of the Norman Mont Saint-Michel, a refuge for formidable corsairs, the place of the most powerful ebbs and flows in Europe, the birthplace of the discoverer of Canada, Jacques Cartier. The program includes a walking tour of Intra Muros – ancient city, enclosed in a ring of fortress walls, from which a beautiful sea panorama and views of ancient forts open. After the tour, you can buy real Breton souvenirs and delicacies in the shops of the city.
Transfer to Angers (198 km), walking tour of historical center himself English city France, which became the cradle and “second capital” of the English royal Plantagenet dynasty. A majestic fortress with 15 formidable bastions has reigned over the city and the river for many centuries, the foundation of which was laid in the 9th century, defending itself from the attacks of the Normans, by the warlike and cruel owner of these places - Fulk Nerra, Count of Anjou. The city has always been at the crossroads of wars from the pre-Roman era to the Second World War, which miraculously spared the city.
Accommodation in Angers.
Amboise - Chenonceau - Chambord - Paris
Loire Valley. Visit to the castles of Chenonceau, Amboise (internal inspection) and Chambord (external inspection).
Transfer to Chenonceau (159 km) - one of the most beautiful and elegant castles of the Loire Valley, a castle-bridge spanning the Cher River. “Castle of the Five Ladies”, which belonged to the beautiful favorite of Francis II, Diane de Poitiers. The castle is deservedly recognized as a masterpiece of architecture and is under UNESCO protection.
Amboise (20 km) - a masterpiece of Renaissance architecture, the favorite castle of the kings of the Valois dynasty - Charles VIII and Francis I; the place where Leonardo da Vinci made his last brilliant discoveries. Here the great Italian lived his last years (in the nearby castle of Clos-Lucé), found eternal peace and left his magical “La Gioconda” to the French crown as a token of gratitude.
Chambord (58 km) is one of the most recognizable and romantic castles in France. It was built by order of King Francis I of Valois, a fine connoisseur of the arts, the founder of the Renaissance in France, and the patron of Leonardo da Vinci. This castle served the king as a hunting residence, and at the same time gave him an excellent opportunity to be closer to his beloved, Countess Turi, who lived nearby.
Transfer to Paris (178 km).
If desired, a program in Paris. Departure.
Finally, I’ll post photos from this year’s summer trip - " big Adventure By southern province France "with DSBW. Route: Nice - Avignon - Pont du Gard - Nimes - Carcassonne - Bordeaux - Cognac - Angouleme - Sarlas la Caneda - Rocamadour - Toulouse - Arles - Marseille - and 4 more days of rest in Nice. The tour is very interesting and beautiful, especially if you are interested in Roman architecture. Personally, I am more interested in the Black Virgins - so for me this tour also turned out to be quite eventful and educational, although in some cities (I brought a list from Moscow where I could see the Black Madonnas along the route) I had to search, and here and there there were some little adventures.
The main disadvantage is that we came at the worst possible time, late July - early August. It depends on you, but by the middle of the tour I was simply feeling ill from the heat (although a whole day of partying for fun in Bordeaux improved the situation somewhat). If interested, I can tell you about the organizer and the guide.
And the advantages... what can I say about them, they are all in the photographs.
Market in Nice
Panorama
Avignon. The square in front of the Papal Palace.
There was a theater festival in Avignon at that time, and throughout the central part artists gave their little performances
View of the Saint-Benezé Bridge (pont d'Avignon from a song that every Frenchman allegedly knows; however, the tune is familiar even to me)
Pont du Gard is a stunning monument of Roman architecture...
And a little memory of our tourist ancestors (note the date in this “Vasya was here”)
Gallery on the first level of the bridge. Here, it seems to me, the scale and power of the structure is very well felt...
Roman Arena in Nîmes (1st half of the 1st century AD)
She's inside. You can walk around the entire amphitheater from the top, although you need appropriate physical conditions - you constantly have to climb considerable steps, up and down. But it's worth it!
And this is just my personal very strong impression. Something like a stone mound, and among the stones... faces. What does this mean - I don't know
Bordeaux, St. Andrew's Cathedral
Local entertainment is a fountain on the Garonne embankment. Just an area covered with a thin layer of water that barely covers your feet. Personally, I took off my shoes and frolicked. Local residents are clearly having fun with the same thing.
Of course, there are Roman ruins here too...
Triumphal Arch
And this is the statue in front of the building Faculty of Medicine. The students were clearly celebrating their graduation...
Sardia la Caneda. Foie gras production center, by the way! Therefore, the geese are honored and respected here.
In general, this is a real medieval city with very narrow and very crooked streets, in which it’s easy to get lost
And this is Rocamadour - a major European pilgrimage center, part of the Way of Santiago.
This is a castle and three churches, partly built on a small platform on a rock, partly carved right into this rock.
A winding road leads from the church up to the castle, symbolizing the way of the cross of Christ; Once upon a time, pilgrims walked it on their knees. And in one of the churches one of the Black Virgin Marys is kept
(sorry about the quality)
Toulouse. The city is pink! Once upon a time it was only possible to build here with brick; and now a house made of any material will certainly be painted or at least trimmed red or pink
Capitolium
Arles. There is a Roman amphitheater here too, but in some places it has been restored in our time
Van Gogh was once treated here
Marseilles.
Notre-Dame de la Garde blesses the city from above from the magnificent cathedral
And in the cathedral itself there is a wonderful silver statue of the Virgin Mary
In the group of islands, the middle one (and the smallest) is the same island on which the Château d'If is located. Unfortunately, we didn't get it
Here’s a closer look at the castle (notre-Dame de la Garde can be seen behind it)
La Major Cathedral
We went to Grasse on our own while we lived in Nice for 4 days. Small cozy town, although crawling to it from the station (quite high up the mountain) is not so easy. There are also elegant streets there...
And those where Jean-Baptiste Grenouille, apparently, lay in wait for his victims
And this is a panorama of Cannes - we stopped by on the road from Grasse
And this is Monaco - Monte Carlo - another of our independent trips.
It’s a pity that you can’t film in the prince’s palace, although everything is clear - the palace is residential, and, standing on the gallery of the courtyard, you don’t know - what if the prince is personally watching you from the window of his wing? If you visit, be sure to take a tour! They give you headphones, there is a tour in Russian (and very good Russian), and I highly recommend seeing the palace itself. We also visited an exhibition dedicated to Princess Grazia Patricia - actress Grace Kelly. How local resident love their princely family! The English also love their queen, but they also make fun of her and scold her... And here - such touching love...
Princely Palace
"Changing of the Page Guard"
A piece of the Formula 1 track
And there are also these racing cars in the city
Famous Casino
A small educational program: Black Madonnas, Black Virgins, Vierges Noires are statues of the Mother of God made of black/dark material or painted black. Madonna has been revered at all times, and no one knows why her images were made black. I rummaged through a lot of things (although, unfortunately, I was only able to read articles written in Russian and English), as a result I discovered: serious researchers are quite careful, with the reservations “it is likely that it could be”, they say that these are possibly remnants of Celtic cults - newly converted Catholics tried to cross their old beliefs and gods with the new religion; this is the most common version. The “obsessed” (Eco defined them very well) claim approximately the same thing, but categorically (somewhere I even came across the theory that some of these statues are former statues Isis and Osiris). Perhaps there is some truth in this - some statues are very far from traditional Catholic images and are more reminiscent of statues from Easter Island.
So here it is. I posted Notre-Dame de Rocamadour above. Here it is closer - it’s an ordinary postcard, I took the photo on the Internet
12th century, possibly 9th. One of the few surviving originals that are so old - most often I personally have come across either copies or simply newer statues.
This is Notre-Dame de la Daurade in Toulouse.
It is from 1806, made to replace the statue destroyed during the revolution, but it is very different from the original. She is considered the patroness of expectant mothers.
In Toulouse, according to my list, there should have been another statue, but some confusion arose with it. I was looking for Notre-Dame du Palais - a statue made of dark stone, which should now be located on the Jesuit Church. We found this church in the middle of the night... There is this statue there:
In principle, everything is correct - the stone is not that light.
And then on a tour we found this one:
It is located above the entrance to the Notre-Dame du Taur church and also fits the description in all respects (to be honest, it’s quite meager)). In short, I'm still at a loss. Until I get around to contacting the author of the list where I got the information from and asking for advice.
There was another statue in Arles, but, unfortunately, we didn’t see it - we didn’t have much time in the city, according to the program it was in the evening, and the church, which I suspected was the Black Virgin there))), was closed.
But we found the Black Virgin in Marseille - Notre-Dame de la Confession
It is in the basilica of the Abbey of Saint-Victor, wood, 13th century.
And finally - those same statues from Chartres Cathedral:
Notre-Dame de Sous-Terre
Notre-Dame du Pilier
(photo stolen from the official website of the cathedral)
