Provence Towns  For the best towns and villages in France the area of Provence is tough to rival.  Maybe the Dordogne can better it in terms of overall charm, but for historical significance, towns in Provence have no equal in the whole of France.  The closeness of Italy is reflected strongly, with towns such as Avignon showing the influence of the Church in Rome and many examples of Roman architecture throughout the region.

Nîmes

Location: Just off the A9 autoroute between Orange and Montpellier.

General info: Tourist office website.

Description: Nîmes is a manufacturing centre so as you speed past on the autoroute you could be forgiven for thinking this is a town to be missed.  But you would be mistaken -  Nîmes has a lot to offer including a well-preserved Roman arena, an Augustinian gate, the ruin of Diana's Temple (in La Fontaine Gardens) and the Maison Carrée (Square House - formerly a Roman temple, now a museum of mosaics and statues).

Our recommendations: On a clear day, climb the Tour Magne in le Jardin de la Fontaine for an outstanding view across southern France.

             - Aix-en-Provence
             - Avignon
             - Arles
             - Nîmes

Also worth a visit are Uzès (classical Renaissance architecture) and Fontaine de Vaucluse (ancient water wheels, five museums, artists' studios and the Moulin à Papier paper mill).  And check out our Roman section.

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