Top Things to do in Provence-Alpes-Cote d'Azur
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Things to do in Provence-Alpes-Cote d'Azur, France: The Best Castles
Discover the best top things to do in Provence-Alpes-Cote d'Azur, France including Palais des Papes, Chateau des Baux de Provence, Haut de Cagnes, Chateau de Roquebrune-Cap-Martin, Chateau d'Ansouis, Chateau de Grimaud, Chateau St Saturnin Les Apt, Chateau de Sauvan, Medieval castle Simiane-la-Rotonde, Chateau Vignelaure.
Restaurants in Provence-Alpes-Cote d'Azur
1. Palais des Papes
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 10,840 reviews
The residence of the soveriegn pontiffs in the 14th century is the largest Gothic Palace in the world. 25 areas to visit : ceremonila halls, chapels, cloister, the Pope's provate apartments with their priceless frescos, as well as a scenographic area, the Musée de l'Oeuvre, wich presents the development and history of the building since it was build. Ranked as UNESCO world heritage.
Reviewed By YairBarZohar - Qiryat Ata, Israel
After going through some of Avignon's other sites, you finally reached the highlight - the Pope's Palace. The palace, built between 1335 and 1352, is the largest Gothic palace in the world. This palace served as the residence of the popes in the 14th century and was also the place where six closed meetings were held, under which six popes were elected. This important site entered the UNESCO World Heritage Site list in 1995. As part of your visit to the Pope's Palace, you can tour more than 25 rooms open to the public. One of the highlights of the visit is the opportunity to see the Pope's living rooms from the time he lived here. Also, be impressed by the spectacular fresco paintings, which adorn a large part of the halls and chapels. You can hire an audio guide at the entrance. If you wish, you can choose to visit the Pope's Palace as part of a guided walking tour of Avignon, which includes a queue entrance to the Pope's Palace. Admission is reasonable. Children 8 and under come in for free. The card can be used with the San Benza Bridge. Opening hours: from April to the end of June and September to the beginning of November from 9:00 to 19:00, November to the end of February from 9:30 to 17:45, March from 9:00 to 18:30, July to 9 : 00-20: 00, August 9: 00-20: 30. How long should you visit? Between two and three hours. The Pope's Palace is adjacent to Avignon Cathedral to the south.
2. Chateau des Baux de Provence
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 2,959 reviews
With a view over Provence to the Mediterranean, the Château des Baux is one of the most beautiful sites in France. It is also a unique place marked by a turbulent past of more than ten centuries: from the Counts of Les Baux (who claimed to be descended from King Balthazar) to the Château’s destruction in 1483 by Richelieu after the wars of religion.This medieval stronghold contains both a castle and a village.
Reviewed By 18philippeb - Toulouse, France
We do recommend to visit this castle for at least three reasons. First of all the place offers unique views on the countryside to the south, the Alpilles mountains to the north and of the village itself. Furthermore, the castle itself is an interesting example of medieval architecture with it’s walls, towers and the dungeon. Visiting all this and more requires good shoes and good shape to get up and down through narrow and sharp stairs. Finally the site organizes educative shows about craftsmanship and even war machines. You’ll need about one hour and a half to complete the visit.
3. Haut de Cagnes
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 744 reviews
Reviewed By grego775
Fantastic Tour of the Castle in a medieval village of immense charm ten minutes walk from main town centre
4. Chateau de Roquebrune-Cap-Martin
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 291 reviews
Reviewed By pjh1957 - Darlington, United Kingdom
Having dined in La Turbie I recommended to my friends that we continue with a short drive along the Corniche to visit this perched village before heading to back to Nice.I had visited earlier in the year and was bowled over at the time and thought it merited a second visit.Having parked the car we first visited the display of hand made Christmas crèches- which showed the creativity of the local residents in turning all types of pasta,empty egg shells and other everyday items into beautiful nativity scenes.Throughout the village santons and other models were on display. We meandered from the main square through the narrow streets and up to the castle which dates from c900AD. The entrance fee of 5 euros is worth it to enjoy the unbelievable panoramic views over the rooftops west towards Menton,east towards Monaco. There is banked seating overlooking the main terrace where plays are staged in the summer months.Definitely worth coming back to watch a production here.
5. Chateau d'Ansouis
6. Chateau de Grimaud
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 517 reviews
Welcome at Grimaud Castle ! We hope you'll enjoy your visit in this monument ! Let a comment to say what you think about it !
7. Chateau St Saturnin Les Apt
8. Chateau de Sauvan
9. Medieval castle Simiane-la-Rotonde
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 109 reviews
Visitors to the Castle of Simiane la Rotonde are taken back a thousand years into the history of a monument built on the site of a former Roman oppidum. Unique place in Provence, the great ceremonial chamber of the "Rotonde" with its magnificient ribbed cupola opening into an occulus with a sculpted wreath of flowers. The capitals of the pillars separating 12 arches round the wall are decorated with expressive stone masks from a symbolic medieval bestiary. Exhibitions of paintings, drawings or sculpture are regularly renewed each season. Every summer, in August, an early music festival is held in this beautiful room which once welcomed troubadours. The Sainte Victoire aromatherapy laboratory is situated in the South wing of the Castle. It offers an introduction to the benefits of aromatic essential oils. The Castle is now the property of the commune and has been listed as an Historic Monument since 2000.
10. Chateau Vignelaure
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 64 reviews
Au Nord-Est du département du Var, à 35 km d'Aix-en-Provence, au cœur d’une nature immaculée et sauvage, se dresse le Château Vignelaure et ses superbes dépendances. Précurseur du Cabernet Sauvignon dans la région, le vignoble de 55 ha est reconnu pour la production de vins rouges alliant élégance, complexité et très long potentiel de garde. Convertis en agriculture biologique, le Château élabore aussi de jolis vins rosés et blancs parfaitement équilibrés. In north-eastern Var department and 35 km away from Aix-en-Provence, surrounded by wild and immaculate nature, stands Château Vignelaure. The vineyard is the pioneer as far as planting Cabernet Sauvignon in Provence. It is 55 ha and well-known for its red wines that offer balanced between complexity and elegance, with a long ageing potential. Château Vignelaure is converting to organic production and is also making nice white and rosé wines, perfectly balanced.
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