Recently we told you about some of the great Roman sites in the South of France. This week, we move forward about a thousand years to explore some vestiges of the medieval era, when France was just beginning to come into its own as a sovereign nation. These sites offer a historical backdrop for your vacation and after a full day of exploring the past, nothing could be better than coming back to a furnished apartment rental in the South of France from New York Habitat.
You may want to begin your journey back through time in the medieval village of Les-Baux-de-Provence. This small town, nestled in among the Alpilles mountains, is known as one of the most picturesque in France. The main feature of this town is the huge medieval fortress, complete with castle and small village, perched atop the cliffs. Take a tour of this amazing relic of a past era where you can see real working trebuchets, jousts and other recreations of medieval life.
For more on visit the office website of Les Baux and its fortress castle.
In Les-Baux, you can even feel like you’re living in medieval times by staying in this bed-and-breakfast establishment, a hosted 3 bedroom maison de village rental (PR-248). Each room has medieval touches, such as tapestries on the walls or beamed ceilings. However, the kitchen and bathrooms have been updated to include modern conveniences. Some rooms include private terraces and all of them offer exquisite views of the town.
From Les-Baux, it is just a short drive into Avignon and all of its attractions. For example, you’ll find the Palais des Papes (the Palace of the Popes), home to the head of Catholicism for much of the 14th century. A wonderful example of medieval Gothic architecture, this palace was commissioned by Pope Clement V in 1309 and was home to 6 other popes and 2 anti-popes. After the Catholic leaders returned to Rome, the palace fell into disrepair until the beginning of the 20th century when it was declared a national monument and museum. After extensive restoration, most of the castle is now open to the public. Avignon is a large city in the South of France and has much more to offer so you may want to spend several days here.
You’ll want to stay in this 2 bedroom duplex penthouse vacation rental apartment in Avignon (PR-615) during your visit there. Able to accommodate up to four people, this luxurious apartment is sunny and spacious. The open kitchen is modern and the perfect place to cook a meal with ingredients bought from the local market. The large bedrooms and modern bathrooms will make you feel right at home. Located just steps from the palace and the center of town, this apartment offers views from each room, and from the large open terrace, making it a truly wonderful place to stay.
If you’d like to visit several attractions in the South of France on your next vacation, planning your trip around a theme is a great way to do so. Visiting these medieval sites will allow you to experience small town life in Les-Baux-de-Provence, and the larger city of Avignon. Luckily, New York Habitat has accommodations all around the Avignon region for your convenience.
For more on Avignon, read Top towns in the South of France: #2 Avignon, Provence.
Have you visited these sites? Did you enjoy them? Do you have other recommendation about the area? Please share with us in the comments section.
I agree, you can really discover French heritage and the medieval way of life in the South of France. I toured the home of the Knight Templars this summer, and I’m dreaming of staying for the Avignon theater festival (in July?) Also, if anyone knows the name for villages carved into mountains, that would be very helpful!
I remember traveling to the south of France in a mountain town almost similar to this…it’s unfortunate i can’t remember the name. I think going to Les-beaux de provence once i have an opportunity would definetly refresh my memories.
mmmm Southern French food beckons. And Avignon being a student town, I would be sure to have a great time. My goal is to work in a boulangerie 🙂
If you are travelling in this part of France, you may also visit The Pont du Gard (Gard’s Bridge) which is a Roman Heritage/Relic. The purpose of this bridge was to carry out water from the Mediterranean sea up to city of Nimes during the Roman time. This monument is a World Heritage. Following your visit of the Pont du Gard, you can discover the city of Nimes with its wonderful antic arenas and the Maison Carre. This whole journey will bring you back to the ancient time.