Chateau D'Iff, Marseille

Avignon

This famous walled city is the historical gateway to provence, on the A7 from LYON (before the exit you take for Maussane, see further information) which ends up in Marseille. Avignon is worth a stop on your way past, if you have the time. But, like Marseille, it is best visited for a full day out if you have something specific you wish to see - the Palais des Papes, for example.

Marseille

A busy port both for air and sea, Marseille is the largest city in the region, and has plenty to visit, including the historic offshore prison pictured at the top of the page. It is also on the TGV route, which then curls East along the Cote D'Azure to Monaco and NICE.

The list of places to visit in this stunning area can seem endless, limited mainly by how far afield you choose to travel. The breathtaking Canyon du Verdon (above), for example, is a 2 - 3 hour drive East of your base in Maussane.