Avignon, France (Photo: ShutterStock)
May 8, 1889. After one of the greatest painters in Western culture, Vincent Van Gogh, had a nervous breakdown that eventually led him to cut off part of his ear, he decided to recalculate his course.
The famous Dutch painter arrived in Provence, fell in love with the place and began to rebuild his life.
The unique atmosphere of the South of France, the kind people and the spectacular landscapes did their thing, leading Van Gogh back on track.
He went back to doing what he knows best - painting of course, and painted some of his greatest works in the southern part of France.
Van Gogh is of course not the only one who was captivated by the charm of southwestern France.
Almost everyone who has visited this unique area falls in love within seconds.
But what exactly do you do in the southwest of France and which cities should not be missed?
If you are planning a trip to Provence, either as part of an independent trip or as part of an organized trip as the Pegasus company takes to the region, you simply must go to these five cities.
Avignon
Avignon, also known as the "City of the Popes", became famous thanks to its amazing architecture, including the famous Palace of the Popes recognized by UNESCO. Apart from impressive architectural buildings that date back to the Middle Ages, Avignon also has quite a few museums, cafes and restaurants. If you come to Avignon, It is not recommended to miss the old city, full of picturesque streets and magical alleys.
The Palace of the Popes (Palais des Papes)
: The Palace of the Popes is one of the most important sites in the south of France. It is a royal palace in the Gothic style (considered one of the largest Gothic palaces in the world) where the Popes lived in the 10th century 14. The palace was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site and is full of fascinating small rooms, magnificent halls, chapels and a dreamy view of the city from the roof.
Pont Saint-Bénézet
: The Saint Benz Bridge or Avignon Bridge is an iconic landmark in the city since the 12th century.
Over the years, the bridge was indeed destroyed and rebuilt several times and today it serves as one of the most popular attractions in the city, where tourists from all over France come to take pictures and enjoy the surrounding spectacular views.
Organized trips to France - for more information on the Pegasus
Rocher des Doms
website : Rocher des Doms is one of the most beautiful parks in the region, which is in a perfect location - on a high hill overlooking the city.
The park has amazing views of the city and its many sites, including the Rhône River and the entire surrounding countryside.
In the park, besides many sitting areas and a few cafes, there is also a beautiful botanical garden and even a playground for children.
The castle in Carcassonne
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Carcassonne
Once you arrive in this special city, you will feel that you have gone back in time, right to the Middle Ages.
Carcassonne is surrounded by impressive walls and towers, with many historic buildings surrounding it, making it a must-see destination for travelers interested in history and ancient architecture.
Carcassonne has quite a few hidden corners that allow you to get an amazing glimpse of the surrounding green landscape, and some of the best wine bars in all of France.
The historic fortified city of Carcassonne (La Cité de Carcassonne)
: One of the most special places in the entire region is undoubtedly this old city, which has existed since the Middle Ages.
It is a type of fortress declared by UNESCO as a world heritage site, surrounded by towers and a huge citadel. Visitors to the place have the opportunity to walk through the alleys of the city, and be impressed by the amazing architecture of the Middle Ages. The
Museum of Torture of Carcassonne (Musée de la Torture de Carcassonne)
: The Carcassonne Museum of Torture provides a rare glimpse into the brutal history of torture during the Middle Ages.
Instead there is a huge collection of tortures, showing the brutal methods they used to torture prisoners.
It should be noted that some areas of the museum are difficult to view.
Carcassonne Museum of Arts (Musée des Beaux-Arts)
: Besides the torture museum, Carcassonne has quite a few museums with a slightly more positive atmosphere, such as the Museum of Arts, which is housed in a magnificent building that was built back in the 18th century.
The museum has magnificent collections of paintings, sculptures and a variety of works from the 17th century to the 20th century.
The fortified village of Dom
Domme
The charming town of Dom sits high above the Dordogne River in the south of the country, and offers visitors a glimpse into the region's rich history and culture.
It too, like other towns in the southwest of France, is full of narrow streets and ancient alleys and impressive architectural buildings.
In addition, near the village there are several intriguing caves worth exploring and ancient castles rich in history.
The fortified village of Domme (Bastide de Domme)
: In the heart of the town of Domme lies a magical village that dates back to the 13th century.
What makes the village unique is the fact that it is surrounded by walls, towers and gates, which testify to its rich history.
Besides impressive buildings and fortresses, the village offers a spectacular view of the Dordogne River and the entire countryside that surrounds it.
Grottes de Domme
: Dom's caves are a unique tourist attraction;
It is a series of natural caves in which there is an impressive collection of stalactites.
Visitors to the place are invited to take part in an independent or guided tour of the place, and along the way learn about the unique geology and rich history of the area.
Castelnaud Castle (Château de Castelnaud)
: Castelnaud Castle is a medieval castle that dates back to the 12th century.
Not only is it a breathtaking castle, it is also possible to find impressive collections of various objects from the Middle Ages, including weapons and pottery, which were used by the locals hundreds of years ago.
The article is sponsored by Pegasus Organized Trips Abroad - as part of its goal of promoting familiarity with world cultures and enriching knowledge.
In partnership with Pegasus
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