The history (and stories) of the south of France
Situated between Marseille, Aix-en-Provence and Nice, the south of France has no shortage of stories to tell. Head off on a walk through history to discover the past of France’s sunshine coast!
Notre-Dame de la Garde
Have you just arrived in Marseille? To dive into Marseille’s history (before visiting the calanques), head to the Notre-Dame de la Garde basilica. This Romanesque-Byzantine church is the city’s key landmark for all locals, as it is visible from every corner of Marseille. Long known as ‘La Bonne Mère’ (‘the Good Mother’), the patron saint of sailors, you can walk up to Notre-Dame de la Garde from Place aux Huiles by following the narrow streets and flights of stairs. You’ll get there – one step at a time! The view over Marseille’s harbour is well worth the climb. Then head inside for a tour surrounded by the stained glass windows, Romanesque arches and boats hanging from the ceiling.
📍 Notre-Dame de la Garde is just a 20-minute metro ride from Marseille station, which is served by TGV Lyria’s Mediterranean line.
Palais des Papes
The Vatican of Provence is just waiting for you to eagerly climb up the steps and embark on a studious tour of the Palais des Papes and discover the medieval city of Avignon. Avignon – and, of course, the palace – has served as the seat of seven popes and two anti-popes. Once you’re there, be sure to explore the ramparts, the cellars and the moats. You’ll feel like you’ve stepped back in time to the Middle Ages!
📍 It won’t take you long to get to the Palais des Papes. It is just ten minutes away from Aix-en-Provence station, which is on a TGV Lyria line!
Nice’s Old Town
Hop off the train at Nice station, drop off your bags at your hotel, then head out to explore! Make a beeline for Nice city centre – with its narrow streets, old-fashioned and artisanal shops, its Niçoise-style ‘souk’ vibe and its hidden gems where you can treat your taste buds. In short, head off on a typical history tour. It is the perfect starting point for your voyage of discovery.
📍 Nice’s Old Town is a ten-minute drive from Nice railway station, which is on TGV Lyria’s Mediterranean line.
Cultural highlights in the south of France
No matter where you are in France, its culture never ceases to amaze. From north to south and east to west, each region has its very own history and cultural sites that are just waiting to be discovered. Here are two of our favourite spots in the south that are sure to inspire you!
The MUCEM
Walk along the Old Port of Marseille, your next stop is the MUCEM. Designed by architect Rudy Ricciotti to mark Marseille’s year as the European Capital of Culture in 2013, the Museum of European and Mediterranean Civilisations is a truly exceptional building that is well worth exploring. Up high, the footbridge offers unparalleled panoramic views of Marseille, while down low, you can wander through the Mediterranean garden or between the stone walls of the Old Fort. You cannot visit this modern architectural marvel and not discover the works of art and collections concealed within its walls. And, of course, you can bring your visit to a close by taking a photo at sunset in front of the delicate concrete latticework cladding the building.
📍 The MUCEM is a 15-minute metro ride from Marseille station, which is accessible from Geneva on a TGV Lyria service!
The studio of Paul Cézanne
What if it were the landscapes of Aix-en-Provence that gave Paul Cézanne the inspiration he needed to create his paintings? If you’d like to find out, why not take a tour in the artist’s footsteps? First of all, head to Musée Granet so you can appreciate some of his works. Then, take an even deeper dive into the artist’s life. Head to the house where he became a painter and explore the garden and family home on the Jas de Bouffan estate. Then go a little further afield and venture to the Bibémus quarries, letting Cézanne’s eye influence yours as you gaze up at Mont Sainte-Victoire.
📍 The studio of Paul Cézanne is a 45-minute bus ride or a 30-minute drive from Aix-en-Provence TGV station, which is on TGV Lyria’s Mediterranean line.
Get a taste of the south of France – literally
If you’d like to go on a foodie voyage of discovery of the south of France, here are two of our favourite specialities that you absolutely must try at least once in your life.
Bouillabaisse
Are you familiar with the Marseille saying ‘Fish live in water and die in olive oil’? Yes, we don’t joke around when it comes to bouillabaisse here – and that saying couldn’t ring any more true! Featuring spices, garlic and noble fish (including red mullet, monkfish, shellfish and others), bouillabaisse is all about flavour, flavour and even more flavour. Our top spot for this delicious delicacy is in Vallon des Auffes, a small fishing port in Marseille. Head to Chez Fonfon to enjoy a taste of the Mediterranean on your plate!
📍Savour Marseille’s specialities in the city’s restaurants, which are accessible from Marseille train station (the last station on TGV Lyria’s Mediterranean line).
Aioli
Picture this. The minute you arrive in Marseille, you head to the port and find a cosy shaded terrace. Then you order a glass of wine, and an amazing aioli to share with friends. The name of this speciality is an apt portmanteau of ail and huile d’olive (the French terms for ‘garlic’ and ‘olive oil’ respectively). Enjoy it with steamed vegetables, fish or anchovy paste. For an aioli that transports you to the south of France as soon as it touches your lips, head for Le Fioupelan for a traditional yet modern take on aioli.
📍 Savour Marseille’s specialities in the city’s restaurants, which are accessible from Marseille train station (the last station on TGV Lyria’s Mediterranean line).
Getaways in the great outdoors in the south of France
Looking for a change of scene? Lots of the natural sites in the south of France are hidden gems. Caves, canyons, calanques, underwater worlds, rocky massifs, scrubland, forests and Mediterranean trails are all just waiting to be explored.
Fontaine de Vaucluse
Set aside half a day during your sun-soaked weekend and stop off at Fontaine de Vaucluse. Visit it in the summertime when the water levels are low and a dark chasm is revealed in the cliff face, with an underground lake 30 metres below. Stroll along the banks of the Sorgue (the river originating from the fountain) to add a touch of magic to your excursion, and discover the riverbed carpeted with fluorescent green aquatic plants.
📍 Fontaine de Vaucluse is a 45-minute drive from Avignon station, which is served by our TGV Lyria trains.
Calanque de Figuerolles
We recommend spending a full day here to truly appreciate this place. Points of interest that are worth visiting on your way to Calanque de Figuerolles include Cassis, which has some of the highest cliffs in Europe, Bec de l’Aigle and La Ciotat. Once you get to Calanque de Figuerolles, a stunning red conglomerate headland awaits you, as does a flight of steps that lead you down into a cool, green valley to the clear, calm waters of Calanque de Figuerolles. Put on your flippers, mask and snorkel and take a well-deserved dive. During your dynamic dip, visit the Posidonia meadow (featuring aquatic plants that are typical of the Mediterranean), which is simply teeming with large mother-of-pearl shells. Now that you’ve satisfied your curiosity, it’s finally time to fill your stomach. At the end of the cove is a small hotel/restaurant that has a uniquely secluded ambiance.
📍 Calanque de Figuerolles is a 50-minute drive from Marseille station, which is the last stop on the TGV Lyria service.
The Colorado Provençal
This is our top spot for hiking. Head off on a hike in the Colorado Provençal, which is reminiscent of the most beautiful natural landscapes in America. These famous open-pit ochre mines are hidden gems near Avignon. This journey of discovery is all about colour. And contrast with the turquoise waters of the Mediterranean Sea and the rainbows in the canyons that were formed over the years by erosion. Over the same years, both the iron and the ochre industry flourished in the village of Rustrel, which is well worth a visit. Finish your walk at the conservatory in what used to be the Usine Mathieu factory and at the Bruoux underground ochre mines to immerse yourself in this industrial and poetic adventure.
📍Rustrel – the home of the Colorado Provençal – is just an hour’s drive from Avignon, which is served by TGV Lyria’s Mediterranean line.