Things to do in Aix-en-Provence

Chateau La Coste en Provence

Barrage de Bimont

Site Memorial du Camp des Milles

Site Memorial du Camp des Milles is currently one of the largest World War II memorials in France, and a well-preserved internment camp memorial. In addition to its exhibits and displays, the memorial organizes a variety of educational activities, such as lectures. The memorial also features multimedia displays and interactive installations to help visitors gain a deeper understanding of the historical events of World War II.

Gulli Parc

No. 7 of Best Things to Do in Provence

Château d'If

The smaller island of Marseille, 300 meters long and 180 meters wide. At first, the island was uninhabited. King Francis I, when he was lucky enough to drive here in 1516, fully realized its defensive value and ordered the construction of a fortress, the Château Yves. It was an impregnable fortification that later became a state prison, where many princes and descendants of princes (such as Mirabeau) were imprisoned. It is said that Yves Castle is very tightly guarded, and it is impossible for prisoners to escape from here. However, Father Faria and Edmond Dantès, who were imprisoned here, managed to escape. Based on their experiences, Alexandre Dumas wrote the famous novel "The Count of Monte Cristo", and the Château Yves became famous because of this novel.

No. 6 of Best Things to Do in Marseille

Chateau d'If

Located on a 3-hectare limestone island 3.5 miles from the old port of Marseille, the Château d'If is a square fortress with a side length of 28 meters. In 1516, King François I of France came here, fully aware of its defensive value, and ordered the construction of a fort here, which is the symbol of Yves: Fort Yves. Chateau Yves has the advantage of natural danger, the defense is extremely tight, and it is almost impossible for prisoners to escape, and Alexandre Dumas is based on the experience of the only two escapees, Father Faria and Edmond Dantès. The world famous book "The Count of Monte Cristo", Château Yves is also famous because of this novel. Today, the cell in Château Yves has deliberately dug a passage according to the layout in the story. The Château d'If was originally an impregnable fortification in Marseille, and later became a national prison, where many princes, descendants of princes and nobles, Protestants, political prisoners, revolutionaries, etc. were imprisoned. The castle's conversion to a prison dates back to 1658, when Louis XIV, in his crackdown on the heretics, turned the Château d'If into a prison for Protestants and criminals. In the 19th century, after the French bourgeois revolution broke out, Château Yves was completely transformed into a prison for the feudal dynasty to suppress political prisoners. Since the first prisoner was held in 1580, the Isle of Yves has imprisoned more than 3,000 people over the centuries.

Place d'Albertas

The center of the square features a beautiful Baroque style fountain surrounded by limestone buildings, making it a popular destination for tourists and locals.

No. 8 of Best Things to Do in Marseille

Marseille Cathedral

Marseille Cathedral is located in the northern part of Marseille's city center, near the Old Port and the Mediterranean coast, and is one of the representative religious buildings in Marseille. Its existing main structure was primarily built in the 19th century, featuring an architectural style that blends Romanesque and Byzantine elements, and is renowned for its magnificent scale, striking appearance, and rich decorations. The building's exterior walls are constructed with alternating layers of light-colored and green stone, creating a unique striped effect that is highly visible from a distance. It features large domes, arches, and lofty towers, with an overall design that is solemn and layered, showcasing the grandeur of 19th-century religious architecture.

Grand Théâtre de Provence

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