Sanary-sur-Mer
The base for this rail tour is the delightful seaside town of Sanary, with its delightful harbour lined with pretty pink and white houses and medieval tower. Full of attractive harbourside cafés, bars and restaurants, Sanary is a delightful place for an evening stroll and delicious dinner.
Toulon & Hyères
Tucked into a fine natural harbour, Toulon is home to France’s Mediterranean fleet. Sights here include the opera house, Cathedrale Ste-Marie-de-la-Sedo and several interesting museums including the Musée des Arts Asiatique, Baroque Musée de la Marine and Hotel des Arts. The palm-tree-lined streets of Hyères make for a charming town, one of the oldest resorts in the south of France, attracting such luminaries as Queen Victoria, Robert Louis Stevenson and Edoth Wharton since its 18th century inception. Sights here include the 13th century church of St Louis, delightful old town and elegant Belle-Epoque buildings.
Bandol, Cassis & the Calanques
Bandol, a cheerful seaside resort with tree-lined promenade, casino and yacht harbour, is renowned for its superb red wines, produced here since 600 BC, often served cold. Cassis has remained much the same little fishing village that attracted artists such as Signac and Derain, and is a great place to relax at a waterside café. From Marseille to Cassis the coastline forms narrow inlets, the Calanques, a series of jagged white cliffs (some up to 400 metres high) reflected in the dazzling turquoise water.
Marseilles
A fascinating day to day as we explore France’s largest port and 2nd largest city, Marseilles, with a population of 800,000. It has close links to the Middle East and North Africa which lend it an exotic, cosmopolitan air. Sights here included the renowned fish market, the old harbour, Chateau d’If, setting for Dumas’ Counte of Monte Cristo, 11th century Abbey of St Victor, church of Notre-Dame-de-la-Garde, Cathédrale de la Major and several excellent museums including the Musée des Beaux Arts and Archaeology Museum.
Aix-en-Provence
Aix-en-Provence is one of Provence’s most beautiful towns with a wealth of sights that reward detailed exploration. Highlights include the Cathedral of St Sauveur, noted for Froment’s “Triptych of the Burning Bush” and several museusm including the Archaeology and Tapestry Museums. There is a Cézanne trail, too, that takes you to significant locations in the artist’s life, such as the family estate, Jas de Bouffan, the quarries at Bibémus, and his studio at Les Lauves. Aix is a wonderful place to linger, too, at an outdoor café, particularly one of many along the elegant tree-lined Cours Mirabeau.
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St Tropez & Grimaud
Favoured destination of the rich and famous, St Tropez retains its charm despite the onslaught of summer visitors. There is lots to see here - the old town, pretty Quai Jenan-Jaures lined with pretty painted houses, Baroque 19th century Church of the Assumption, citadel and innovative Musee de l'Annonciade, housed in a former chapel, and containing an exceptional collection of early 20th century art including works by Signac, Bonnard and many more. The picturesque hill village of Grimaud is a legacy of the ubiquitous Grimaldi family and is dominated by its 12th century castle ruins. Offering lovely coastal views, its position made it an ideal place for the Knights Templar to watch for invasions as its manin street, the Rue des Templiers, dates from this time, lined with arcades designed to be battened down in case of attack.