Nice Excursion to the Alpilles
One crisp February morning, we set off from Nice on 2.5-hour drive westward into the heart of Provence.
Our destination: the stunning Alpilles region, known for its rugged limestone hills, charming villages, and exquisite wines.
Discovering Les Baux de Provence Wines
As we approached, the landscape unfolded beautifully—rolling vineyards framed by dramatic mountain peaks.
This area is home to the AOP Les Baux de Provence wine appellation, a small and somewhat under-the-radar designation. Finding a vineyard open for visits wasn’t easy, but we were lucky to stop at Mas de la Dame, a historic estate now run by the great-granddaughters of its founder.
Specializing in organic wines and excellent olive oil, their tasting experience was both delightful and educational.
A Culinary Stop in Saint-Rémy-de-Provence
For lunch, we followed a local recommendation and dined at Têtes d’Ail in Saint-Rémy-de-Provence. The food was delicious, perfectly paired with yet another wonderful Baux de Provence wine.
The charm of Saint-Rémy, with its picturesque streets and Provençal ambiance, made for a lovely midday stop.
Exploring Arles: A City of History and Art
In the afternoon, we continued to Arles, a fascinating city of about 54,000 inhabitants.
Despite its modest population, Arles holds the title of the largest municipality in France by area, stretching along the Rhône River.
The town is best known for its remarkably preserved Roman amphitheater, built in 90 AD, which once held 21,000 spectators. Even today, it hosts events, including the region’s famous “gentle” bullfights.
Arles also carries the artistic legacy of Vincent van Gogh, who painted some of his most famous works here.
At the Van Gogh Foundation and throughout the city, you can admire reproductions of his paintings displayed in the very locations that inspired them.
For dinner, we indulged in a delicious meal at Restaurant Lou Marquès, housed in the elegant Hotel Jules César Arles, where we had a few more local wines.
A Journey into the Camargue
The next morning, we set off for Saintes-Maries-de-la-Mer, the heart of the Camargue.
This unique region is known for its untamed beauty—vast salt marshes, grazing black bulls, and iconic white horses. The landscape, with its shimmering lagoons and rice fields, felt like a world of its own.
With the fresh sea breeze and the wild spirit of the Camargue as our last memory, our trip came to a perfect close.
The Alpilles, with its blend of history, culture, and nature, had given us an unforgettable escape into the soul of Provence.
