Monuments to visit Provence-Alpes-Côte D'Azur

It is the only vestige (12th century) of the castle of the Counts of Toulouse fell into the lap of the terrible Maingre that reigned terror in the Mont Ventoux area in the 15th century. Watchtower at the time of the Popes, then the clock and bell with wrought iron were added, and that were supposed to represent the silhouette of Queen Jeanne, wife of the brother of Saint Louis. At top is a weather vane depicting a mouse chased by a cat. It gave birth to two Pernois sayings: "It is high as the cat of Pernes" and "it is in the middle like the cat of Pernes". This old dungeon also hosted the prisons of the city. The gallows still stands. They can be seen during a guided tour within the tourist office). You can access a panoramic terrace offering stunning views of the countryside and comtadine of Mount Ventoux, by taking a lovely calade and a rather steep staircase!

Many forts make up the whole fortress of Tournoux: the Pellegrin (1,290 m), battery (1,350 m), the average (1,500 m), the upper (1,700 m), the Caurres battery (1,800 m) and the Ault greenhouse (2,000 m) 00 m). The site was built on 700 m of disgradings and placed on a rocky spur, and was built in the nineteenth century to prevent access to Larche Pass. Currently well preserved, the ensemble undeniably attracts the visitor's eye by its inclination and architecture on the mountain side.

Located on the edge of the Saintes-Maries-de-la-Mer road, the castle of Avignon has been classified as a historical monument since 2003. Louis Noilly-Prat, a native of Marseilles, bought it in 1893 and had it built a hydraulic set to pump the water of the Petit Rhône for redistribution. He then equips it with central heating and provides it with electricity. Impressive with modernity and technicality, the castle, with its outbuildings, is the property of the General Council of Bouches-du-Rhône.

A must, this 12th-century tower contains a rare pictorial decoration. On two floors, you can discover medieval frescoes of the 13th century that have been remarkably preserved which tells the adventures and struggles led by Charles d'Anjou - brother of Saint Louis - in southern Italy, in the manner of a life-size cartoon. Its central character, Charles Anjou, is particularly well represented with his royal crown and white dress covered with lilies.

Designed by the sculptor Sasha Sosno and inaugurated in 2002, Tête Carrée has become the symbol of modern architecture in the city with its height of 30 meters and width of 14 meters. Inaccessible to the public, it hosts in its headquarters the Louis Nucéra municipal library offices at the head of B.M.V.R network of Nice (Bibliothèque Municipale à Vocation Régionale) [Municipal Library with Regional Vocation]. The night lighting system of the building was designed by the artist Yann Kersalé.

Guided tours of about thirty minutes allow you to discover this military construction whose objective was to block the intrusion of Italian tanks during the Second World War. You will learn how life was organized in the bunker with the discovery of the technical parts and the barracks. Thematic exhibitions also provide information on the historical background. The bunker is part of the Rimplas fort, which stands at an altitude of 1,000 metres on a rocky peak. The construction of the complex took 11 years.

The Manosque market maintains with panache the tradition of Provencal markets in the heart of town centres and old towns. It takes over various streets and squares in the historic centre: Place du Docteur Joubert, Place de l'Hôtel de Ville, Place Marcel Pagnol, Promenade Aubert-Millot, Esplanade François Mitterrand and Jardin Voghera. It is an explosion of colors, smells and sounds, drowned by an endless stream of pedestrians mixing Manosquins who came to buy supplies and tourists bathing in this typical and friendly atmosphere. Not to be missed!

The Crottés are the remains of the old fortified castle, where only the baseplate of one of the corner towers remains. The first castle was burned in autumn 1184 by the rebellious people of Vintimille. In the Middle Ages, its defense was reinforced by the ducs of Savoy. In 1692, during the first French period, Vauban arranged it. Returned under the domination of the House of Savoy, it resists and repels the attacks of the gallispans but falls into the hands of the French during the Revolution wars. After the Sardinian restoration, it serves as a stone quarry to the people of the country to build or expand their homes. Here, some people arranged theses crottés tomake shelters in which they stored, during the night, the clearances to dry figs and plums.