New York Habitat Blog

Recently we told you about some of the great Roman sites in the South of France. This week, we move forward about a thousand years to explore some vestiges of the medieval era, when France was just beginning to come into its own as a sovereign nation. These sites offer a historical backdrop for your vacation and after a full day of exploring the past, nothing could be better than coming back to a furnished apartment rental from New York Habitat.

You may want to begin your journey back through time in the medieval village of Les-Baux-de-Provence. This small town, nestled in among the Alpilles mountains, is known as one of the most picturesque in France. The main feature of this town is the huge medieval fortress, complete with castle and small village, perched atop the cliffs. Take a tour of this amazing relic of a past era where you can see real working trebuchets, jousts and other recreations of medieval life.

Les-Baux-de-Provence photo

For more on visit the office website of Les Baux and its fortress castle.

In Les-Baux, you can even feel like you’re living in medieval times by staying in this bed-and-breakfast establishment, a hosted 3 bedroom maison de village rental (PR-248). Each room has medieval touches, such as tapestries on the walls or beamed ceilings. However, the kitchen and bathrooms have been updated to include modern conveniences. Some rooms include private terraces and all of them offer exquisite views of the town.

From Les-Baux, it is just a short drive into Avignon, where you’ll find the Palais des Papes (the Palace of the Popes), home to the head of Catholicism for much of the 14th century. A wonderful example of medieval Gothic architecture, this palace was commissioned by Pope Clement V in 1309 and was home to 6 other popes and 2 anti-popes. After the Catholic leaders returned to Rome, the palace fell into disrepair until the beginning of the 20th century when it was declared a national monument and museum. After extensive restoration, most of the castle is now open to the public. Avignon is a large city in the South of France and has much more to offer so you may want to spend several days here.

South of France Avignon Vacation Rental (PR-615)

You’ll want to stay in this 2 bedroom duplex penthouse vacation rental apartment in Avignon (PR-615) during your visit there. Able to accommodate up to four people, this luxurious apartment is sunny and spacious. The open kitchen is modern and the perfect place to cook a meal with ingredients bought from the local market. The large bedrooms and modern bathrooms will make you feel right at home. Located just steps from the palace and the center of town, this apartment offers views from each room, and from the large open terrace, making it a truly wonderful place to stay.

If you’d like to visit more than one place in the South of France on your next vacation, planning your trip around a theme is a great way to do so. Visiting these medieval sites will allow you to experience small town life in Les-Baux-de-Provence, and the larger city of Avignon. Luckily, New York Habitat has accommodations all around the region for your convenience.

For more on Avignon, read Top towns in the South of France: #2 Avignon, Provence.

Have you visited these sites? Did you enjoy them? Do you have other recommendation about the area? Please share with us in the comments section.

Related apartment rental posts from New York Habitat:

1. Top towns in the South of France: #2 Avignon, Provence
2. Fall Wine Festival in Avignon, France consider a Bed and Breakfast Accommodation
3. Hidden Gem: Five-bedroom accommodation in Beaucaire in the South of France
4. Top Towns to visit in the South of France: #5 Saint-Rémy-de-Provence

This entry was posted on Thursday, April 17th, 2008 at 12:01 pm in Neighborhoods, Real Estate Market. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.

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