Marseille

1st port and capital of the french Mediterranean, Marseille is a magnificent city between the Camargue, the Alps and the french Riviera

The very ancient past of the city of 111 villages begins in greek times, it is finally this people who left the ancient name of Massalia today Marseille. A former autonomous republic, the city has always maintained its own philosophy mainly oriented towards the sea. Marseille has always been a heterogeneous city, cultivating links with the mediterranean region. We will visit the Basilica of Notre Dame de la Garde a 19th century neobyzantine church, a pilgrimage of the people of Marseilles, nicknamed the Good Mother. The panorama is exceptional on the city and on a castle called château d’If of the famous count of Monte Christo.

Pont du Gard

The Pont du Gard, the highest roman aqueduct bridge (48 meters above the river), 2000 years old, classified as a world heritage site by UNESCO..

This aqueduct was used to supply water to the city of Nîmes, to supply the former thermal baths and fountains of the city, it took no less than 20 years and 1000 workers to complete this titanic work (50,000 tons of stone just for the part of the Pont de Gard), the spring located around the city of Uzès supplied 400 litres of water per second and passes 48 m above the river, which makes it the highest roman aqueduct ever built. With an average length of 20 cm per kilometer, the aqueduct was used until the 5th century, when the Roman Empire fell. In the Middle Ages it was used as a tollbooth. Come and discover this unique monument, visited by 1,5 million tourists every year. Walk in the nature along the aqueduct, discovering the fauna and flora of the "garrigue", a mixture of aromatic plants, green oaks and boxwood. Swimming in the river is possible in summer.

Sète

Visit of the peninsula nicknamed “Petite Venise du Languedoc“ and its many canals. Magnificent panoramic view from the summit of Mont Saint Clair over the city, the sea, the mountains and the oyster and mussel cultures of the Thau pond.

Visit of the church Notre Dame de la Salette built in 1861 and its surprising frescos. A walk along the Canal du Midi, a canal that runs 240 km from Toulouse to the Étang de Thau, and the largest fishing port in the French Mediterranean. Panorama on trawlers and tuna boats. Enjoy the famous Tielle like the italian fishermen years ago and let yourself be convinced by the culinary richness of Sète.  
​​​​​​​A city that experienced, thanks to the importance of its viticulture, a huge gain in prestige in the 19th century. Thus, the fishing port could develop and many italians settled in the city. City of many artists such as the famous singer Georges Brassens, the actor and director Jean Vilar or the poet Paul Valéry
Discover the Muscat de Frontignan wine, taste it in white, sparkling and sweet​​​​​​​

Cirque of Mourèze and Lake Salagou

Cirque of Mourèze and Lake Salagou

In a vast expanse of water surrounded by hills of arid red rocks, Lake Salagou offers an extraordinary palette of colors, combinations of several geological phenomena: the brick red of the "ruffes" (clayey sediments loaded with iron oxide) competes with the black of the basalt, of volcanic origin, and blends perfectly with the blues of the sky and the waves.

2 hour hike (average level)  famous sea of rocks with strange shapes. The circus of Mourèze offers surprising natural scenery. The site, formed of limestone rocks sculpted by erosion, appears as a ruiniform landscape. Strange shapes that allow all interpretations. This chaos of limestone rocks with gigantic shapes projects us into another universe, magical, timeless, even extraterrestrial! Discover the Salagou Lake, with red sand, surrounded by ancient volcanoes. A change of scenery guaranteed. Swimming possible, take swimsuit. Take sports shoes and a bottle of water.

Arles, Les Baux-de-Provence

Arles, Les Baux-de-Provence

Arles, a city with a unique heritage, is located between Provence and the Camargue, built on the banks of the Rhone, its festive atmosphere, its colors make it a city apart in the region. Discover the city at the time of the féria in April or September.

First of all, we will take the opportunity to discover its Roman monuments listed as World Heritage by UNESCO: the amphitheater and its 25,000 seats, famous for its gladiatorial and bull games today. Then we will continue to the ancient Roman theater, the thermal baths of Constantine, the underground galleries of the ancient imperial palace. From the 17th century onwards, archaeological finds were discovered here, including for example the famous "Venus of Arles" which is now in the Louvre museum in Paris.

Then, classified as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, the thermal baths of Constantine will give us access to the comfort of the urban life of the Roman civilization, one of the most visited places by the public. Having had both a hygienic function and a social role, the population took part in sports activities and bathing rites ensuring personal hygiene in the Constantine thermal baths. Then, we will continue our visit to discover the cryptoportics and we will visit the ancient forum that disappeared thanks to the underground galleries (located under the former imperial palace).

Find out more excursions with Jeremie on his site :  www.oculture.fr
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