La Belle Vie: The Rhone, Geneva & the Riviera

Marseilles is an enticing port city known for its delectable seafood, breathtaking views of the Mediterranean, and diverse melting pot of cultures. Less travelled by tourists than its other Provence-Alpes-Côte d’Azur counterparts, including Cannes and Nice, this seaside city is a vibrant, artistic, and historically significant stop worth exploring!

Believed to have been established in the seventh century by the Phoenicians or Greeks, Marseille is now the second largest French city after Paris and was named the European Capital of Culture in 2013. Marseille is a city of and for immigrants, with a blend of cultures and religions from North Africa, Eastern Europe, the Middle East, and more, reflected in the gastronomic and architectural diversity of Marseille itself. Visit the Museum of European and Mediterranean Civilizations, constructed in an Arabic architectural style, for an immersive experience with exhibits showcasing the artifacts of Marseille’s extensive history. The city’s most frequented attraction, the Notre-Dame de la Garde basilica, is a stunning display of Roman and Byzantine design and provides spectacular views of the city below.

A trip to Marseille wouldn’t be complete without a stroll through Le Vieux Port and Le Panier, popular neighborhoods for tourism and lined with markets boasting fresh and authentic cuisine. Bouillabaisse, a delicious stew filled with local and fresh-caught seafood, is well-known as a Marseillaise specialty, but don’t pass up the chance to eat other scrumptious eats, including squid, sardines, and mussels, piping-hot pizzas, and a sip of anise-flavored Pastis. There’s a reason why the city was one of Anthony Bourdain’s favorite gastronomic destinations!

Be sure to take advantage of Marseille’s natural beauty. The variety of sandy and rocky beaches are perfect spots to revel in striking ocean scenes. Just south of Marseille, the Parc national des Calanques offers great hiking, biking, and boating excursions for any nature-lover.

With so much to see and do, Marseille, France, will delight and astonish you.

Surround yourself with luxury in beautiful Monte Carlo, one of Monaco’s four quartiers and a jewel on the Mediterranean. Located just off the southern coast of France, Monte Carlo beckons you with glittering pebble beaches, old-world charm, and stunning architecture. Visit the iconic Casino de Monte Carlo, a paragon of the beaux-arts architectural style, to try your hand at blackjack, craps, or roulette, or tour the Palais Princier de Monaco, the twelfth-century palace where Monaco’s royal family resides. If you visit in May, be sure to attend an exhilarating Formula One race during the Monaco Grand Prix. From lavish French cuisine, to designer shopping along the Boulevard des Moulins, to exquisite botanical gardens, Monte Carlo has plenty of extravagant activities to capture your attention!

Nestled between two nature parks and the Rhône River, picturesque Arles will absolutely delight any traveler to the south of France. Situated near Marseille in the Provence-Alpes-Côte d’Azur region, Arles boasts small town charm and its architectural treasures have been heavily influenced by the city’s role as an ancient Roman capital. Once the stomping grounds of Vincent van Gogh, Arles’s innate natural beauty has become an inspiration and haven for artists and lovers of art alike.

From the Théâtre antique d’Arles, the city’s historic Roman amphitheater, to the ruins of Thermes de Constantin, to the Alyscamps cemetery, hints of the ancient Roman Empire remain throughout Arles and are essential landmarks deserving of exploration. Other notable sites include the Abbaye de Montmajour and the Cloître Saint-Trophime, both of which date back to medieval times, as well as Arles’s attractions dedicated to the life and work of Van Gogh, such as l’Espace Van Gogh and the Fondation Vincent van Gogh. Head to the Marché d’Arles for the best of Provençale cuisine and fresh produce.

Discover Arles and immerse yourself in the city's historic splendor!

Chalon-sur-Saône, nestled in the heart of Burgundy along the Saône River, offers a captivating mix of history, culture, and natural beauty. The town’s roots stretch back to Roman times, evident in the charming cobbled streets of the Old Town. Here, visitors can admire architectural gems like the St. Vincent Cathedral, a striking example of Gothic design with its soaring spires and intricate stained glass windows.

The town is also home to the Musée Nicéphore Niépce, dedicated to the pioneering inventor of photography, born in Chalon-sur-Saône in 1765. This museum provides an engaging look at the evolution of photography, with an impressive collection of cameras, photographs, and historical artifacts showcasing the art form’s development over the centuries.

Beyond its rich history, Chalon-sur-Saône is a gateway to the picturesque landscapes of Burgundy. The surrounding countryside features rolling hills, lush vineyards, and scenic riverbanks, offering plenty of opportunities for outdoor exploration. Visitors can enjoy relaxing boat rides along the Saône or cycle through the vineyards of the Côte Chalonnaise, renowned for its exceptional wines.

The metropolitan center of southeastern France, vibrant Lyon abounds with stunning architectural masterpieces, gastronomic delights, and immersive museums. This spectacular city, founded by the Romans centuries ago, rivals Paris as a cultural and social hub for exploring the best that France has to offer.

Discover beautifully constructed cathedrals and remnants of the Renaissance in the neighborhood of Vieux Lyon, designated a UNESCO World Heritage site and located on the banks of the Saône River. From the Cathédrale Saint-Jean-Baptiste’s vaulted ceilings and exquisite stained-glass windows to the mysterious Traboules, concealed passageways beneath the city, Vieux Lyon is the perfect place to trace Lyon’s rich history. Just north of Vieux Lyon, the remains of the Theatres Romains de Fourvière, built thousands of years ago during Roman occupation, still stand; the amphitheater’s immense stone steps seemingly transport you to another bygone era. Steps away, la Basilique Notre Dame de Fourvière, the nineteenth-century basilica overlooking Lyon’s city center, represents a more recent period in Lyonnaise history, adorned in a decadent and colorful Byzantine style.

You'll find dozens of fascinating and unique museums throughout Lyon, including the Musée des Beaux Arts, the Musée Miniature et Cinema, Musée des Automates, La Sucrière, and many more! When you finish wandering through these carefully curated exhibits, stop to savor Lyon’s highly lauded culinary scene, where numerous Michelin starred restaurants serve some of the best food in all of France. Taste everything from coq au vin, quenelles, andouillette, and salade lyonnaise, and relish in the city’s flavorful gourmet paradise.

Lyon, France beckons you!

The metropolitan center of southeastern France, vibrant Lyon abounds with stunning architectural masterpieces, gastronomic delights, and immersive museums. This spectacular city, founded by the Romans centuries ago, rivals Paris as a cultural and social hub for exploring the best that France has to offer.

Discover beautifully constructed cathedrals and remnants of the Renaissance in the neighborhood of Vieux Lyon, designated a UNESCO World Heritage site and located on the banks of the Saône River. From the Cathédrale Saint-Jean-Baptiste’s vaulted ceilings and exquisite stained-glass windows to the mysterious Traboules, concealed passageways beneath the city, Vieux Lyon is the perfect place to trace Lyon’s rich history. Just north of Vieux Lyon, the remains of the Theatres Romains de Fourvière, built thousands of years ago during Roman occupation, still stand; the amphitheater’s immense stone steps seemingly transport you to another bygone era. Steps away, la Basilique Notre Dame de Fourvière, the nineteenth-century basilica overlooking Lyon’s city center, represents a more recent period in Lyonnaise history, adorned in a decadent and colorful Byzantine style.

You'll find dozens of fascinating and unique museums throughout Lyon, including the Musée des Beaux Arts, the Musée Miniature et Cinema, Musée des Automates, La Sucrière, and many more! When you finish wandering through these carefully curated exhibits, stop to savor Lyon’s highly lauded culinary scene, where numerous Michelin starred restaurants serve some of the best food in all of France. Taste everything from coq au vin, quenelles, andouillette, and salade lyonnaise, and relish in the city’s flavorful gourmet paradise.

Lyon, France beckons you!