Introduction

Located right in the south of France and part of Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur, Bouches-du-Rhône is one of the most distinctive parts of Provence with a fabulous wealth of culture.

History and major cities

One of the 83 original departments established in March 1790 during the French Revolution, Bouches-du-Rhône has expanded over the centuries and, with a population of roughly 1.9 million across a land area of 5087km², is now the third largest department in France. Most of the denizens are situated within the prefecture of Marseille, but there are a number of significant communes:

• Aix-en-Provence
• Arles
• Salon-de-Provence
• Cassis
• Saint-Remy-de-Provence
• Tarascon
• Istres
• Aubagne

The department's history is practically synonymous with the fortunes of trade on the Marseille harbour. Indeed, since the Roman period, Bouches-du-Rhône has been characterised by both trade and a strong sense of regional autonomy, reflected in the proliferation of the Provençal dialect. This unique culture has been a draw for tourists also captivated by its beauty, exemplified by the Rhône River, the Alpilles mountain range and the Sainte-Victoire mountain.

Indeed, all those who decide to take a sojourn follow in the footsteps of the artists Cezanne and van Gogh, who lived in Aix-en-Provence and Arles respectively and both worked intensely in the area, reflecting the department's remarkable cultural clout, which continues to bring in the visitors.

Weather

Bouches-du-Rhône enjoys a Mediterranean climate, with hot, humid summers and relatively mild, dry winters. Marseille is generally representative of annual average temperatures in the department (although, be aware of the chilly Mistral northwesterly wind in spring and winter):

Beaches

Overlooking the Mediterranean, Bouches-du-Rhône's many communes have their fair share of beaches. The premier spot in the department is Marseille, blessed with some 23 beaches due to its port, and offering a wide range of water sports. The best areas in Marseille are La Pointe Rouge harbour and La Madrague harbour.

If you can't make it to Marseille though, Cassis is also extremely popular both for its beaches and calanques (types of deep valleys).

Tourist attractions

As the second largest city in France, you can expect plenty of wonderful sights in Marseille. A great place to start is the Basilica of Notre-Dame de la Garde. Built between 1853 and 1864 on the site of a former 13th century chapel, this neo-Byzantine structure stands atop the hill of La Garde. The basilica is some 162 metres high and contains a truly beautiful interior covered with paintings and ex-votos. Another fabulous piece of religious architecture is the Église des Réformés, a remarkable example of 19th century neo-Gothic work. Alternatively, the Château d'If holds an attraction for all literary fans, as this former fortress and prison, beautiful in its own right, was used by Alexandre Dumas in 'The Count of Monte Cristo'.

Outside of Marseille, Aix-en-Provence is another must-see commune. The Cathédrale Saint-Saveur d'Aix is one of the main reasons why. This national monument is an amalgamation of a Romanesque cathedral, a 13th century Gothic church and other chapels and contains a fabulous selection of paintings and tapestries. However, if that's not enough, the so-called 'city of a thousand fountains' provides many other marvellously romantic backdrops for visiting couples and families, like the 17th century Fontaine des Quatre Dauphins and the 19th century Le Bon Roi Rene fountain.

The sights don't end there, particularly for fans of ancient history. A trip to Arles will lead you to its famous Roman ruins, all of which are UNESCO World Heritage sites and include an amphitheatre (the subject of van Gogh's painting 'Les Arènes'), the Baths of Constantine and the exceptional Alyscamps necropolis. While you're in the area, you won't want to miss the beautiful 12th century Romanesque Church of St. Trophime, with its delightful 15th century Gothic choir and sculptures of biblical scenes.

Continuing the ancient theme, be sure to pop over to Saint-Rémy-de-Provence. As well as being the birthplace of Nostradamus, it is also home to the Triumphal Arch of Glanum. In general though, wherever you visit in Bouches-du-Rhône, you are guaranteed to see some wonderful sights.

Family entertainment

Marseille is yet again the top spot if you're looking for family activities. Sports fans young and old should take note of the city's Stade Vélodrome, home to the football Ligue 1 team, Olympique de Marseille.

However, if sport isn't your thing, check out the many zoos and theme parks of Aix-en-Provence and Marseille, such as the OK Corral, the Parc de Loisirs La Guillaumière and Aquacity (all of which can be found in Marseille). For something a bit different, Saint-Rémy-de-Provence is another option, providing gliding and horse-riding.

Museums, galleries and culture

You won't be stuck for culture in Bouches-du-Rhône, particularly if you decide to visit Marseille. L'Opera de Marseille (now known as the Opéra Municipal) is one of France's oldest opera houses, dating back to 1685, and has been the launching point for some of Verdi's works. Another must-see area is the Palais de Longchamp, home to the Museum of Natural History and, more importantly, the Musée des Beaux Arts, which contains works by such artists as David, Courbet and Rubens.

Aix-en-Provence is also prominent in the opera scene, being home to the Festival d'Aix-en-Provence, which is held every July. The commune also hosts the Musée du Viel Aix (specialising in local history) and the Musée Granet, which includes pieces by Cezanne.

Befitting its surroundings, the Musée de l'Arles et de la Provence antiques in Arles contains one of the best archaeological collections of Roman history in the department. Again though, you will find charming local museums and galleries wherever you go.

Shopping

Marseille is naturally the best spot for high-street stores but, if you're looking for local crafts, keep an eye out for the many flea markets in the city. The Quay des Belges on the Old Port of Marseille with its daily fish market is also an incredible sight.

Outside the prefecture, the Cours Mirabeau thoroughfare in Aix-en-Provence is very popular, while the fashion outlets in Saint-Rémy-de-Provence are surprisingly impressive.

Walking

South of Arles, Camargue is an outstanding spot for hikers and walkers, containing the Parc Regional de Camargue (covering roughly 820 km² of land) and incorporating some 400 species of birds.

Another prime location is the Alpilles mountain range around Saint-Rémy-de-Provence. A number of companies such as Frederic Bouvet and Les Marais du Vigueirat are available to provide walking and hiking tours, all of which can be booked at the commune tourist office.

Less taxing but nonetheless impressive are the many parks of Aix-de-Provence like the Parc Jourdan and the Parc Georges Vilers.

Golf

There are numerous courses in the department. These include the Country Club de la Salette in Marseille, Golf des Baux-de-Provence in Les Baux-de-Provence, Set Golf Club in Aix-en-Provence, Golf de Château l'Arc in Fuveau and Golf de Servanes in Mouries.

Food and drink

The Old Port of Marseilles is a highly popular area for tourists looking for the best restaurants in the city, but you can find other outstanding outlets in Saint-Rémy-de-Provence and Aix-en-Provence.

The regional cuisine is based around seafood due to the nearby Mediterranean sea and country recipes, producing such favourites as bouillabaisse in Marseille (a type of fish stew), calisson (a type of marzipan) in Aix-en-Provence and ratatouille, the archetypal Provençal dish.

Wine-tasting

Aix-en-Provence is heavily involved in the winemaking trade on a regional and national level. The wines of the region are mainly reds, but the most popular is the Provençal rosé. Other popular brands include Aix-en-Provence AOC, Bandol AOC and Cassis AOC.

Ease of access

Marseille is the transport hub of Bouches-du-Rhône.

Marseille Provence Airport is the main departure and arrival point for tourists, while the Gare de Marseille Saint-Charles offers connections to other cities in France like Paris, Lyon, Nice and Bordeaux.

Reaching other parts of Bouches-du-Rhône is absolutely no problem. The road network is excellent, along with the railway network around Marseilles.

Value for money

Considering the depth and diversity of culture in the department, Bouches-du-Rhône is outstanding value for money and can be used as a launching point for exploring other areas of France. There are plenty of hotels and rental opportunities in the major cities.

Summary

If you're looking for the best of rural and urban France, there are few better places than Bouches-du-Rhône. Marseille is a fantastic place to visit, particularly if you want to remain in civilisation, but don't be afraid to look beyond the main city. There's plenty out there to explore.