- 02/07/2024
- Heritage
Stay at La Mirande, luxury hotel in the south of France and discover UNESCO World Heritage with 9 remarkable sites nearby.
The south of France is a region rich in history, culture and natural beauty, and Avignon is a central jewel. Staying at La Mirande means discovering a rich site linked to the history of Avignon and its Popes’ Palace.
There are 44 UNESCO World Heritage sites, 9 of them are located in Provence and Occitania regions.
Here is a virtual tour visit of these beautiful sites around Avignon, all located less than 100 kilometres from La Mirande.
9 UNESCO World Heritage Sites around La Mirande, luxury hotel in the south of France
These sites, make this region a must-see destination for lovers of heritage and historical discoveries.
The Popes’ Palace and the Pont d’Avignon
Located in the heart of the city, the Popes’ Palace (Palais des Papes) is one of the largest Gothic palaces in Europe. Built in the 14th century, it served as the residence of the popes for several decades. Just next door, the famous Pont d’Avignon, officially the Saint-Bénézet bridge, built in the 12th century, is an icon of the city, an architectural marvel that crosses the Rhône. Although partially destroyed, it remains a key symbol of Avignon’s heritage and is immortalised in the folk song “Sur le pont d’Avignon”.
Registered on the UNESCO World Heritage List in 1955, it brings together the historic centre of Avignon with the Popes’ Palace, the Episcopal complex (Notre Dame and Jardin des Doms; Petit Palais museum), the city walls and the Pont d’Avignon.
Located right in the heart of the city, opposite the majestic Popes’ Palace, La Mirande offers an exceptional location for discovering these monuments by foot. Most of the rooms offer a breathtaking view over the Palace of the Popes.
- More details – Palace of the Popes
- Find out more – Pont d’Avignon
- Find out more – Avignon Tourisme
The Roman Theatre and the Arc de Triomphe (Triumphal Arch) in Orange
Around 30km North from Avignon, Orange is home to two remarkable Roman monuments. The Théâtre Antique (Roman Theater) dating from the 1st century, is one of the best preserved in the world and one of the most beautiful legacies of Imperial Rome. The Arc de Triomphe (Triumphal Arch), built to celebrate Roman victories, is another impressive example of Roman architecture.
Inscribed on UNESCO’s World Heritage List in 1981, this urban arch of impressive dimensions, measuring over 19m in length and 20m in height, served as the gateway to the Roman city of Arausio in the 1st century AD. The ancient theatre of Orange, with its 103m-long façade, is one of the best preserved of the great Roman theatres.
It takes around twenty minutes to drive to Orange from La Mirande, luxury hotel in the South of France. Our concierge team is also on hand to organise a tasting of Châteauneuf-du-Pape wines to accompany your visit.
The Roman Theater (Théâtre Antique) still hosts many shows and festivals today, including the famous Chorégies d’Orange, International opera and classical music festival founded in 1869 in July.
- More details – Triumphal Arch
- More details – Roman Theater
- More details – Chorégies d’Orange
The Pont du Gard
The Pont du Gard, around 30km East of Avignon, is an impressive three-tiered Roman aqueduct built in the 1st century AD to bring water to the city of Nîmes. This masterpiece of Roman engineering is both a technical feat and an aesthetic gem.
Listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1985, the Pont du Gard is a must-see in the region.
Numerous exhibitions and shows are held all year round, including a spectacular sound and light show every evening in summer.
It is also possible to swim there. In the summer, the banks of the river are almost beach-like and become a real haven of cool and calm.
- More details – Le Pont du Gard
Arles, Roman and Romanesque monuments
Arles, capital of the Camargue region, located around 35km South of Avignon, is a treasure trove of Roman monuments. The city is home to a number of remarkable monuments, including the Arènes d’Arles (Arles Amphitheater), the Théâtre Antique (Roman Theater), Constantine’s baths and the crypt of Saint-Trophime. These remains offer a fascinating insight into the city’s importance in Roman times.
Classified as a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1981, Arles has been included on UNESCO’s World Heritage List twice, for the cultural asset “Arles, Roman and Romanesque monuments” and for the serial cultural asset “Pilgrim’s Way to Santiago de Compostela in France”.
It is possible to buy a monument pass giving access to the 6 listed monuments and 4 museums.
Arles is also home town of Vincent Van Gogh who lived there for 16 months. “In the footsteps of Vincent Van Gogh” itinerary is available all year.
Arles also hosts many exhibition, among which Les Rencontres d’Arles which take place from June to September. The biggest Photography festival of its kind in France. Around forty exhibitions featuring works by the most renown photographers can be discovered throughout the Roman city.
The Maison Carrée – Nîmes
Located around 40 km from Avignon, Nîmes has an exceptional historic centre. The city is home to several remarkable Roman monuments, including the Maison Carrée, a Roman temple and the Arènes de Nîmes (Nîmes arena), the best preserved Roman amphitheatre still used today for many cultural events.
Listed by UNESCO in 2023, the Maison Carrée in Nîmes is one of the earliest examples of a Roman temple that can be associated with imperial worship in the provinces of Rome.
Maison Carrée was built at the beginning of our era in honour of Gaius Caesar and Lucius Caesar, grand-son and adopted son of Emperor Augustus.
Abbey Church of Saint-Gilles
40 km from Avignon and a few kilometres from Nîmes, Abbey Church of Saint-Gilles is a major site on the Pilgrim’s Way to Santiago de Compostela. Founded in the 7th century, the abbey is famous for its sculpted façade and ancient crypts.
Built in the 12th Century, the Abbey Church of Saint-Gilles was, in the Middle Ages, the 4th place of pilgrimage in the Christian world after Jerusalem, Rome and Santiago de Compostela.
Listed in 1998, Saint-Gilles is a city of Romanesque art and a major pilgrimage site. It takes fifty minutes by car from La Mirande, luxury hotel in the south of France.
Ornate cave of Pont-d’Arc, known as Grotte Chauvet-Pont-d’Arc, Ardèche
Located in the Rhône valley (Ardèche region), around 1h30 North of Avignon, the Grotte Chauvet contains some of the oldest known prehistoric paintings, dating back over 36,000 years. This cave offers an exceptional insight into the art and life of the first humans.
This exceptional cave of prehistoric art was closed by a landslide around 20,000 years ago. It remained sealed until it was rediscovered in 1994, allowing it to be preserved in an exceptional way.
Listed as a Unesco World Heritage Site in 2014, the Grotte ornée du Pont d’Arc, known as Grotte Chauvet 2, is the 1st great masterpiece of mankind.
A unique experience in the heart of a 29-hectare park.
Vauban in Provence
Vauban’s fortifications are spread throughout France, and include several sites in the South of the country. The town of Mont-Dauphin, in the French Alps, is an example of Vauban’s military ingenuity.
Further afield, the stronghold of Mont-Dauphin and the town of Briançon, which was listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2008, are part of the network of 12 major sites of Vauban’s fortifications.
Cultural wealth
The UNESCO sites around Avignon bear witness to the cultural and historical wealth of our region. Each site offers a unique window on the past, whether through Roman remains, medieval monuments or natural wonders.
Visiting these sites gives you a better understanding of the world heritage that this region preserves and promotes.
Staying at La Mirande, luxury hotel in the south of France, is a perfect way to start your trip and discover this world heritage.
Discover this heritage through pictures