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Fontvieille

Fontvieille is found in the Alpilles between Arles and Les Baux-de-Provence in the Bouches-du-Rhone department of Provence.

Without a great deal of fascinating monuments or notable sights of its own, Fontvieille is a very pleasant town, and would be a good base for exploring the region. Arles is to the south-west, and Les-Baux-de-Provence to the north-east, and there are many other of the well known sites of Provence easy to hand - Nimes, Pont du Gard, Avignon etc.

The town itself has a pleasant main street, and a square with a church and a cafe with a shady terrace on its edges.

After having lunch in the cafe I noticed that just off the car park behind the town-hall there was a small monument to three partisans shot at that spot during the Second World War. The monument was unexceptional, although pretty when I visited because it happened to be surrounded by poppies in flower. While there are very many war memorials in France, they are usually to those who died far away, and to be stood in the actual spot where people had been shot for defending their country was very moving.

Continuing up the hill, various walks are available to enable you to enjoy the countryside.

Places to visit near Fontvieille

Of interest in the immediate vicinity of Fontvieille are the Moulin de Doudet and the Abbey Montmajour.

The Doudet Windmill is well known because it was the inspiration for a 19th century writer, Alphonse Daudet, when he wrote 'Letters from my Windmill' - a sort of 19th century 'Year in Provence' look at the lives of everyday people in the region.

The substantial ruins of 10th century Montmajour Abbey are in a pretty location along the road to Arles, and have cloisters and a crypt to enjoy, as well as the possibility to climb the keep for some excellent views.

 

Fontvieille: tourist information, map, travel plans and gites

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Places to visit - Fontvieille

Explore places within about 70 kilometres on a map at Visit Fontvieille.

Some of the closer places are listed below (distances from Fontvieille are approximate and direct - as the crow flies. Only places listed on the france this way site are shown!)

• Arles Provencal town at 11 km
• Avignon Historic city and World Heritage Site at 26 km
• Baux-de-Provence Most beautiful village at 10 km
• Beaucaire Town at 11 km
• Pont du Gard World Heritage Site at 31 km
• Roman Arles World Heritage Site at 10 km
• Saint-Remy-de-Provence Village and Glanum at 15 km
• Villeneuve-lez-Avignon Town near Avignon at 28 km

 

Information and photos

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