Jardin Botanique E.M. Heckel is a botanical garden situated in the very heart of the city of Marseille in France. It is known for its extensive display of more than 3,500 species of plants, with the most notable highlights being the Chinese garden, palm garden, Japanese garden, Mediterranean garden and the unique greenhouse devoted entirely to plants of South Africa. This site is open from Tuesday to Sunday. For more information pertaining to the opening timings, kindly contact +33 8 9923 5991.
Oenophiles are certain to love this splendid wine cellar, once they learn that the wines make their way here from Provence. Microcosmos Chai Urbain works closely with farms and workers in Provence, where contemporary winemaking techniques are practiced. However, the harvesting procedure remains rudimentary, lending it a fine traditional foundation. Pay the cellar at Marseilles a visit on weekdays, but be sure to call ahead and book an appointment.
This astonishing and beautiful mountain rises up outside the village of Tholonet when one goes towards the Côte d'Azur. Most famously it appears in the paintings of Cézanne. The mountain dominates the Aix countryside, a great limestone barrier that refracts the light of the setting sun and perfumes the air with the scents from its wild scrubland and whose way-marked footpaths attract walkers from all over the world who come to marvel at the views over the Rhône and the Esterel.
In 1730 this private mansion, which had belonged to the Maynier d'Oppède family since 1490, was bought and rebuilt under the aegis of the architect Vallon and the Thomassins of St-Paul. Today its magnificent façade fronts the Institute of French Studies (for foreign students) and the interior courtyard serves as a natural concert hall for classical music programs in the summer.