France has long been a popular tourist destination. Travellers from all over the World come to experience for themselves the country's rich cultural and historical heritage, as well as its gastronomic traditions. Within France, Paris may attract the most visitors, but the south-west of France with its striking natural beauty and its archaeological heritage, from spectacular Stone Age cave paintings to the more recent monumental architecture built by the Romans, is the nation's archaeological pride and joy.
Stone Age cave art at Niaux
Human occupation of the area stretches back to about 450,000 years, in the Arago Cave which has yielded the earliest hominin remains in France - the so-called Tauteval man, a likely ancestor to the Neanderthals. For the Stone Age period, the south-west of France is well-known for the Ice Age cave art. Painted and engraved on the walls of limestone caves from about 30,000 years ago are some of the finest examples of prehistoric art - perhaps the most well-known being those of Lascaux. Lascaux is no longer open to the public but there are many more caves with cave art in them that are as worthy of a visit, such as Pech Merle, Cougnac and Niaux to name but a few.
A bit more recent in time are substantial settlements constructed by the various Iron Age tribes, more commonly known as the Celts. Some of these are built on prominent hills, Entremont near the town of Aix being a particularly well preserved example of an Iron Age hill fort, whereas others were significant ports, such as Lattara in the town of Lattes. The various Celtic tribes of the south established strong trade links with other Mediterranean groups, including the ancient Greeks and the Etruscans. Not surprisingly then archaeologists have recovered beautiful Greek and Etruscan artefacts in some of these settlements.
Roman Bridge in Provence
Anyone visiting the south of France, even for the briefest of visits, cannot escape the monumental structures that the Romans built, some of which are still the finest surviving examples from the Roman Empire. The Celtic tribes were a constant source of irritation to the Romans and so in 125 BC Roman armies were sent to conquer the tribes of Gaul, and the Roman Empire started to expand. Today we are left with some of the most spectacular structures from Pont du Gard, the largest of all the bridges built in the Roman Empire, to the many theatres and amphitheatres, such as those in the cities of Nîmes and Arles that are still used for entertainment today. If it is the past you are looking for while on vacation, it really is difficult to escape it in the south of France.
Archaeology Travel provides a guide to the best archaeological sites and museums in France and the United Kingdom. Ireland and Italy will be added shortly. Whether you have a passing interest in one or two well-known sites or you would like to see as much as you can; whether you are a group of adults or a family with young children - our comprehensive archaeology travel guide is an invaluable place to start.
