Frankreichs Côte d’Azur mit dem Zug entdecken - von Toulouse bis Nizza

About the destination: At the heart of the South, Toulouse has always occupied a prominent place in the Southwest of France. The reflections of golden light on the pink-brick walls, used in many of its buildings, have earned the city the designation of 'La Ville Rose', the Pink City. As the region’s largest city, Toulouse combines medieval architecture with bohemian music, delicious food and constant innovation, sustained by the city’s cutting-edge aerospace industry. The old town of Toulouse hides great treasures. The Basilica of St. Sernin is considered the city’s most beautiful religious monument. It is also the world’s largest church built in the Romanesque style. Feel free to wander through its cobbled streets to discover its splendid Renaissance courtyards and magnificent houses that hide behind the heavy gates. The Augustinian Museum exhibits a rich collection of paintings and sculptures. Here you will find works of either medieval masters or contemporary artists and painters. Toulouse is active and bustling, fuelled by the energy of its student population. There’s nothing like strolling through the historical center, walking along the banks of the Garonne and the Canal du Midi, or stopping in one of the many bars and restaurants to eat or have a drink under the open sky.

About the destination: Narbonne is a commune in southern France in the Languedoc-Roussillon region. Once a prosperous port, and a major city in Roman times, it is now located about 15 km from the shores of the Mediterranean Sea. It is marginally the largest commune in Aude, although the prefecture is the slightly smaller commune of Carcassonne. MAIN TOURIST ATTRACTIONS • Archbishops´Palace. • Cathédrale de St – Pasteur. A Gothic cathedral in the Mediterranean. • Gruissan beach. • Horreum. • Pastisserie Combot. Ar Rue de lÁncien Courrrier, this beaker is a Narbonne institution known for its gooey cakes.

About the destination: The capital of Languedoc-Roussillon, a few kilometres from the sea, surprises visitors with its dynamism. Bathed in soft Mediterranean light, its old neighbourhoods and its magnificent gardens invite you to wander through its elegant boulevards. In full demographic expansion, the city, which celebrates its ancestral vocation for medicine and research, has transformed into a cosmopolitan metropolis with a big city buzz. Between Place de la Comédie and the Arc de Triomphe du Peyrou, we find Montpellier old quarter. Ecusson, the historic centre, retains its winding and narrow medieval lanes and shady backstreets. Along these streets magnificent palaces, with its beautiful stairs and courtyards, stand gracefully. The cathedral of Saint-Pierre is one of the city’s icons, not to be missed is the impressive canopy porch supported by two monumental cylindrical pillars. Montpellier blends old world charm with a modern and vibrant nightlife. Its theatres, stylish bars and its opera cheer up the evenings creating a lively atmosphere. The newest area of the city is called the place de la Comde, here you can find excellent restaurants, cafes and shops.

About the destination: Avignon is one of the major cities of Provence, in Southern France. It is the main city of the département of Vaucluse, and is on the banks of the Rhône river. Avignon was one of the European Cities of Culture in 2000. Avignon is home to the world’s largest Gothic edifice, Le Palais des Papes, a UNESCO world heritage site since 1995. The city is sprinkled with buildings and monuments ranging from the new to the old, the very old, and the ageless. Another world heritage site is Pont Saint-Bénezet, better known as le Pont d'Avignon, a famous half destroyed bridge. Avignon's charm, though, lies in the narrow streets of its medieval walled city which contain numerous Gothic and Baroque churches, as well as stunning maisons.Avignon is a vibrant and lively place that captures an ancient ambience that one can feel even around the crowds. Charming Avignon is truly a Medieval Jewel.

About the destination: Aix-en-Provence is a city in Provence, a region in the south of France. Aix-en-Provence is a small, classically Provençal town, famous for being home to Cézanne. Three universities and several French-language schools for international students produce a very strong student presence.Aix is famous for its fountains. The largest and most famous is on the Cours Mirabeau, the main avenue through town, as well as a moss-covered fountain which draws its water from a hot spring. Aix is also known for its architecture. The varied and often intricate doors are a key feature, as well as the bell towers. The city market runs multiple days a week, but the largest and most colorful is the Saturday market which includes a flower market at the Place de l'Hotel de Ville and the main food market is at Place Richelme. It has also become known as the home of Cézanne's later works. You can see his atelier with some of the original objects he painted into his still lives. The Bibémus Quarries allow you to see Mt. St. Victoire, the mountains he captured in many of his paintings. You can also visit the Manor of Jas de Bouffan, which houses many of his masterpieces.The city center is mostly pedestrian and, though it is quite small, offers long hours of nice walks. As in all Provençal towns, the city centre consists of narrow streets, lined with interesting buildings from 17th century hotels to paved plazas.

About the destination: Marseille is the second largest city in France, the biggest Mediterranean port and the economic hub of the Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur region. Marseille is set in a beautiful location, snuggled between craggy limestone hills and a sweeping bay, and is rich with history, which wasn’t always pleasant. Marseille is a popular holiday destination, as it has 300 days of sunshine a year. Today Marseilles still keeps traces of its tumultuous past, this ancient city is today very active and attractive. It has powerful charm which encourages visitors, to stroll through its old districts around le Vieux Port, in the gardens with the ancient ruins or the gardens of Longchamp Palace and, of course, on the esplanade of Notre-Dame-de-la-Garde Cathedral, which overlooks the entire city Marseille is atmospheric and charming and a real must.

About the destination: Toulon is a medium size city between Marseille and Nice. It is in the west of French Riviera and in the southeast of Provence. The history of Toulon is about three thousand years old.The vieille ville was built in the Middle ages. The historical center is located just north of the harbour. You'll see very small intricate streets. The harbour and its promenade are full of souvenir shops, coffee shops and fish restaurants. The most important places to visit in Toulon are: Tour de l'horloge, a monumental clock at the entry of the naval base. Saint François de Paule church. Built in the 18th Century, it is of typical baroque style. Place Puget, in the historical center, is the ancient center of the town. You'll find a fountain built in 1780. You'll enjoy staying in the shade of this place, at a coffee shop, during a hot afternoon. The Saint Marie de la Seds Cathedral is near Place Puget. Built in the 11th century, it has never been finished, but widened in 1738. There are numerous paintings of the18th Century.Beautiful beaches may be found in the small towns around Toulon.

About the destination: Nice weathers its storms of tourisms each summer with all the usual accoutrements of a Riviera town: Casual affluence, an ample beach, museums, flowery avenues but lack the affected aloofness of its neighbours. Furthermore, Nice is blessed with good public transport within the city and to all points on the Côte d’Azur, and makes it a good base for Riviera exploring. Nice’s long thin beach and bronzing guests are the city’s principal attractions for most visitors. Nonetheless, Nice’s vieille ville, the old town, is worth a visit. The old quarter is an unusual blend of glitter and a Mediterranean medieval quarter of tiny streets and outdoors markets. For a spectacular Riviera panorama, climb up to the top of the chateau. The city has several outstanding museums, such as the Musée Matisse, devoted to the work of French painter Henri Matisse, or the Musée National Marc Chagall, dedicated to the work of painter Marc Chagall. The majestic promenade des Anglais sweeps along the coast. This pedestrian zone swarms with boutiques, busy restaurants and all variety of tourists. The nightlife in Nice is effervescent, the labyrinth of tiny streets in the vieille ville hides restaurants and bars, and accounts for the city’s Mediterranean flair.