Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
The Gallo-Romans
Provincia Gallia Transalpina, later Provincia Narbonensis, embraced all of southern
France from the Alps to the Mediterranean and the Pyrenees. In 122 BC the Romans des-
troyed the Ligurian capital of Entremont and established the Roman stronghold of Aquae
Sextiae Salluviorum (Aix-en-Provence) at its foot.
The Roman influence on Provence was tremendous, though it was only after Julius
Caesar's conquest of Gaul (58-51 BC) and its consequent integration into the Roman Em-
pire that the region flourished. Massalia, which had retained its independence following
the creation of Provincia, was incorporated by Caesar in 49 BC. In 14 BC the still-rebelli-
ous Ligurians were defeated by Augustus Caesar, who celebrated by building a monument
at La Turbie in 6 BC. Arelate (Arles) became the chosen regional capital.
Under the emperor Augustus, vast amphi-
theatres were built at Arelate, Nemausus
(Nîmes), Forum Julii (Fréjus) and Vasio Vo-
contiorum (Vaison-la-Romaine). Triumphal
arches were raised at Arausio (Orange), Ca-
belio (Cavaillon), Carpentorate (Carpentras)
and Glanum, and a series of aqueducts were
constructed. The 275m-long Pont du Gard was
part of a 50km-long system of canals built around 19 BC by Agrippa, Augustus' deputy,
to bring water from Uzès to Nîmes.
Christianity - brought to the region, according to Provençal legend, by Mary Mag-
dalene, Mary Jacob and Mary Salome, who sailed into Stes-Maries de la Mer in AD 40 -
penetrated the region, was adopted by the Romans and continued to spread over the next
few hundred years.
CÔTE D'AZUR
The French Riviera: A Cultural History
by Julian
Hale delves into the modern Côte d'Azur's vibrant
past with panache and (Champagne) buckets of an-
ecdotes.
Medieval Provence
After the collapse of the Roman Empire in AD 476, Provence was invaded by various
Germanic tribes. In the early 9th century the Saracens (an umbrella term adopted locally
to describe Muslim invaders such as Turks, Moors and Arabs) emerged as a warrior force
to be reckoned with. Attacks along the Maures coast, Niçois hinterland and more northern
Alps persuaded villagers to take refuge in the hills. Many of Provence's perched, hilltop
villages date from this chaotic period. In AD 974 the Saracen fortress at La Garde Freinet
was defeated by William the Liberator (Guillaume Le Libérateur), count of Arles, who
consequently extended his feudal control over the entire region, marking the return of
