The south of France is one of the most attractive tourist destinations in the world for international visitors, as well as the vacationing French. Here are 5 attractions in the land of lavender that you should not miss.

1. Roman Ruins

Outside of Italy, Provence has some of the most extensive and well-preserved ruins of the entire Roman Empire. From Nîmes' Maison Carrée in the west to Nice's baths and amphitheater in the east, lovers of archeology and ancient history will not be disappointed. Among the highlights: thePont du Gard, a triple level, arched aqueduct outside of Avignon; Vaison-la-Romaine with its commercial and residential districts laid out within the borders of the present-day town; and the arena in Arles, which still holds thousands for Provençal-style bullfights and other events.

2. Côte d'Azur

A drive along any of the three highways that connects Menton with Nice is to imagine yourself as a silver screen playboy or his tanned ingenue out for drive in a sporty red coupe. The sparkling Mediterranean beckons on one side, rugged limestone cliffs rise on the other, and the casino at Monte Carlo is waiting to make you even richer, or more likely poorer. With the highest average number of hours of sunlight in France, the Riviera attracts lots of sun worshipers to its pebbly beaches.

3. Hill Towns of the Lubéron

Peter Mayle wrote about his misadventures while renovating a house in this sun-washed area of southern France. Luckily, vacationers can just enjoy the leisurely pace, savor the olive oil-infused cuisine, watch the locals play pétanque in the village squares and marvel at the intense aroma emitting from lavender presses in the early fall.

4. Camargue

The Wild West of Europe in a sense, the Camargue extends for 220 square miles over the delta of the Rhone River. It is a protected nature reserve home to flamingos, wild horses and bulls that are raised for Provençal-style bullfighting (the bull is tagged with a ribbon, orcocarde, rather than killed). Gypsies come twice a year from all over Europe for religious pilgrimages.

5. Avignon and the Pope's Palace

As the gateway to Provence (under 3 hours on the high speed train from Paris), Avignon has long attracted crowds. When the hierarchy of the Catholic Church was in disarray and disagreement some 700 years ago, the Pope set up shop in Avignon. His palace is one of the great architectural gems of France. The city also hosts a long-running theater festival in the summer (advance reservations absolutely necessary during this period).