Les visages du Mexique

Mexico City rises more than 2,200 metres above sea level on a plateau ringed by volcanoes, on the very spot where Tenochtitlán once stretched, the magnificent Aztec capital built upon a lake. Today it is one of the largest and most vibrant metropolises in the world, a kaleidoscope of history, art and life that reveals itself as you walk from its monumental heart out into its neighbourhoods. The starting point is the Zócalo, an immense square dominated by the Metropolitan Cathedral and the Palacio Nacional, frescoed by Diego Rivera; beside it, the excavations of the Templo Mayor bring the city's Aztec soul back to light. From here you reach the Palacio de Bellas Artes, an Art Nouveau masterpiece, then follow the grand Paseo de la Reforma down to the Bosque de Chapultepec, home to the extraordinary National Museum of Anthropology, keeper of the treasures of pre-Columbian civilisations. The districts of Coyoacán and San Ángel, with their cobbled lanes and colourful houses, hold Frida Kahlo's Casa Azul, while Roma and Condesa pulse with cafés, galleries and inventive cuisine. To the south float the ancient chinampas of Xochimilco, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, crossed by brightly painted trajineras. The food is a universe in itself: tacos al pastor, mole, tamales and mezcal tell a tradition celebrated the world over. Just outside the city, the pyramids of Teotihuacán — the Sun and the Moon along the Avenue of the Dead — complete a journey into the memory of Mesoamerica. Chaotic and magnetic, Mexico City wins over those willing to be surprised.

Puebla rises in a broad valley of central Mexico's high plateau, at the foot of the Popocatépetl and Iztaccíhuatl volcanoes, and preserves one of the country's most harmonious colonial centres, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Its orderly streets reveal façades clad in azulejo tiles, baroque courtyards and lavish churches such as the Rosary Chapel, while the Cathedral towers over the Zócalo. Puebla is also a culinary capital: birthplace of mole poblano and chiles en nogada, with workshops still crafting the famous talavera ceramics. A stroll through its lanes, perhaps as far as the Barrio del Artista, tells of centuries of art, faith and flavour.

Oaxaca de Juárez nestles in a valley ringed by the Sierra Madre in southern Mexico, and is regarded as one of the country's richest cities in culture and tradition. Its historic centre, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, is a maze of cobbled streets and green cantera-stone buildings converging on the Zócalo and the imposing church of Santo Domingo, a Baroque masterpiece with gilded interiors. The beating heart of Zapotec and Mixtec indigenous culture, Oaxaca is famous for its craftsmanship — textiles, barro negro pottery and brightly coloured alebrijes — and for a cuisine among the most celebrated in Mexico, the realm of the seven moles, of mezcal and of tlayudas. A few kilometres away, the ruins of Monte Albán, also a UNESCO World Heritage Site, command the valley from the heights of an ancient Zapotec capital, while the surrounding villages keep their craft traditions alive. Unforgettable in autumn, when the Día de Muertos fills the streets with flowers, candles and altars, Oaxaca is a destination that speaks to both the heart and the palate.

Tuxtla Gutiérrez spreads across a warm valley in Mexico's greenest and most indigenous state, capital of Chiapas and a lively gateway to the region. Its most spectacular sight is the Cañón del Sumidero, a deep gorge carved by the Grijalva River, whose sheer walls are explored by boat amid crocodiles, monkeys and waterfalls. In town the Parque de la Marimba enlivens the evenings with traditional music and dancing, while the ZooMAT regional zoo gathers the extraordinary wildlife of Chiapas. Tuxtla is the natural stop before climbing to San Cristóbal de las Casas and the Maya villages of the highlands.

Departure from Tuxtla Gutiérrez, the capital city of the state of Chiapas, heading towards San Cristobal, it is recommended to make a stop and visit the Sumidero Canyon. This natural wonder, carved by the Grijalva River, features towering cliffs and lush vegetation. You'll pass through the charming village of Chiapa de Corzo, known for its colonial architecture and vibrant atmosphere. You'll arrive in San Cristóbal de las Casas, a beautiful colonial city nestled in the highlands of Chiapas. The city is made up of cobblestone streets, colorful buildings, and indigenous markets full of handicrafts. If time allows, visiting the indigenous communities of San Juan Chamula and Zinacantán is recommended. These villages offer insight into traditional Mayan culture, with opportunities to observe rituals, visit local markets, and admire textile craftsmanship. At over 2,000 metres above sea level, among the mountains of Chiapas, San Cristóbal de las Casas is a colonial town with a unique atmosphere, the cultural heart of the indigenous highlands of southern Mexico. Cobbled streets and pastel-coloured houses wind around the yellow cathedral and the lively Andador Eclesiástico, a pedestrian street dotted with cafés and craft workshops. The markets overflow with textiles, amber and goods from the Tzotzil and Tzeltal communities, while nearby villages such as San Juan Chamula preserve rituals that blend Catholicism and Maya traditions. All around, pine forests, waterfalls and the Sumidero canyon invite exploration. With its cool climate, bohemian energy and deep indigenous soul, San Cristóbal is one of the most captivating destinations of authentic Mexico.

From San Cristóbal de las Casas, a charming colonial city surrounded by mountains, the journey begins heading northeast through the Sierra Madre mountains. Along the way, you pass through picturesque indigenous villages and vast expanses of tropical vegetation. Continuing eastward, the road descends through the mountains into the jungle, until reaching Palenque, famous for its ancient Maya ruins nestled in the rainforest. Along the route, you can make stops to visit minor archaeological sites or to admire spectacular waterfalls and breathtaking natural landscapes that characterize the region. Finally, upon arriving in Palenque, visitors can explore the well-preserved Maya ruins and immerse themselves in the history and culture of this ancient civilization. Palenque guards some of Mexico's most evocative Maya ruins, set deep in the rainforest of Chiapas where birdsong accompanies every discovery. A UNESCO World Heritage Site, the archaeological zone reveals the Templo de las Inscripciones — which conceals the tomb of King Pakal — the Palacio with its tower, and the refined stucco reliefs recounting the classic Maya civilisation. All around, the jungle hides crystalline waterfalls such as Agua Azul and Misol-Ha, perfect for an excursion between nature and water. Palenque shows its magic in the early-morning mist, when the temples seem to rise from the green like an ancient dream.

The route from Palenque to Campeche crosses a region of great natural beauty and rich history in the state of Chiapas and the Yucatán Peninsula. From Palenque, famous for its jungle-immersed Maya ruins, the journey proceeds northwest through breathtaking tropical landscapes and picturesque rural villages. Continuing northwest, the landscape opens up to the plains of the Yucatán, with its stretches of tropical vegetation and coastal marshes. Along the way, one can stop in cities like Campeche, known for its charming historic center, declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Here, visitors can stroll along the ancient city walls, admire the colonial architecture, and savor the local cuisine in the traditional restaurants of the main square. Campeche guards, behind its walls overlooking the Gulf of Mexico, one of the most charming and best-preserved fortified cities in the Yucatán Peninsula, a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1999. Its historic centre is a mosaic of pastel-coloured houses, cobbled lanes and ramparts that once defended the city from pirate attacks. The walls, bastions and land and sea gates recount its past as a prosperous colonial port, while the seafront Malecón accompanies long sunset strolls. The museums housed in the forts display Maya artefacts from nearby sites such as Edzná and Calakmul, the latter deep in the jungle. With its seafood cuisine, tranquil atmosphere and colours that glow at night, Campeche is one of Mexico’s lesser-known gems.

The journey from Campeche to Mérida offers an experience through the Yucatán region, characterized by a rich history, culture, and natural beauty. From Campeche, a colonial city rich in charm and historical heritage, you head towards Mérida, the lively capital of Yucatán. The route traverses varied landscapes, from ancient Maya ruins to lush tropical forests, with picturesque villages along the way. Along the route, you can make a stop at Uxmal, one of the most important archaeological sites in the region, to explore the majestic pyramids and complex Maya temples. Arriving in Mérida, you immerse yourself in the vibrant energy of the city, with its streets lined with pastel-colored colonial buildings, bustling squares, and traditional markets. Mérida is renowned for its cuisine, so be sure to sample local delicacies like cochinita pibil and pollo pibil. During the journey from Campeche to Mérida, you may come across a variety of attractions, including crystalline cenotes, historic haciendas, and traditional Maya communities. Mérida holds the colonial soul of the Yucatán, spreading its orderly streets and pastel façades across the heart of the peninsula, a short distance from the Gulf of Mexico. Nicknamed the "white city" for its limestone houses, it was founded by the Spanish on the remains of the ancient Maya city of T'hó, and to this day it weaves together European heritage and indigenous culture. The hub of city life is the Plaza Grande, shaded by great trees and overlooked by the Cathedral of San Ildefonso, one of the oldest on the American continent, and the Casa de Montejo. From here runs the stately Paseo de Montejo, a tree-lined avenue flanked by nineteenth-century mansions that recall the golden age of henequén, the agave fibre that enriched the region. Mérida is also a city of fragrant markets, live music in the squares and a refined Yucatecan cuisine, with dishes such as cochinita pibil, panuchos and sopa de lima. Its location makes it the ideal base for exploring an extraordinary archaeological heritage: the Maya sites of Uxmal and Chichén Itzá, both UNESCO World Heritage Sites, the lesser-known cities of the Puuc Route and the cenotes hidden in the countryside. Lively yet relaxed, safe and authentic, Mérida invites you to discover the Yucatán to the rhythm of its golden sunsets.

Starting from Mérida, the lively and colorful capital of Yucatán, travelers immerse themselves in streets lined with colonial buildings and bustling markets. The road to Cancún crosses breathtaking landscapes, including rainforests, cenotes, and ancient Mayan ruins. Along the way, you can make stops in charming colonial towns like Valladolid, where you can explore the ancient ruins of Chichén Itzá, one of the New Seven Wonders of the World. Continuing towards Cancún, you arrive on the Caribbean coast, where white sandy beaches and crystal-clear waters welcome visitors to a tropical paradise. Cancún is famous for its vibrant nightlife, luxury resorts, and numerous water activities available along the coast. Cancun stretches along the Caribbean coast of the Yucatán Peninsula, where dazzling white sands and turquoise waters have turned a once-remote sandbar into Mexico's most famous beach destination. The downtown area, on the mainland, keeps its Mexican soul of markets, taquerías and lively squares, while the Hotel Zone — a slender seven-shaped strip of land between the Caribbean Sea and the Nichupté Lagoon — lines up resorts, clubs and postcard beaches such as Playa Delfines for more than twenty kilometres. Cancun is above all a gateway to an extraordinary region: nearby lie the cenotes, the spectacular freshwater sinkholes in the limestone that were sacred to the Maya, along with the great nature and theme parks of the Riviera Maya. From here travellers reach the seaside ruins of Tulum and Chichén Itzá, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of the New Seven Wonders of the World, crowned by the pyramid of Kukulcán. Ferries link the island of Mujeres and the larger Cozumel, a diving paradise along the world's second-longest coral reef. Local cuisine invites you to taste cochinita pibil, Veracruz-style fish and fresh ceviche, paired with a mezcal at sunset. Between glittering nightlife and pockets of pure tropical calm, Cancun blends modern comfort with Caribbean charm in a single sun-drenched holiday.