France is full of amazing and luxurious destinations, but the region of Provence-Alpes-Cote d’Azur is the best.
When you think of France, you automatically begin to imagine Paris and the Eiffel Tower, the Louvre, and the Arc de Triomphe. To be honest, the capital city has a hold over most visitors, and that means visitors often neglect other regions of France. Yes, Paris is a wonderful city, but it is time to broaden your horizons and start to take in more of the ‘real’ France. It is time to visit the luxurious area of Provence, and here’s why.
Provence-Alps-Cote d’Azur is a region blessed by the gods, packed with a wealth of natural riches and heritage attractions that visitors can enjoy discovering around every corner!
The Mediterranean Sea, synonymous with sunshine, sweet fragrances and time-old culture is omnipresent in the region and comes in every shape, form and mood: wild in Camargue, authentic in the “Calanques” fjords, untouched on the islands of Lérins, Port Cros and Porquerolles, trendy in the Côte d’Azur’s coastal resorts, or a hub of port activity in the main towns! Even the inland countryside bathes in this Mediterranean culture that makes our destination so special and seduces every visitor.
This Top Ten is our selection of “must do” sights to help you experience our region to the full! We are happy to share them with you, so you can go on to create your own story in Provence- Alps-Cote d’Azur. We look forward to meeting you!
What better way to start your trip than with a tour of our emblematic towns, each with its own, totally unique personality…
Marseille France’s oldest town – is a lively, cosmopolitan and typically Mediterranean city. From the Old Port to the heart of the city, and the ancient Panier quarter to the magnificent Corniche coast road, Marseille offers all the right ingredients for a colourful travel experience! Pay a visit to the Parc National des Calanques, bringing nature to the heart of the city.
The Roman city of Arles has a fiery spirit all of its own, largely inspired by nearby Camargue! Its Roman heritage is absolutely remarkable. Formerly referred to as “Little Rome”, Arles has inspired such illustrious artists as Van Gogh, Picasso and Gauguin! Today, its international photo festival welcomes the world’s top photographers.
Avignon, the City of the Popes, is instilled with the genteel lifestyle of Provence. Its Popes’ Palace is the venue for the famous Avignon Theatre Festival held every year. The town features in the chorus of the famous nursery rhyme “Sur Le Pont d’Avignon”, a melody that can be heard around the world!
A meeting place for the international jet set in summer, Saint-Tropez bathes in the quiet atmosphere of a little fishing port outside peak season, offering delightful little shaded squares, typical boules games, lively café terraces and picturesque sandy beaches!
Just a few kilometres away from the hustle and bustle of Saint-Tropez luscious vineyards are cultivated producing the wines of Provence and – of course – our famous rosé wines, perfect served chilled in the shade of a pretty bower! A little further North towards Vaucluse you will come to the Côtes du Rhône (red and white wines), home to Chateauneuf du Pape. You can best discover these wonderful wines by touring the local vineyards and cooperative wine cellars at the heart of a magical landscape!
It is an unforgettable experience to see the blue lavender stretching as far as the eye can see. It flowers from June to August in the Haute-Provence and in the Southern Alps.
The ochre quarries of Roussillon, magnificent village of Gordes and Mont Ventoux are just some of the unforgettable sights you will find here. Peter Mayle brought this area of Provence to fame with his best-selling books!
The Luberon Regional Nature Reserve is committed to preserving the gifts of nature, so that everyone can continue to enjoy them to the full.
The Verdon is a protected area too, home to the world-famed Verdon Grand Canyon. This geological phenomenon, characterized by its turquoise waters and surprisingly deep cliffs is not to be missed. The magic of the area is best explored through the array of outdoor sports available here, from hiking, cycling and mountain-biking to white water sports, canyoning, climbing or paragliding…You can best experience the Canyon by exploring it on foot or in a kayak!
So it is our pleasure to invite you to experience the magical encounters, history, culinary pleasures, sporting challenges and many other wonders the Provence-Alps-Cote d’Azur region has to offer!
The Luxury
Do you want a holiday that pampers you and indulges you in the finer things in life? Of course you do because it is human nature to want to experience the most luxurious aspects of life. And, Provence has got them in abundance. From the nicest hotels through the best food and accommodation to the finest private ground transportation, the region is built on luxury. Regardless of what hotel you pick, or which part of the region you decide to stay, you won’t find a more glamorous vacation.
The Weather
The reason you want to get away is to relax in a beautiful part of the world while the sun beats down, especially at this time of year. As the weather is getting colder and colder, the thought of sunbathing on a beach seems like a pipedream. Well, it isn’t a pipedream because the weather in Provence is warm all year around. Even in the winter, you can still find the sunny Provence weather to be warm and very pleasant. As it is situated on the South-West coast, it is close to the Mediterranean Sea and gets all the best weather regardless of the season.
The Beaches
Golden, sandy beaches are not easy to find. Okay, almost every holiday destination boasts a beach, but what type? The majority of them are decent, but they don’t blow your mind, not like the ones in Provence. The sand really is golden brown, and the sea is a remarkable color of blue. There is nothing like taking a day to relax on the beaches of Nice or Cannes and letting the day pass by without a second thought.
