Regions - Southeastern France - Provence
Regions — Southeastern France – Provence
Region at a glance
Major City: Marseille
Sunny, bright region of mountains and coastline
Quaint hilltop cities and fashionable, lively towns
Medieval fortresses and Roman ruins
Fields of flowers and lavender made famous by painters
The region of Provence-Alps-Côte d'Azur is known for celebrating the simple sensuous pleasures of life. Ideally situated between the Mediterranean coastline and the Alps, the region is geographically diverse with a wide variety of attractions and activities.
Visitors can explore ancient Roman ruins, medieval fortresses and charming hilltop provençal villages. They can hike the Grand Canyon du Verdon, ride the famous white horses in the Camargue or simply take a picnic basket for a day in the countryside. The valleys are carpeted with lavender and the fields are filled with the sunflowers and olive trees that Van Gogh loved to paint.
France's oldest city, Marseille, is a bustling port with a lively local atmosphere. Avignon, once the Papal residence is now a cheerful town of cafés, art galleries and fashionable shops. Aix-en-Provence, a university town filled with students offers tree shaded streets and 17th century mansions and of course, the harbor town of St. Tropez is long famous for its glamour and beauty.
Places of interest
Aix-en Provence Old town: 17th and 18th century character, Cours Mirabeau, St. Sauveur Cathedral, Fountain of the Nine Cannons and Thermal Water, Museum of Tapestry, Paul Cézanne Museum
Apt Typical Provencal town in the Alps, Church of St. Anne
Arles Roman capital and major medieval religious center (the Cloister and the doorway of St. Trophime, Montmajour Abbey, Réattu Museum, Constantin Palace, Antique theater, Pagan Art Museum, Christian Art Museum
Avignon Ramparts, old city, Papal Palace, old palace, Calvet Museum
Les Baux de Provence Hilltop city, ghost town and the Cathédral d'Images
Briançon Highest town in Europe, Ville Haute old town has changed very little since Vauban surrounded by ramparts
la Camargue Region famous for its white horses and regional cowboys
Carpentras St. Siffrein cathedral, Regional Provençal Museum, 15th Century synagogue
Cassis Small fishing port
Digne-les-Bains A stop on the route Napoleon
Draguignan Old town and museum, allied military cemetery
Forcalquier Cordeliers convent, the Cathedral Church of Notre Dame, old town
Fontvieille Alphonse Daudet Square, Provençal antiques
Gordes Village built on a hill above the Vaucluse plateau, chateau, Senaque abbey, Borie village
Manosque Home of the writer Jean Giono, church of Saint Sauveur, Notre Dame de Romigier
Marseille Oldest city in France, Greek, Roman and Christian heritage, old port, Canebiére, Saint Victor Basilica, Historic Marseille Museum, Fine Arts Museum
Mont Ventoux Lovely climb to the summit
Orange Roman city, gateway to the Midi, Colline St-Eutrope
Saint-Rémy de Provence Arc of Triumph, Van Gogh's convalescent home
Saintes-Maries-de-la-Mer Ornithological Park
Tarascon Made famous by Alphonse Daudet's Tartarin apple pie, and fabrics, 13th century castle of King René, 10th century St. Marthe Church, Tartarin's house
Toulon Beautiful harbor
Vaison la Romaine Roman city, the French Pompei.
Technical tourism and sports
China, Pottery, Carpets, Pipes, Santons (Clay figures for Christmas nativityscenes), Soleiado fabrics.
Golf, biking, hiking, horseback riding, water sports, petanque (bocce).
Cuisine
Beef is often prepared as a stew called boeuf en daube with vegetables being a main staple served as a gratin, in salads or stuffed with meat. Cuisine of this region emphasizes seasonings such as herbs and garlic.
Bouillabaisse is a popular fish soup. A mayonnaise garlic sauce known as aïoli is also a local specialty.
The Côtes de Provence wine region is mainly known for its dry, fruity rosé wines: Bandol, Bellet, Palette, Cassis. Red wines include Côtes du Rhône, Chateauneuf-du-Pape and Gigonoles.
Travel Discounts for France