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Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur, France

Make the most of your time in Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur, use the information provided on this web site by clicking on the links to plan your visit.

With Italy to the east, the Mediterranean to the south, the River Rhone to the west and the Alps to the north the region of Provence-Alpes-Cote-d’Azur is somewhat hemmed in to the south-east of France. And it is this diversity of landscape coupled with its plethora of glamorous coastal towns and cities that make the region of Provence one of the world’s most prestigious and popular places to visit.

The French often refer to Provence simply as PACA and, giving a glimpse as to its reputation, regional legend has it that after God created the earth, the sun, the mountains and the sea he used the remainder to create Provence. PACA truly is a stunning corner of the globe and is a land of rich culture and excellent views, serving to compound its status as a must-visit destination. The province, divided into six smaller segments, is home to popular destinations such as Marseille which is regional capital, Nice, Aix-en-Provence, Avignon, St Tropez and Toulon, while near to the border with Italy is, of course, the principality of Monaco.

It is in these glitzy coastal towns and cities that the majority of the region’s 4.3 million inhabitants live. PACA is France’s third most important region when it comes to the economy, and due to its dynamism and fashionable nature, it is its tourism which provides the bulk of this performance. There are many beach resorts, a number of which prove popular among the artists, while inland the hillside communities such as Grasse and Mongins are attractive with beautiful scenery, as you’d imagine when approaching the Alps.

The region is full of hotels and restaurants, the former category abundant in four-star properties, the latter with a feast of three Michelin star facilities. There are also outdoor spaces in which to relax and enjoy, not least on the sun-drenched beaches and in the lovely blue sea. The Parc National des Ecrins and the Parc National du Mercantour are two of the country’s picturesque national parks, while the Camargue is a 215,000 acre space of rice fields and salt marshes and other romantic and original spaces. Provence is also known for its lavender fields and olive groves which seem to cover the region.

PACA is known for its abundance of fruit and vegetable growth, most notably melons, while seafood and regional goat and sheep milk cheeses are also among the specialities. There is also a regional dish called Bagna Cauda which is eaten with the help of a fondue style device. Meanwhile, some 80 million bottles of wine are produced each year in Provence, thanks in part to the world’s largest rose wine vineyard being placed in the region. Pastis is the name of a local drink and has a distinctly aniseed flavour.

The glittering south-eastern France region has a good number of museums, while there is also a wealth of nightlife. There are also several Roman buildings and remains, with a handful of cathedrals and fortresses. The picturesque nature of the region has tempted many painters such as Van Gogh and Cezanne into the area in times gone by, while film critics are welcomed during the prestigious Cannes film festival which occurs each year.
 

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