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Provence, France tourist information

The Provence-Alpes-Cote d'Azur region covers the south-east corner of France. It is perhaps the most visited and most loved region of France, and includes beautiful Mediterranean coastline, medieval villages clustered among the olive groves in sun-baked countryside, and mountainous regions.

For the purpose of this travel guide we have a separate section for the Cote d'Azur, the region of the coast from near Toulon in the west to the border with Italy in the east.

The region contains six French departments: to the north-east are the Alpes-de-Haute-Provence and the Hautes-Alpes; the coastal Riviera section (with Cannes and Nice) including the Alpes-Maritime department; the Var department also on the Mediterranean coast; Bouches-du-Rhone (includes Arles and Marseille) and Vaucluse to the west of the region.

Places to visit in Provence

Alpes-de-Haute-Provence and the Hautes-Alpes

- the Gorges du Verdon, a dramatic gorge cutting through the centre of the region, a perfect place to see wildlife and dramatic scenery (and the 'gateway' town of Castellane)

- the fortified mountain town of Briançon, and the Parc des Ecrins

- Sisteron, site of the famous citadel

- the rock-strewn village of Annot

- the craggy village and citadelle at Entrevaux

- Ecrins National Parc

- the Serre Chevalier ski region is also in the Hautes-Alpes department

Most Beautiful villages

- Moustiers-Sainte-Marie - near the Gorges du Verdon Moustiers
- La Grave - 40km NW of Briancon La Grave

The Haute-Alpes region, especially the Serre Chevalier region and around Briancon, and also parts of the Alpes-Maritimes and Alpes-de-Haute-Provence , are very popular winter skiing destinations.

Riviera (and inland to the Alpes-Maritimes)

The coastal part of this region is covered by the separate Cote d'Azur section.

- Grasse - France's perfume capital

- a large part of the Alpes-Maritimes inland region is within the Mercantour National Parc

- inland from the coast there is some of the finest scenery in France to explore. Apart from the towns and villages, the more accessible highlights include the stunning red Gorges du Cians, carved through the mountains near Beuil and the Gorges du Loup near Gourdon

- inland in eastern Provence venture into the mountains and the Mercantour National Park to visit Sospel, then slightly further north to reach Saorge and Tende, two more attractive hill villages in great locations.

- The department of the Alpes Maritimes is in the south east corner of France and boasts such famous names as Nice, Antibes and Cannes, and much more besides...discover the Alpes-Maritimes in our guest article

Most Beautiful villages

GOURDON - 12km NE of Grasse Gourdon

PROVENCE FOOD: Don't miss the olive oil in the Provence region of France - the Côte d'Azur and Provence regions are famous worldwide for their superb olive oil.  The region is also rich in fruit, vegetables, and herbs, and supplies the rest of France with high quality ingredients.  As you can imagine, the cuisine here is spectacular, whether it’s truffles or cured meats, goat cheese or basil...

Var (region includes St Tropez)

The coastal part of this region is covered by the Cote d'Azur guide.

This central-southern region of Provence includes much magnificent coastline, and some very interesting towns and villages if you head towards the quieter interior. These include:

- the countryside, grottes and pretty villages in the north of the Var region around Aups: including Cotignac, Sillans-la-Cascade, Salernes and Tourtour, and Entrecasteaux chateau. Villecroze and  its troglodyte caves (did they really have such a designer garden in front of their caves, I wonder?) are also well worth visiting.

Most Beautiful villages in the region include Seillans (35km west of Graisse)

Bouches-du-Rhone and Vaucluse

- the villages of the Luberon, and the other perched (hilltop) villages across the region (see Luberon) include several that are classified as most beautiful villages of France. Some of the vilages t visit include those at Fontaine de Vaucluse, and Gordes and Roussillon. Also close by to visit is Menerbes

See also the Luberon Regional Natural Park including Cavaillon and Lourmarin.

- wildlife (including Camargue horses) at the Parc Naturel Regional de Camargue, perhaps best explored from Saintes Maries de la Mer

- the Roman Theatre and remains at Orange

- the town of Aix-en-Provence and the centrally placed town at Salon-de-Provence

- unmissable, the town of Arles and also the Roman monuments at Arles

- follow the road from Arles towards the beautiful village at Les Baux-de-Provence, stopping off en-route for a look around Fontvieille

- the village of Saint Remy-de-Provence and the nearby archaeological site at Glanum

- the famous palace and bridge of Avignon is another highlight

- explore on foot the dramatic Dentelles de Montmirail or see the Calanques of Marseille, and the second largest city in France - Marseille.

The calanques of Marseille

- relax in the Drome-Provence region, surrounded by lavender fields, and visit Vaison la Romaine

Other

There are many other beautiful places not (yet) covered by this guide. One word of caution however - the enormous fame of the region has paid its toll on the region. Several people that have visited the region this year have told me that the places they knew and loved years ago have now been destroyed by over-development and over-crowding. Certainly Provence has had a 'building frenzy' in recent years. In summer in the more popular regions traffic jams, coaches and crowds are the norm.

Most beautiful villages not covered in this guide:

COARAZE - 12km NW od Contes
SAINTE-AGNES - 20km NE of Monaco
SAINT-VERAN - 50 km SE of Briancon
BARGEME - 30km S of Castellane
TOURTOUR - 20 km W of Draguignan
ANSOUIS
SEGURET - 15 km NE of Orange
VENASQUE - 12 km SW of Carpentras

Visit Provence - travel information

Map of Provence, France