Alpes-Maritimes

Coastal Alpes Maritimes is home to Cannes, Nice, Antibes and much more besides (see Cote d'Azur for details).

Head inland from the coast of the Alpes-Maritimes to discover some of the finest scenery in Provence (and France).

Among the many picturesque towns and villages, highlights include Gourdon, a classified most beautiful village to the north of Grasse, France's perfume capital.

Further north-east, venture into the mountains and the Mercantour National Park to visit Sospel, then slightly further north to reach Saorge and Tende, both attractive hill villages in great locations.

See Alpes-Maritimes for visitor information (also Cote d'Azur guide for the coast)

Var

Var, to the south of Provence, includes some fine coastline and such famous riviera resorts as Saint-Tropez.

Head towards the quieter interior of the Var to discover many interesting destinations such as the countryside and villages around Aups in the north of the Var, and the villages of the Cotes de Rhone wine region.

Particular mention goes to the towns of Entrecasteaux, Flayosc, Les-Arcs, Salernes and Tourtour - each with its own particular charm and slightly off the tourist trail. Most beautiful villages in the region include Seillans (35km west of Graisse).

Another highlight is the scenic splendours of the Port Cros National Park and the Iles of Hyeres which are off the Var coast.

See Var department guide for visitor information (also Cote d'Azur guide for the coast)

Vaucluse

The Vaucluse region, in north-west Provence, contains Provence's most famous mountain - Mont Ventoux - just north of the dramatic crags of the Dentelles de Montmirail, and other impressive destinations and landscapes.

Several Vaucluse villages are classified as 'most beautiful villages of France', among them Fontaine de Vaucluse, Gordes, Roussillon, also Menerbes and Lourmarin: see Luberon.

Also in Vaucluse visit the very impressive palace and bridge of Avignon - the town of Avignon itself is also a highlight, then see the Roman Theatre and ruins at Orange, among the finest roman remains to be found in France. By way of contrast head to the north of Vaucluse to relax in the Drome-Provence region, surrounded by lavender fields, and to visit Vaison-la-Romaine.

See Vaucluse department guide for visitor information

Bouches-du-Rhone

The Bouches-du-Rhone department is to the west of Provence and has a wide diversity of landscapes from the protected marshy landscapes of the Camargue region (explored from the pleasant resort of Saintes-Maries-de-la-Mer) to the dramatic coast east of Marseille along the Calanques at Marseille near Cassis.

Important towns in the department include Arles, Roman city and home to Van Gogh, and Marseille, and also several other smaller market towns, each with a distinctive Provencal feel, such as Aix-en-Provence.

There are also several lovely villages to discover - perhaps Les Baux-de-Provence is the best known, while other popular places in bouches-du-Rhone include Fontvieille, Martigues, Saint-Remy-de-Provence and Salon-de-Provence.

See Bouches-du-Rhone department guide for visitor information

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

This north-eastern part of Provence includes the dramatic scenery of the Alps and foothills, and the Gorges du Verdon, a dramatic gorge usually explored from Castellane.

A few other highlights in the alps include the fortified mountain town of Briancon, the Serre Chevalier ski region and, in the high mountains, the Natural Parc des Ecrins.

Other popular places to visit include Sisteron, the rock-strewn village of Annot and the craggy village at Entrevaux, while 'most beautiful villages in France' include Moustiers and La Grave. The Haute-Alpes region, especially the Serre Chevalier region and around Briancon, are very popular winter skiing destinations - see skiing in the Alps for details.

See Alpes-de-Haute-Provence and Hautes-Alpes for visitor information