The region of Provence-Alpes-Côte d’Azur is made up of six départements in south-eastern France. Casually known as “PACA” or “Région Sud”, the region is bordered by Italy to the East and the Mediterranean Sea to the South. We have published a number of articles on Provence that will help you explore this fantastic sunny destination.
A brief description of Provence-Alpes-Côte d’Azur
© French Moments
For foreign visitors, Provence-Alpes-Côte d’Azur is probably one of the most renowned regions of France (along with Paris, the Loire and Périgord). This sun-drenched land stretches from the foothills of the Alps to the mouth of the Rhône and the Mediterranean to the South.
The region is a tourist hotspot. With 10.1 million overnight stays recorded in 2017, Provence-Alpes-Côte d’Azur is the first touristic region in France after Paris.
This is made easier thanks to excellent transport infrastructure (the Provence region has a total of 2,500 km of motorway).
The A8 Motorway near Menton – Stock Photos from Michael R Evans – Shutterstock
The TGV (French high-speed train) links Paris to Marseille in 3hrs only.
The administrative region is made up of 6 départements :
- Alpes-de-Haute-Provence [07] – head city: Digne-les-Bains
- Hautes-Alpes [05] – head city: Gap
- Alpes-Maritimes [06] – head city: Nice
- Bouches-du-Rhône [13] – head city: Marseille
- Var [83] – head city: Toulon
- Vaucluse [84] – head city: Avignon
Provence-Alpes-Côte d’Azur is one of France’s most populated region (pop. 5 007 977 in 2015).
The Provençal heritage
What comes to mind when we think about Provence? The typical lavender fields, olive groves and orchards, the colourful façades of picturesque villages, great town markets…
The abbey of Sénanque near Gordes © French Moments
A rich heritage ranges from Roman in Arles, Saint-Rémy-de-Provence, Vaison-la-Romaine to Romanesque in the Abbeys of Sénanque and Silvacane.
However, some of France’s most thriving cities can be found in Provence: Aix-en-Provence, Arles, Avignon or Nîmes (now in Occitania), without forgetting the always surprising Marseille, now the third biggest city of France.
The Provençal gastronomy
Provencal gastronomy has become world-famous and popular with a wide array of delicious dishes and desserts:
- bouillabaisse (a fish stew)
Bouillabaisse – Stock Photos from Michael R Evans – Shutterstock
- pissaladière (a sort of Provençal pizza with anchovies)
Pissaladière – Stock Photos from AS Food studio – Shutterstock
- wine
Fancy a glass of Provençal rosé ? – Stock Photos from barmalini – Shutterstock
- herbs
Provençal herbs – Stock Photos from Maria Medvedeva – Shutterstock
- olives
Olives in Provence – Stock Photos from Sylvie Lebchek – Shutterstock
- calissons from Aix-en-Provence
Calissons from Aix-en-Provence © French Moments
- candied fruits from Apt
Glazed and candied fruits from Apt – Stock Photos from Maria Medvedeva – Shutterstock
- lemon tart from Menton
Lemon tart – Stock Photos from margouillat photo – Shutterstock
- nougat from Montélimar (a town now in Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes)
French Nougat – Stock Photos from Hayati Kayhan – Shutterstock
Beautiful landscapes of Provence
The Provence countryside is stunning. Some of my favourite destinations are:
- the Luberon
The ochre cliffs at Roussillon © French Moments
- the Alpilles
The village of Eygalières and the Alpilles mountains © French Moments
- the Camargue
The wild horses of Camargue – Stock Photos from GUDKOV ANDREY – Shutterstock
- the Calanques of Cassis
The beautiful Calanque of Port-Miou © Olivier Risnes
The emblematic Montagne Sainte-Victoire © Olivier Risnes
Not convinced yet about the riches of Provence? Check out this video 🙂
A brief description of Côte d’Azur
![Menton © Vinbaron - licence [CC BY-SA 3.0] from Wikimedia Commons](https://frenchmoments.eu/wp-content/uploads/2014/08/Menton-%C2%A9-Vinbaron-licence-CC-BY-SA-3.0-from-Wikimedia-Commons1.jpg)
The Italianate town of Menton © Vinbaron – licence [CC BY-SA 3.0] from Wikimedia Commons
The Côte d’Azur, also known as the “French Riviera”, has such wonderful scenery that it has attracted millions of visitors over the years.
Between Toulon and Menton, the Mediterranean coast is home to some of the most prestigious spa and resort towns in Europe: Saint-Tropez, Cannes, Nice, Monaco, Menton…
The hilltop village of Peillon in the Nice Hinterland – licence [CC BY-SA 3.0] from Wikimedia Commons
This part of Provence is definitely influenced by its neighbour Italy. Lavender fields, chestnut and olive trees, sun-bathed vineyards and nestled villages constantly remind the visitor that he is still in Provence.
Nice is often considered as the “Queen of the Riviera”. The former city of the House of Savoy became French in 1860 with most of the territory that is now called the Maritime Alps département.
The Seafront in Nice – Stock Photos from Sergii Zinko – Shutterstock
With more than 500,000 inhabitants, Nice stretches along the shores of the dazzling Baie des Anges and boats a picture-perfect old town with an Italian influence.
Nice is a perfect starting point for further visits towards Cannes, the Esterel mountains, Monaco, Menton and the perched villages of Nice’s hinterland: Peille, Peillon, Èze, Sainte-Agnès, Lucéram…
Alongside Marseille and Toulon, it is one of the main French harbours from where boats sail across the Mediterranean Sea. In fact, Nice is France’s second-largest port for intercontinental cruises.
A picture-perfect view of the hilltop village of Eze. Photo by Jimi Magic (Public Domain)
Find out more about the Côte d’Azur or French Riviera on the blog.
Our pages on PROVENCE-ALPES-CÔTE-D\’AZUR
Aix-en-Provence Cathedral
A sacred place for thousands of years, the Aix-en-Provence cathedral has become a religious landmark in…
Aix-en-Provence, Provence-Alpes-Côte d’Azur
The din of cicadas, the southern French accent, a glass of Pastis at a table outside…
Pistou – Provençal pesto
Pistou (Provençal pesto) is typically Provençal and is a sauce made with basil, garlic, olive…
Pissaladière (French onion pizza)
Pissaladière is a sort of like a cheese-less pizza .. this is a typical lunchtime…
Nice Carnival: A Discovery Guide
If there is a festival worth mentioning in the South of France, I couldn’t miss…
Aix-en-Provence Old Town
The Aix-en-Provence old town is enchanting: shady squares, elegant town-houses, lively open-air markets, … everything contributes…
Chocolate Mendiants
As little Christmas delicacies, chocolate mendiants are part of the Provençal tradition and the thirteen desserts.…
Discover the Principality of Monaco
Enjoying over 300 days of sunshine a year, the most glamorous destination on the Mediterranean…
Monte-Carlo, Monaco
Monte-Carlo (sometimes called Monte-Carle in French) is arguably the most famous district of the Principality…
The most beautiful sites in the Luberon, Provence
The Luberon is a protected mountainous mass in the département of Vaucluse, in the south…
Aioli
Aioli is a sauce based on garlic, egg yolk and olive oil is widespread from Catalonia…
Provençal Tomatoes and Aubergines / Tomates et aubergines farcies à la Provençale
Provençal Tomaotes and Aubergines are a delicious vegetarian dish which is often cooked in Provence where…
Pastis from Provence
Pastis is almost like a religion in Provence where the best pastis is found. Pastis…
Cours Mirabeau, Aix-en-Provence
Paris has its Champs-Élysées, Nice its Promenade des Anglais, Marseille its Canebière and Aix its…
![Nice Port © Rosanna Delpiano - licence [CC BY-SA 4.0] from Wikimedia Commons](https://frenchmoments.eu/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/xNice-Port-,PC2,PA9-Rosanna-Delpiano-licence-CC-BY-SA-4.0-from-Wikimedia-Commons-351x185.jpg.pagespeed.ic.Hhxhyj-EtE.jpg "What to see in Nice when cruising the French Riviera")
What to see in Nice when cruising the French Riviera
There are many good reasons why you should start (or finish) a cruise in Nice.…
Corniche Roads of the French Riviera
The Corniche Roads of the French Riviera consist of three routes following the mountainous stretch…
![Menton, French Riviera © Vinbaron - licence [CC BY-SA 3.0] from Wikimedia Commons](https://frenchmoments.eu/wp-content/uploads/2014/08/xMenton-,PC2,PA9-Vinbaron-licence-CC-BY-SA-3.0-from-Wikimedia-Commons1-351x185.jpg.pagespeed.ic.Fv9_RgWfNo.jpg "Menton on the French Riviera – A Discovery Guide")
Menton on the French Riviera – A Discovery Guide
The beauties of nature, the magnificence of the sun, the intoxication of the ever-changing sea……
Why you should discover Bédoin in Provence
In this article, I have chosen to tell you about the village of Bédoin, where…
Menton’s Parks and Gardens: A Little Guide
The resort town of Menton on the Mediterranean Sea boasts the most interesting parks and…
The best sites to see around Saint-Rémy-de-Provence
Last August we were in Provence, in the area around Saint-Rémy-de-Provence for a couple of days.…
Calissons from Aix-en-Provence
Calissons are a Provencal sweet treat composed of a light paste of crystallised melon and…
Explore the little town of Saint-Rémy-de-Provence
The little town of Saint-Rémy-de-Provence lies in a beautiful countryside against the backdrop of the Alpilles…
La Madrague: the story of the song
“La Madrague” is a famous French song recorded by Brigitte Bardot in 1963. On the…
Learn about the traditions of Christmas in Provence
Christmas in Provence starts with the Sainte Barbe celebrations on the 4th December and culminate on Christmas…
Explore the Alpilles mountain range in Provence
If you are looking for a postcard image of Provence, that of authentic Provençal atmosphere,…
Eze, The Gem of the French Riviera
My first visit to Eze truly amazed me. As a young teenager, I remember the…
Montagne Sainte-Victoire, Provence
An iconic natural landmark in Provence, similar to Mont Ventoux and Sainte-Baume, Montagne Sainte-Victoire, a…
Aix-en-Provence History
A brief account of the history of Aix-en-Provence. Romans origins in Aix The Aixois (the area…
Place d’Albertas, Aix-en-Provence
Almost facing the Natural History Museum of Aix-en-Provence lies the elegant Place d’Albertas, certainly one…
Saint-Jean-Cap-Ferrat
The seaside resort of Saint-Jean-Cap-Ferrat lies in a beautiful peninsula on the French Riviera between…
The cultural highlights of Provence
The Provence, part of the PACA region, one of the richest in France, is the…
Les Baux-de-Provence: a beautiful village!
The site of Les Baux-de-Provence is situated 15 km from Arles and 25 km from…
![The fortified town of Briançon © Shesmax - licence [CC BY-SA 4.0] from Wikimedia Commons](https://frenchmoments.eu/wp-content/uploads/2020/09/Brianc%CC%A7on-%C2%A9-Shesmax-licence-CC-BY-SA-4.0-from-Wikimedia-Commons-351x185.jpg "Discover the Formidable Fortified Town of Briançon")
Discover the Formidable Fortified Town of Briançon
An imposing citadel on a rocky outcrop in a spectacular setting of high mountain peaks……
![General view of Sainte-Agnès © Patrick Rouzet - licence [CC BY-SA 3.0] from Wikimedia Commons](https://frenchmoments.eu/wp-content/uploads/2014/08/Sainte-Agnes-%C2%A9-Patrick-Rouzet-licence-CC-BY-SA-3.0-from-Wikimedia-Commons-1-351x185.jpg "Sainte-Agnès, a perched village above Menton")
Sainte-Agnès, a perched village above Menton
When driving on the mountain road D22, the hilltop village of Sainte-Agnès makes a great…
![French Riviera - Côte d'Azur © Frédéric Ducarme - licence [CC BY-SA 3.0] from Wikimedia Commons](https://frenchmoments.eu/wp-content/uploads/2021/05/Agay-from-Dramont-%C2%A9-Fre%CC%81de%CC%81ric-Ducarme-licence-CC-BY-SA-3.0-from-Wikimedia-Commons-351x185.jpg "The French Riviera or Côte d’Azur: A discovery guide")
The French Riviera or Côte d’Azur: A discovery guide
For many French people, the French Riviera (or Côte d’Azur) is synonymous with summer holidays.…
7 Villages to Visit on your Dream Holiday in the Luberon
Provence immediately conjures up images of lavender filled fields, beautiful farm houses and manoirs with…
Roquebrune-Cap-Martin: A Discovery Guide
As the Corniche roads from Nice descend towards Menton, it approaches the Mediterranean resort of…
La Turbie and the Trophy of Augustus
La Turbie brings back fond memories of my childhood. I had a great interest in…
Menton Lemon Festival: A Little Guide
The most Italianate and the warmest town on the French Riviera has become famous for…
Discover Beaulieu-sur-Mer on the French Riviera
Beaulieu-sur-Mer is a Mediterranean resort situated between Nice and Monaco overlooking the beautiful Baie des…
Great Mountain Passes in the French Alps
The great mountain passes in the French Alps played a great part in the mountain…
Colorado of Rustrel
The unexpected Colorado of Rustrel ranks among Provence’s most beautiful attractions. Situated on one of…
Place de l’Hôtel de Ville, Aix-en-Provence
Place de l’Hôtel de Ville, Aix-en-Provence is arguably one of Provence’s most famous squares with…
Discover Villefranche-sur-Mer on the French Riviera
Now included in the Greater Nice, the dazzling little town of Villefranche-sur-Mer on the French Riviera…
Fontaine-de-Vaucluse, Provence
Fontaine-de-Vaucluse is a charming village lying on the bank of the Sorgue River. Fontaine was…
Lemon Tart – Tarte au citron
A classic lemon tart has a wonderful balance of lemons and a crispy sweet base.…
Peillon: A Discovery Guide of the Perched Village
Situated in the hinterland of Nice, picturesque Peillon is one of the most beautiful villages…
Discover the Provençal village of Gordes in the Luberon
The village of Gordes is perched on a rock at 635 metres high, on the…
Lacoste, Provence
Opposite the village of Bonnieux, Lacoste is set on one of the Luberon’s most impressive…
The French Alps: A Mini Discovery Guide
Walking underneath dramatic glaciers and snow-capped peaks, strolling in the picture perfect old towns and…
Rocher de Monaco (Rock of Monaco)
The oldest part of the Principality of Monaco is Le Rocher, a rocky promontory between…
Discover the village of Roussillon in the Luberon
Roussillon lies in the northern part of the Luberon, between the petit Luberon and the…
What to see in the Provençal village of Ménerbes
The old village of Ménerbes is situated on a mountainous spur 230 metres above sea…
Peille, a hilltop village in the Nice Hinterland
Peille is a perched village set atop a narrow rocky spur overlooking the Peillon Valley…
Facts and Figures about Monaco
The Principality of Monaco is full of interesting facts and figures. Here are a few…
![Prince's Palace © Niels Mickers - licence [CC BY-3.0-nl] from Wikimedia Commons](https://frenchmoments.eu/wp-content/uploads/2014/08/246x185xPrinces-Palace-,PC2,PA9-Niels-Mickers-licence-CC-BY-3.0-nl-from-Wikimedia-Commons.jpg.pagespeed.ic.if4wSdIwjq.jpg "Prince’s Palace of Monaco")
Prince’s Palace of Monaco
Situated on a rocky promontory, the Prince’s Palace of Monaco (Palais Princier) is the official residence…
Calanques of Cassis, Provence
The Calanques of Cassis are a unique geological formation in Provence, usually comprised of limestone…
Discover the region of Provence-Alpes-Côte d’Azur
The region of Provence-Alpes-Côte d’Azur is made up of six départements in south-eastern France. Casually…
Visit the Official Website of the Provence-Alpes-Côte d’Azur Tourist Board for more practical info.
![The fortified town of Briançon © Shesmax - licence [CC BY-SA 4.0] from Wikimedia Commons](https://frenchmoments.eu/wp-content/uploads/2020/09/Briançon-©-Shesmax-licence-CC-BY-SA-4.0-from-Wikimedia-Commons-214x140.jpg "Discover the Formidable Fortified Town of Briançon")
