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Bonnieux in the Luberon © French Moments

Provence-Alpes-Côte d’Azur

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Provence-Alpes-Côte d’Azur comprises of six départements in south-eastern France. The region is bordered by Italy to the East and the Mediterranean Sea to the South.

A brief description of Provence

Provence is probably one of the most renowned regions of France (along with Périgord). This sun drenched land stretches from the foothills of the Alps to the mouth of the Rhône and the Mediterranean to the South.

In 2008, Provence welcomed approximately 34 million visitors. This is made easier thanks to an excellent transport infrastructure (the Provence region has a total of 2,500 km of “autoroutes”).

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The Provencal heritage is displayed everywhere from the typical lavender fields to the nestled villages of the hinterland. 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, without forgetting the always surprising Marseille, now the third biggest city of France.

Saint-Rémy-de-Provence © French Moments

Saint-Rémy-de-Provence © French Moments

Provencal gastronomy has become world famous and popular with its bouillabaisse (a fish stew), pissaladière, lemon tart, wine and herbs.

A brief description of Côte d’Azur

Menton © Vinbaron - licence [CC BY-SA 3.0] from Wikimedia Commons

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…

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 was reunited with France in 1860 with most of the territory that is now called the “département des Alpes-Maritimes”. 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 Italian influence.

Eze by Jimi Magic (Public Domain)

Eze by Jimi Magic (Public Domain)

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…

  • Our pages on PROVENCE-ALPES-CÔTE-D\’AZUR

    Gastronomy Aioli © French Moments
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    Aioli is a sauce based on garlic, egg yolk and olive oil is widespread from Catalonia…

    • Provence-Alpes-Côte d’Azur Tourist Board: http://www.tourismepaca.fr

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    About Author

    Pierre is a French/Australian who is passionate about France and its culture. He grew up in France and Germany and has also lived in Australia and England. In 2014 he moved back to Europe from Sydney with his wife and daughter to be closer to their families and to France. He has a background teaching French and holds a Master of Translating and Interpreting English-French with the degree of Master of International Relations and a degree of Economics and Management.

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