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”).
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
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](https://i2.wp.com/frenchmoments.eu/wp-content/uploads/2014/08/Menton-©-Vinbaron-licence-CC-BY-SA-3.0-from-Wikimedia-Commons1.jpg)
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)
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
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…
Villefranche-sur-Mer
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Peille, French Riviera
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Prince’s Palace of Monaco
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What to see in the Provençal village of Ménerbes
The old village of Ménerbes is situated on a mountainous spur 230 metres above sea…
Pissaladière (French onion pizza)
Pissaladière is a sort of like a cheese-less pizza .. this is a typical lunchtime…
La Madrague: the story of the song
“La Madrague” is a famous French song recorded by Brigitte Bardot in 1963. On the…
Discover the French Alps from Thonon to Nice
Walking underneath dramatic glaciers and snow-capped peaks, strolling in the picture perfect old towns and…
Saint-Rémy-de-Provence
Saint-Rémy-de-Provence lies on the northern side of the Alpilles. The delightfully compacted little town of is…
Roquebrune-Cap-Martin
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Corniche Roads of the French Riviera
The Corniche Roads of the French Riviera consist of three routes following the mountainous stretch…
Aix-en-Provence, Provence-Alpes-Côte d’Azur
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Pistou – Provençal pesto
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Cours Mirabeau, Aix-en-Provence
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Colorado of Rustrel
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Menton’s Parks and Gardens
The resort town of Menton on the Mediterranean Sea boasts most interesting parks and gardens…
Saint-Jean-Cap-Ferrat
The seaside resort of Saint-Jean-Cap-Ferrat lies in a beautiful peninsula on the French Riviera between…
Lemon Tart – Tarte au citron
A classic lemon tart has a wonderful balance of lemons and a crispy sweet base.…
Facts and Figures about Monaco
The Principality of Monaco is full of interesting facts and figures. Here are a few…
Lacoste, Provence
Opposite the village of Bonnieux, Lacoste is set on one of the Luberon’s most impressive…
Rocher de Monaco (Rock of Monaco)
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Discover the Provençal village of Gordes in the Luberon
The village of Gordes is perched on a rock at 635 metres high, on the…
Les-Baux-de-Provence
Les Baux-de-Provence is situated 15 km from Arles and 25 km from Avignon. The small…
Aix-en-Provence Cathedral
A sacred place for thousands of years, the Aix-en-Provence cathedral has become a religious landmark in…
Beaulieu-sur-Mer
Beaulieu-sur-Mer is a Mediterranean resort situated between Nice and Monaco overlooking the beautiful Baie des…
Place d’Albertas, Aix-en-Provence
Almost facing the Natural History Museum of Aix-en-Provence lies the elegant Place d’Albertas, certainly one…
Great Mountain Passes in the French Alps
The great mountain passes in the French Alps played a great part in the mountain…
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…
Provence-Alpes-Côte d’Azur
Provence-Alpes-Côte d’Azur comprises of six départements in south-eastern France. The region is bordered by Italy to…
Aix-en-Provence Old Town
The Aix-en-Provence old town is enchanting: shady squares, elegant town-houses, lively open-air markets, … everything contributes…
Montagne Sainte-Victoire, Provence
An iconic natural landmark in Provence, similar to Mont Ventoux and Sainte-Baume, Montagne Sainte-Victoire, a…
Chocolate Mendiants
As little Christmas delicacies, chocolate mendiants are part of the Provençal tradition and the thirteen desserts.…
Pastis from Provence
Pastis is almost like a religion in Provence where the best pastis is found. “Il…
Monte-Carlo, Monaco
Monte-Carlo (sometimes called Monte-Carle in French) is arguably the most famous district of the Principality…
Aix-en-Provence History
A brief account of the history of Aix-en-Provence. Romans origins in Aix The Aixois (the area…
Principality of Monaco
Enjoying over 300 days of sunshine a year, the most glamorous destination on the Mediterranean…
Fontaine-de-Vaucluse, Provence
Fontaine-de-Vaucluse is a charming village lying on the bank of the Sorgue River. Fontaine was…
The Trophy of Augustus (le Trophée des Alpes) in La Turbie
The monumental commemorative structure known as the “Trophée des Alpes” (or Trophy of Augustus) stands…
The most beautiful sites in the Luberon, Provence
The Luberon is a protected mountainous mass in the département of Vaucluse, in the south…
Menton Lemon Festival
The most Italianate and the warmest town on the French Riviera has become famous for…
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 the village of Roussillon in the Luberon
Roussillon lies in the northern part of the Luberon, between the petit Luberon and the…
Discover Menton, French Riviera
The beauties of nature, the magnificence of the sun, the intoxication of the ever-changing sea……
Calissons from Aix-en-Provence
Calissons are a Provencal sweet treat composed of a light paste of crystallised melon and…
Sainte-Agnès, French Riviera
Perched on the flank of a mountain high above the town of Menton and the…
Èze, French Riviera
The perched village of Èze commands stunning views of mountains falling sheer to the Mediterranean.…
Nice Carnival
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Alpilles, Provence
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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…
Peillon, French Riviera
Situated in the hinterland of Nice, picturesque Peillon is one of the most beautiful perched…
Calanques of Cassis, Provence
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The cultural highlights of Provence
The Provence, part of the PACA region, one of the richest in France, is the…
Aioli
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
