Provence Alpes Cote D'Azur region
This huge region offers a vast array of landscape, architecture, activities, cultureand climate. The scenery is very varied, from high mountain peaks to the marshes of the Camargue and everthing in between, but always stunning. Thereare large fashionable cosmopolitan cities, and tiny hidden villages.
Thereare beaches and cliffs, vineyards and arable land, lavender and olives. Thereare fascinating cathedrals and museums and wonderful shopping, bars, restaurantsand hotels. Local culinary specialities abound. There are too many acitivitiesto list them all. If you want to do it, it can be done in this region.In short there is something for everyone here.
Accommodation ranges from luxury hotels, through small town hotels and bed and breakfast establishments through to county augberges, villas, often with private pools, and many privately owned gites for self catering. Whatever your choice or budget you are sure to find something to suit you. You are assured on a warm welcome and a memorable holiday.
The Departments
The department of Alpes-de-Haute-Provence has endless opportunities for outdoor pursuits. It has eleven ski resorts to choose from in winter and many lakes and rivers for watersports. The mountains are a haven for walkers, climbers, canoeing and more adventurous sports like hang gliding. There are several medieval market towns to visit and explore together with many sites of historic and cultural interest. In season the lavender fields are glorious.
The Parc National des Ecrins, in the Haute-Alpes, is a haven for many rare species of flora and fauna. There are many hidden villages and spectacular scenery. Briancon, the highest town in Europe is capital of the department and is well worth a visit to explore the ancient streets. There are miles of hiking trails of all levels of difficulty and many horse riding trails. All outdoor pursuits are available. There are many sites of architectural and historic interest.
The Alpes-Maritime is where the mountains meet the sea, creating some of the most stunning scenery to be found anywhere. The coast is very built up with many fashionable resorts catering for everyone along its' beaches. Inland it is much quieter with small villages where life still moves at a traditional pace and peace and quiet are guaranteed. The city of Nice is the department capital and is an international city with several flights a day to the UK and excellent travel links with the rest of France. At the east of the department is Monaco, the tax haven, where the Formula 1 Grand Prix is held each year and is home to many celebrities.
A significant feature of the department of Bouche-du-Rhone is the Camargue wetlands where the river meets the sea. This is home to white horses, pink flamingos and black bulls, all wild. It is a fascinating place to visit and guided tours and boat hire are available. Also on the coast is the city of Marseille, second city of France, and a major international port with shops, hotels and restaurants in abundance. The city of Aix en Provence should be on the visit list, it is a very attractive place with many museums and galleries.
The Var is, in the main, a tranquil peaceful place. There are vast vineyards which offer guided tours and tastings and, of course, the opportunity to buy! On the coast there are miles of sandy beaches which are less busy than those in the Alpes Maritime. The main city is St. Tropez which is a glitzy resort where the fashionable go to be seen. The marina is full of "gin palace" type yachts! There are many Roman ruins and other interesting places to visit.
Vaucluse is the final department of this region. Much of it dates back to Roman times and there are many sites of interest to visit. The department is paradise for Provencal produce, with many fields of herbs and lavender. The Saturday truffle market, from December to April in Richerenches is a must for a visit. There are easy links to the UK and the rest of France via the coastal ports, airports and TGV connections.
This huge region offers a vast array of landscape, architecture, activities, cultureand climate. The scenery is very varied, from high mountain peaks to the marshes of the Camargue and everthing in between, but always stunning. Thereare large fashionable cosmopolitan cities, and tiny hidden villages.
Thereare beaches and cliffs, vineyards and arable land, lavender and olives. Thereare fascinating cathedrals and museums and wonderful shopping, bars, restaurantsand hotels. Local culinary specialities abound. There are too many acitivitiesto list them all. If you want to do it, it can be done in this region.In short there is something for everyone here.
Accommodation ranges from luxury hotels, through small town hotels and bed and breakfast establishments through to county augberges, villas, often with private pools, and many privately owned gites for self catering. Whatever your choice or budget you are sure to find something to suit you. You are assured on a warm welcome and a memorable holiday.The Departments
The department of Alpes-de-Haute-Provence has endless opportunities for outdoor pursuits. It has eleven ski resorts to choose from in winter and many lakes and rivers for watersports. The mountains are a haven for walkers, climbers, canoeing and more adventurous sports like hang gliding. There are several medieval market towns to visit and explore together with many sites of historic and cultural interest. In season the lavender fields are glorious.
The Parc National des Ecrins, in the Haute-Alpes, is a haven for many rare species of flora and fauna. There are many hidden villages and spectacular scenery. Briancon, the highest town in Europe is capital of the department and is well worth a visit to explore the ancient streets. There are miles of hiking trails of all levels of difficulty and many horse riding trails. All outdoor pursuits are available. There are many sites of architectural and historic interest.
The Alpes-Maritime is where the mountains meet the sea, creating some of the most stunning scenery to be found anywhere. The coast is very built up with many fashionable resorts catering for everyone along its' beaches. Inland it is much quieter with small villages where life still moves at a traditional pace and peace and quiet are guaranteed. The city of Nice is the department capital and is an international city with several flights a day to the UK and excellent travel links with the rest of France. At the east of the department is Monaco, the tax haven, where the Formula 1 Grand Prix is held each year and is home to many celebrities.
A significant feature of the department of Bouche-du-Rhone is the Camargue wetlands where the river meets the sea. This is home to white horses, pink flamingos and black bulls, all wild. It is a fascinating place to visit and guided tours and boat hire are available. Also on the coast is the city of Marseille, second city of France, and a major international port with shops, hotels and restaurants in abundance. The city of Aix en Provence should be on the visit list, it is a very attractive place with many museums and galleries.The Var is, in the main, a tranquil peaceful place. There are vast vineyards which offer guided tours and tastings and, of course, the opportunity to buy! On the coast there are miles of sandy beaches which are less busy than those in the Alpes Maritime. The main city is St. Tropez which is a glitzy resort where the fashionable go to be seen. The marina is full of "gin palace" type yachts! There are many Roman ruins and other interesting places to visit.
Vaucluse is the final department of this region. Much of it dates back to Roman times and there are many sites of interest to visit. The department is paradise for Provencal produce, with many fields of herbs and lavender. The Saturday truffle market, from December to April in Richerenches is a must for a visit. There are easy links to the UK and the rest of France via the coastal ports, airports and TGV connections.