| Provence is a former Roman province and | | | | partial cloud and showers. However, when |
| is now a region of south-eastern France, | | | | it rains it pours. Fortunately, the |
| located on the Mediterranean Sea | | | | showers are usually brief. Beware the |
| adjacent to France's border with Italy. | | | | Mistral wind, blowing down the Rhone |
| It is now part of the administrative | | | | Valley, which can rage for days! |
| region of Provence-Alpes-Cote d'Azur | | | | Summers can be very hot although evening |
| (PACA). The traditional region of | | | | temperatures will drop. A haze can |
| Provence includes the departments of | | | | persist in the early mornings but the |
| Var, Vaucluse, and Bouches-du-Rhone in | | | | sun quickly burns it away. There are |
| addition to parts of | | | | days of glorious sunshine. |
| Alpes-de-Haute-Provence and | | | | During Autumn (Fall), storms can spring |
| Alpes-Maritimes. | | | | up and be quite fierce in the mountains. |
| Provence Landscape | | | | Many days of sunshine with less haze and |
| The Riviera is bathed in blue - the blue | | | | pleasant temperatures. |
| of the sky and sea with its glamorous | | | | Along the coast Winters are mild, and |
| resorts Saint-Tropez, Cassis, Bormes | | | | the sun will be shining brightly still! |
| Mimosas, Saint Raphael, Nice and Cannes. | | | | Snow rarely falls at lower levels but |
| Inland features its perched villages, | | | | the mountains above 1500m will be |
| the Verdon Canyon, the Ventoux mount, | | | | covered during the middle of winter. |
| the Alpilles and further along the coast | | | | Getting there |
| the unique Camargue ( Arles, the Baux | | | | By Plane: The Provence region is well |
| de Provence, the Saintes Maries de la | | | | served by flights from the UK. |
| Mer) and its wild horses and flamingos. | | | | Marseilles is served by Air France, BA |
| The Luberon - made famous by Peter Mayle | | | | and Easyjet. Air France, BMI Baby, |
| - with its fields of lavenders, and | | | | EasyJet and BA to Nice. Ryan Air flies |
| architectural splendour of Avignon. | | | | into Toulon. |
| Provence Attractions | | | | By Car: There are Autoroutes into |
| When you tire of chilling out on the | | | | Provence from Calais: about 10-12 hours |
| beaches, walking in the fields of | | | | driving! We suggest avoiding the Paris |
| Lavender, exploring the wilds of the | | | | Peripherique route, and not to travel in |
| Luberon and Camargue, here are some | | | | August especially at weekends! |
| attractions to visit: | | | | TGV: The TGV (high speed rail service) |
| Palais des Papes (Pope's Palace), | | | | service is available to the South coast |
| Avignon | | | | via Paris from Calais (or Eurostar from |
| Avignon is a delight - full of surprises | | | | the UK). Arrives in Aix-en-Provence |
| - from the river and its Pont d'Avignon | | | | Provence population |
| to the fortified city with its massive | | | | About 4.5 million: the population is |
| Gothic palace, Palais des Papes, there | | | | concentrated along the coast. |
| are historic treasures to admire. | | | | Major Towns/Cities |
| Musee Matisse, Nice, Cote d'Azur | | | | Marseille (830,000 - including county |
| Surrounded by an olive garden, this | | | | 1,400,000) |
| museum has a collection of paintings | | | | Nice (350,000) |
| spanning Henri Matisse's life. | | | | Toulon (165,000) |
| Granet Museum (Musee Granet), | | | | Aix en Provence (135,000) |
| Aix-en-Provence | | | | Cannes (70,000) |
| This museum houses a collection of | | | | Provence Prices |
| French paintings from the 16th century | | | | This is one of the most expensive |
| onwards. It is named after the famous | | | | regions of France. In the chic locations |
| local painter Francois Granet. | | | | along the coast prices are high and |
| Atelier Cezanne, Aix-en-Provence | | | | there is demand for quality apartments |
| This is the studio of the famous painter | | | | and villas. Away from the coast, prices |
| Paul Cezanne. It has been preserved in | | | | drop substantially. Here you can enjoy |
| its original state. | | | | the benefits of rural France, yet be |
| Provence Weather | | | | within a short drive of the major |
| In the spring, the weather can be very | | | | resorts and towns along the coast. |
| changeable with sunny days mixed with | | | | |