Provence - Côte d'Azur

ALPES-MARITIMES- Département 06

The magic of the Côte d'Azur lies in its rich contrasts. You can go from sun-drenched beaches along the coast to the snow-capped Mercantour peaks in less than an hour. If it weren't for the Nice hills which rise sheer from the sea, you might forget that the Alpes-Maritimes département was primarily mountainous. The Côte d'Azur will enchant you, just as it has artists from all over the world. All have sung the praises of its pure light, exuberant vegetation and the peppery bouquet of fragrances and warm evenings.

TOWNS: Nice, Grasse. MONTE-CARLO.

VAR- Département 83

Relax but don't close your eyes. Take in the ochre façades, traditional houses and the deep violet lavender, the expansive bright blue sky and the ink-black shadow, cool to the touch. Listen to the silent forests, the voices slightly muffled by the heat, the cicadas and the rushing waves. Now touch the red, flowing earth. Rub the hot, elusive sand between your fingers. Breathe in the resin and the sea spray, taste the olives and wine and let the conversation flow. Do you now feel at peace with yourself? You're in the Var, that's all.

TOWNS: Toulon, Draguignan, Brignoles.

BOUCHES-DU-RHÔNE- Département 13

The Bouches-du-Rhône département has many facets. There is the Provence of markets and châteaux, the Provence of small village squares with restful plane trees and the Provence of carved façades. There is also Mediterranean Provence with the variety of pleasures the coast has to offer and the rocky inlets. There is Camargue, a land of basins, marshes and shallow lagoons, inhabited by bulls, horses and flamingos. Not to mention the towns and cities steeped in art and history. A mosaic of colours and fragrances.

TOWNS: Marseille, Arles, Aix-en-Provence, Istres.

VAUCLUSE- Département 84

The Vaucluse offers villages perched in the Lubéron hills, Roman ruins and a thousand and one treasures. It is a land of sun and water with abundant nature, fertile land and friendly people. Visit the local markets and enjoy the olfactory pleasures of their bouquets of fragrances, olive, thyme and lavender - or make an early start and go looking for truffles with a pick to help you. Join in the glorious farandole of wine and sun: Gigondas, Vacqueyras or Châteauneuf-du-Pape. Enjoy the festivities, which range from Christmas traditions to cultural events in the summer, the highlight of which is the Avignon Festival.

TOWNS: Avignon, Carpentras, Apt.

HAUTES-ALPES- Département 05

From Provençal lavender fields to the perennially snow-capped Massif des Ecrins, the Hautes-Alpes département is steeped in abundant, untouched nature. Gîtes de France offer you the charm of a holiday home in natural, authentic surroundings and an ideal opportunity to mix with the local crowd.

TOWNS: Gap, Briançon.

ALPES-DE-HAUTE-PROVENCE- Département 04

Accross the Mercantour National Park, or the regional parks of the Verdon and Luberon you can admire the protected countryside and discover authentic sights both in summer and winter. Following rivers like the Ubaye, the Durance and the Verdon you can practise all the water sports: rafting, fishing or simply bathing in the lakes of Serre Ponçon or Ste Croix.

You can't leave without having tasted the specialities of the region, the truffles, the olive oil, the mushrooms or the Sisteron lamb.

TOWNS: Digne-les-Bains, Barcelonnette, Forcalquier, Castellane.