The Provence Alpes Côte d’Azur region of France
January 31, 2008
The area Provence Alpes Côte d’Azur is located in the south of France, between the Rhone Alpes area at the north, Languedoc Roussillon in the west, Italy in the east and the Mediterranean Sea to the south. The seventh largest region of France in terms of surface with 31,400 km2, it is in third place in terms of population, with 4,506,151 inhabitants
This administrative area contains 963 towns whose prefecture is Marseille, and is divided into 6 departments: Alpes-de-Haute-Provence (04), les Alpes-Maritimes (06), les Bouches-du-Rhône (13), les Hautes-Alpes (05), le Var (83) et le Vaucluse (84).
In addition to the beauty of its Provencal landscapes, the inspiration of many famous artists such as Van Gogh, Cézanne, Matisse and Picasso, Provence Alpes Côte d’Azur bears witness to a remarkable historical heritage. In fact, many sites of artistic, religious or historic value have been built in the Provence Alpes Côte d’Azur region through the centuries. The ramparts, forts and citadels, like the fortifications in the valley of Ubaye or on the roads of Toulon, go back to past invasions. Cities such as Frejus, Vaison-La-Romaine and Orange were important Roman cities, as was Arles, whose principal monuments are classified by UNESCO. But these history-laden cities don’t feel like dusty relics of the past. Festivals in Tarasque and le Bravade celebrate a great cultural heritage; many museums pay homage to the fabulous artists for whom the area held such fascination (the Matisse Museum and the Musée Picasso in Antibes are only two); and other varied and internationally recognized festivals testify to a rich cultural life (the festival of Avignon, the international festival of lyric art in Aix in Provence, of Jazz in Juan, of dance in Chateauvallon for example.)
La Provence Alpes Côte d’Azur is characterized, as its name suggests, by contrasting identities and landscapes, united by a Latin and Mediterranean Provencal culture, and a temperate, sunlit climate which makes it among the favorite destinations of tourists.
Provence, first of all, with its azure skies, chirping cicadas, its perfume of lavender, its people with their mellifluous accent, recall the world of Pagnol and evokes the good life in the shade. Of course the star of Provence is its lavender which magically colors the landscape, and more exactly the lavandin, known for its health virtues and its uplifting scent, but olive-trees and the vineyards hold their place too. Indeed, the pride of Provence’s gastronomic world, the local red, rose or white wines, are varied enough to suit all palates, Côtes du Rhône, Vins de Baux and Côtes de Provence being among the best-known.
But another face of Provence is Argens, known as also “Green Provence”, with its luxuriant vegetation. Skirting the river, this part of the back country is full of refreshing cascades like the Gorges du Vallon Sourn, fountains and bridges.
Lastly, Provence extends to the west and changes into a marsh at the delta of the Rhone: the Camargue. This area, known for its bull breeding and sprinkled with unspoiled ponds is a favorite place for trail rides on horseback.
Next, the Alps, and more specifically the south-eastern end of the alpine arc, are located less than two hours from the sea. With all its diversity of fauna and flora, these mountains of which the highest summit is 4102 m (la Barre des Ecrins) are ideal for many activities year-round. Aerial sports and water sports like canyoning and rafting there are widely practiced here, as is climbing and skiing in winter.
Hiking is also hugely popular here, and Provence Alpes Côte d’Azur has the best in the area with more than 4000 km OF marked out trails. Nature is well-protected, with reserve areas and national and regional parks (examples include the Parc national des Ecrins, Parc naturel Régional de Queyras, Réserve géologique de Haute Provence, and the Parc National du Mercantour). These allow hikers and the nature enthusiast to observe local fauna such as the wolf. Nature is celebrated in all its glory in the many gardens which blossom all over La Provence Alpes Côte d’Azur, such as the jardin du pavillon Vendôme and the jardin ethno-botanique du Prieuré de Salagon. In addition, it should be noted that the Lubéron, a paradise for long walks, is a classified by UNESCO as a world biosphere reserve.
The Côte d’Azur or Riviera, finally, contains the majority of the area’s population and it is this Mediterranean coastline that attracts the most French tourists as well as foreigners visiting France. Here, a feast for the eyes is guaranteed with one view more sublimes than the other (for example: the cliffs of Cassis and Marseille, the red rocks of l’Esterels, les creeks).
With its beaches of fine sand interspersed with small, intimate coves in craggy hollows, many delightful activities abound: lazing the day away in Saint Tropez, boating and other nautical activities in Hyères with deep-sea diving in the dazzling sites of the île ed Riou and the île ed Planier.
Moreover the charm of the East coast is punctuated by its islands, accessible thanks to water shuttles. The best-known are Porquerolles and Port-Cros, much admired for their splendid beaches, their shaded paths and their underwater sites. The île du Levant is remarkable for its natural beauty. . The most glittering cities of the coastline of the Côte d’Azur are Cannes, Saint Tropez and Nice which, with Marseilles and Toulon, form one of the four major urban poles of the region, the fourth being Avignon in the Rhone valley.
Land of brilliant light, vineyards and olive-trees, the Provence Côte d’Azur region evokes the art of living well and a palette of highly colored landscapes which still inspire artists and tourists alike.
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