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Provence Alpes Cote d’Azur

Its name might be a bit difficult to wrap your tongue around, but the French region of Provence-Alpes-Côte d’Azur is one of the country’s most popular for holidays and short breaks. Cities within the region include Nice, Marseille and Toulon, with all three being popular choices for short breaks and longer holidays on the South Coast of France. Gites and self catering cottages in this region give you access to an extensive variety of landmarks and attractions, from world-class museums to designer retail outlets. In total there are six departments, with each having its own unique appeal.

The department of Alpes-de-Haute-Provence has an incredible mountain landscape featuring remote villages and top European ski destinations. The summers are hot, and the winters are cold, making it a favourite destination for summer hikers and climbers and for winter snow-sport enthusiasts. Paragliding is a popular activity, and down on the ground are restaurants serving authentic French cuisine. Attractions range from the ancient citadel in the old town of Sisteron, to the Gorge of Verdon which is considered by many to be Europe’s answer to the Grand Canyon.

In the coastal department of Alpes-Maritimes you’ll find the famous city of Nice, and a varied landscape including towering mountains and clean Mediterranean beaches. The city of Cannes plays host to the annual Cannes Film Festival, one of the world’s most prestigious events, and there are dozens of other smaller festivals that have led Alpes-Maritimes to be amongst the most culturally significant French departments. The Museum of Modern and Contemporary Art, and the Picasso Museum, add further weight to that label.

The department appeals to creative people, beach-lovers, skiers and hikers, meaning that gites and cottages throughout Alpes-Maritimes are in high demand. You’ll find few places more breathtakingly beautiful than the Mercantour National Park, where you can hike with a donkey as your companion, and family attractions range from the Alpha Wolf Park to the Butterfly Museum to entertain even the youngest traveller.

Bouches-du-Rhône is the French department containing the city of Marseilles. It has mountains, beaches, and impressive attractions such as Fort Saint-Jean and the Arles Amphitheatre. From the unforgettable magic of the Carrières de Lumières to some of the best dive spots on the French coast, there really is something for everyone. Birdwatchers will love Le Parc Ornithologique de Pont de Gau, which is home to beautiful birds including flocks of flamingos, and at the Zoo de La Barben there are plenty more animals to see.

If you love horses, then why not use your visit to Bouches-du-Rhône as an opportunity to go horse-riding through the countryside? Alternatively, sit back and relax as you watch your favourite animals perform at the dramatic Théâtre Equestre Camarkas. In the department of Bouches-du-Rhône, everything is a wonder to behold.

In the Hautes-Alpes department, you’ll see some magnificent mountain scenes. This department comes alive during the winter months, when visitors flock to La Meije and to the surrounding ski resorts including the mountain village of La Grave. The emphasis here is on outdoor adventures, with activities including climbing, gliding, sailing, hiking and cycling taking centre stage in the summer. You might be lucky enough to see the Tour de France as racers ride through Hautes-Alpes. Rafting, dog sledding and snowboarding are other ways to spend your time, and you won’t want to miss your chance to ride the Luge Monty Express.

If you’re staying in Var, you’ll get to enjoy some of the best beach resorts in France. The most famous is Saint-Tropez, with its harbour and impressive stone citadel. A warm, dry Mediterranean climate is guaranteed to appeal to sun-seekers and the shops, museums and restaurants of the city of Toulon provide even more reasons to visit. Other Var attractions include the department’s wonderful vineyards, and the underground wine caves in which wines are left to age.

If you’re looking for natural beauty and deep azure waters, then you can’t do better than the Iles d’Hyeres. Meanwhile Zoo Sanary is amongst the best child-friendly attractions with its well-kept animals and its colourful tropical gardens. Whether you hike, go on a boat tour or use your bike to get around, you’ll want your camera by your side to capture what you see.

The department of Vaucluse takes its name from the famous spring, the Fontaine-de-Vaucluse at the foot of the Vaucluse Mountains. It’s a department of rivers and valleys, picturesque hiking trails and lovely little mountain villages. The village of Gordes is considered to be one of the country’s most beautiful, and is well worth a visit for its vineyards and markets, whilst other French communities offer an equally warm welcome and an authentic local experience. Attractions in Vaucluse include the awe-inspiring Pope’s Palace, which looks particularly magical during Les Luminessences D’Avignon through late August and September, and Le Sentier des Ocres with its sunset-red cliffs. The memories you make whilst touring Vaucluse will be sure to last a lifetime.

Areas of Provence Alpes Cote d’Azur

Alpes de Haute Provence
The department of Alpes-de-Haute-Provence has an incredible mountain landscape featuring remote villages and top European ski destinations. The summers are hot, and the winters are cold

Bouches-du-Rhône
Bouches-du-Rhône is the French department containing the city of Marseilles. It has mountains, beaches, and impressive attractions such as Fort Saint-Jean and the Arles Amphitheatre. From the unforgettable magic of the Carrières de Lumières to some of the best dive spots on the French coast.

Var
If you're staying in Var, you'll get to enjoy some of the best beach resorts in France. The most famous is Saint-Tropez, with its harbour and impressive stone citadel.

Vaucluse
The department of Vaucluse takes its name from the famous spring, the Fontaine-de-Vaucluse at the foot of the Vaucluse Mountains. It's a department of rivers and valleys, picturesque hiking trails and lovely little mountain villages

Alpes Maritimes
In the coastal department of Alpes-Maritimes you'll find the famous city of Nice, and a varied landscape including towering mountains and clean Mediterranean beaches. The city of Cannes plays host to the annual Cannes Film Festival.

Hautes Alpes
In the Hautes-Alpes department, you'll see some magnificent mountain scenes. This department comes alive during the winter months, when visitors flock to La Meije and to the surrounding ski resorts including the mountain village of La Grave.