(by 2 people)
From sunny beach to mountain top village, Provence has it all! But Provence is not just about the jet-set at St Tropez or medieval villages perched on hill tops.
Stretching from the Rhône river in the west, and the marshlands of the Camargue, along the Mediterranean Sea via the port of Marseille, across the mountains of the Luberon, its eastern edge ends with the Côte d'Azur or French Riviera, and its playgrounds of the rich: Monaco, Cannes and Nice.
For most of the year Provence is bathed in a glorious sunshine with an intensity of light unknown in other parts of France.
Under this sun live the cowboys and flamingos of the Camargue, the lavender covered hills of the Luberon, the spectacular Gorges d'Ardèche, the vineyards of the Châteauneuf du Pape, fishing villages and the bustling port of Marseille, the Papal Palace of Avignon, the towering 1909 metre high Mount Ventoux, as well as the bikini clad tourists of the beaches of the Riviera.
Many Provençal towns and cities date from at least Roman times, offering a wide array of cultural treasures such as Roman theatres still in use, medieval fortifications and walls, as well as more modern offerings such as art museums and galleries.
History
The origins of Provence are ancient and certainly predate those of France
The earliest traces of civilisation are found in rock scratchings in Monaco from 1 million years ago. Areas around Nice were inhabited as early as 400,000 BC. During the Middle Palaeolithic period Neanderthal hunters occupied the coast with modern man following round 30,000 BC. Cave drawings in the Grotte Cosquer date from around 20,000 BC. During the Stone Age, the land was cultivated by the Ligurians who built stone bories (huts) around 3,500 BC at Gordes.The Greeks colonised the region around 600 BC establishing trading posts at Massilia (Marseille), Antipolis (Antibes), Olbia (Hyères), Nikaia (Nice) and Galum (St Rémy-de-Provence), bringing olives and grapes with them. At the same time Celts inhabited the northern parts. In 125 BC the Romans came to the aid of the Greeks against the Celto-Ligurians at Massilia and led to the creation of the Provincia Gallia Transalpina, which was the first Roman province, from which the name Provence is derived.
The province was soon renamed Provincia Narbonensis with its capital at Narbonne, and in 122 BC the Roamns destroyed the capital of the Ligurians, Entremont, and built Aquae Sextiae Salluvorium (Aix-en-Provence) in its place. Roads were built, and amphitheatres, arches amd aqueducts were built linking Fréjus, Aix, Arles, Nîmes, Orange, Apt, Cavaillon, Carpentras and Vaison-la-Romaine.
Christianity came to Provence, legend saying that Mary Magdalene, Mary Jacob and Mary Salome landed at Saintes Maries de la Mer in 40 AD.
After the collapse of the Roman empire in 476, Provence suffered a multitude of invasions by Goths and Saracens, and villagers took refuge in the hills, and many of Provence's hill-top villages date from this era.
In 1032 Provence joined the Holy Roman Empire, but the region'prosperity grew when in 1309 the Pope Clement V moved the papal headquarters from Rome to Avignon. Until 1376 nine pontiffs ruled from Avignon. In 1486 Provence was incorporated into France, although Nice and surroundng region did not become part of France until 1860.
That marked the start of tourism on the Côte d'Azur, and royalty led the way for the avant garde scene of the 20's and 30's. During WWII, Provence was under Vichy rule, until it was invaded by Germany in 1942 and liberated following invasions on the south coast.
The first international film festival was held in Cannes in 1946 and that heralded a return to 'normal life' on the Côte d'Azur, and tourism grew rapidly.
History Links
Links to some historical sites for Provence
- History & Language of Provence
- A series of pages from Discover France on Provençal history and language.
- Provence History Highlights
- Highlights of the history of Provence from Beyond France.
- Wikipedia
- The Wikipedia site on Provence, and it's history.
- answers.com
- Articles from several sources on Provence.
Geography
The region has a wide variety of geographical features
Provence and the Côte d'Azur (French Riviera) cover an area of 25,851 sq km (9978 sq miles) in the south eastern corner of France. It's western border is the Rhône river to just north of Orange, down to the Camargue, a wetland salt marsh and regional park.
It continues eastwards along the coast to Marseille, and then for another 170km to Menton and the border with Italy. The northern limits are several mountain chains and the Durance river.
The Camargue is in fact the delta of the Rhône, an alluvial plain covering some 1400 sq km, and very popular with tourists and wildlife observers. It is a triangle between Arles in the north, Aigues-Mortes in the west, and the industrial Fos in the east. It sits between the Grand Rhône to the east and the Petit Rhône to the west.
The Crau plain, Europe's remaining steppe, is the ancient delta of the Durance river, an effluent of the Rhône which it meets south of Avignon.
The blue waters of the Mediterranean run along the entire southern boundary of Provence, and include Les Calanques, a spectacular range of calcareous rocks almost like small fjords, just east of Marseille - and containing France's largest cliff (406m) at Cap Canaille - to the beaches of the Côte d'Azur. There are a multitude of small islands just offshore.
Inland on the east, the coast is separated from the interior of France by three mountain ranges: the foothills of the Alps, the limestone Massif des Maures, and the red volcanic Massif de l'Esteral.
Provence's interior begins in the west with the relatively flat flood plain of the Rhône, and continues with various small chains that get larger the farther north you go, starting with La Montagnette, Les Alpilles (800m), the rugged Lubéron range, Montagne Ste-Victoire dominating Aix-en-Provence, the Ste Baume and lavender covered Vaucuse hills, leading to the 1912m high Mont Ventoux and the foothills of the Alps.
East of the Lubéron are the Gorges du Verdon, containing Europe's largest and most spectacular canyon.
The largest city in Provence is Marseille (pop 807,100 rising to 1.1 million for the metropolitan area), followed in size by Nice (pop 345,900), the military port of Toulon (pop 166,500), Avignon (pop 88,300), and Arles (France's largest commune by area, pop 54,614).
It continues eastwards along the coast to Marseille, and then for another 170km to Menton and the border with Italy. The northern limits are several mountain chains and the Durance river.
The Camargue is in fact the delta of the Rhône, an alluvial plain covering some 1400 sq km, and very popular with tourists and wildlife observers. It is a triangle between Arles in the north, Aigues-Mortes in the west, and the industrial Fos in the east. It sits between the Grand Rhône to the east and the Petit Rhône to the west.
The Crau plain, Europe's remaining steppe, is the ancient delta of the Durance river, an effluent of the Rhône which it meets south of Avignon.
The blue waters of the Mediterranean run along the entire southern boundary of Provence, and include Les Calanques, a spectacular range of calcareous rocks almost like small fjords, just east of Marseille - and containing France's largest cliff (406m) at Cap Canaille - to the beaches of the Côte d'Azur. There are a multitude of small islands just offshore.
Inland on the east, the coast is separated from the interior of France by three mountain ranges: the foothills of the Alps, the limestone Massif des Maures, and the red volcanic Massif de l'Esteral.
Provence's interior begins in the west with the relatively flat flood plain of the Rhône, and continues with various small chains that get larger the farther north you go, starting with La Montagnette, Les Alpilles (800m), the rugged Lubéron range, Montagne Ste-Victoire dominating Aix-en-Provence, the Ste Baume and lavender covered Vaucuse hills, leading to the 1912m high Mont Ventoux and the foothills of the Alps.
East of the Lubéron are the Gorges du Verdon, containing Europe's largest and most spectacular canyon.
The largest city in Provence is Marseille (pop 807,100 rising to 1.1 million for the metropolitan area), followed in size by Nice (pop 345,900), the military port of Toulon (pop 166,500), Avignon (pop 88,300), and Arles (France's largest commune by area, pop 54,614).
10 Towns to See
You'll have fun exploring...
Ten of the best towns and cities in Provence to visit:
- Aix-en-Provence - the city of fountains
- Apt - nestled in the hills of the Luberon
- Arles - Roman city
- Avignon - city of the Popes
- Les Baux-de-Provence - medieval fortress
- Marseille - the capital of Provence
- Nice - the heart of the Côte d'Azur
- Nîmes - another Roman city
- Orange - spectacular Roman arch
- St Rémy-de-Provence - Van Gogh territory
Provence Links - English
Links to general Provence sites in English
These are a few sites you can browse for more information on Provence, perhaps the most idyllic region in France.
- Provence Wikipedia
- The Wikipedia site on Provence, containing history, geography, climate, sights, culture and external links.
- Provence Web
- Touristic guide of Provence and French Riviera. 700 villages on 5,000 Web pages.
- Provence Beyond
- The web's leading English language source for travel in France, with maps, travel information, hotels, photos, and detailed sections on villages, gastronomy, wine, sports, trains, ... - from Beyond the French Riviera ®.
- Provence Alpes Tourisme International
- Events, special offers on tourism.
- Guide Web Provence
- Accommodation: hotels, bed and breakfast, vacation rentals, campsites... Leisure and activities: sports, theme stays, courses... Discovery: cities & villages, art & culture, tourist routes... Land and traditions: regional products, craft, gastronomy. Real estate: real estate agencies. Practical information.
- About Provence
- Place of the Month, accommodation, books, news, links.
- French Tourist Office - Provence
- Sunny, bright region of mountains and coastline. Quaint hilltop cities and fashionable, lively towns. Medieval fortresses and Roman ruins . Fields of flowers and lavender made famous by painters.
- AngloInfo Provence
- Life in Provence, in English!
- France Keys - Provence
- Helping you discover the keys to France.
- Camargue and Provence Tourist Information Office
- Discovering the terre de Camargue - the land of the Camargue.
- France For Families - Provence
- Provides a wealth of regional information - the best attractions, beaches, canoeing, caves, markets and restaurants.
- New York Times Travel
- Contacts and Resources.
- Regional Tourist Committee - PACA
- Regional Tourist Committee site for Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur (PACA).
- Via France
- The largest cultural and events database in France, covering festivals, carnivals, concerts, nights out, sporting events, trade fairs, performing arts and exhibitions.
- South France Guide
- Mostly property rentals but some other links too.
- Bouches-du-Rhône - Wikipedia
- Wikipedia entry for Bouches-du-Rhônes, Department number 13 in France.
- French Riviera - Côte d'Azur
- All of the Côte d'Azur (French Riviera) from Menton to St Tropez: Alps-Maritime, Var Departments and Monaco.
Provence Links - French
Links to general Provence sites in French only
These are mostly official French government or organisation sites, usually in French only eg Prefecture, Region, Department etc. Most can be roughly translated with an online translation service eg via Google. They are useful for anyone living in France rather than just visiting.
- Prefecture of Bouches-du-Rhône
- La Préfecture des Bouches-du-Rhône au service des Citoyens (The Prefecture of the Bouches-du-Rhône at the service of its citizens). In French only. The Prefecture is the place for identity cards, driving licences, car registrations, passports, foreigners and associations.
- Official PACA Region site
- In French only. Staring point for official stuff: Conseil Régional, Employment, Transport, Education, Youth, Economic Development, Sport, Culture, Agriculture, Tourism, Energy etc for the Region of Provence-Alpes-Cote d'Azur (PACA).
- Conseil Général du Bouches-du-Rhône
- Official French site for the Conseil General for the Department of the Bouches-du-Rhône (13).
- Annuaire des Bouches-du-Rhône
- Directory for the Department of the Bouches-du-Rhône.
Pictures of Provence
Soak up the flavour...
These photos are all taken by the Lensmaster, and are copyright 2006 Tony Spencer.
White Blossom
Sunflowers
Chapel St Sixte
Pots
Musee des Alpilles
Jane at Frigolet
Cyclist
Girls in Provençal...
Chantier Interdit
Cafe Les Vieux Gres
Roman Arch
Alley
Provence YouTube vids
Wines of Provence
From fragrant rosés to full bodied reds...
And where would Provence, or indeed any region of France, be without its local wines? This is just a small list of vineyards in Provence with web sites in English. Most of them require Flash.
- Domaines Bunan
- A group of several domains in Bandol including the Château La Rouvière. Details of the business, the domains, the wines. Practical information.
- Château Vannières
- Animated presentation and list of the wines of the domain in AOC Bandol.
- Château Sainte Marguerite
- AOC Côtes de Provence at La Londe les Maures. Presentation of the domain and its wines.
- Château Virant
- Visit the cellars and olive oil mill and sample the AOC wine and olive oil.
- Côtes de Provence
- Official site of the AOC Côtes de Provence. Very complete site with history, geography, economy, gastronomy and practical information on the appellation and also a photo library.
- Le Grand Cros
- Le Grand Cros is a family estate situated in the heart of AOC Côtes de Provence. With 24 ha in vines, the Faulkner family produce rosé, reds and whites as well as a sparkling rosé in the traditional champagne method.
- Château La Calisse
- AOC Coteaux Varois. About the chateau, it's wines and awards, recipes, order information.
- Domaine de La Vivonne
- Appellation Bandol. Presentation of the vineyard, it's history, production, and the wines.
- Château du Rouët
- Description of the terrain and of the wines from the appellation Côtes de Provence.
- Domaine du Château Vert
- Presentation on the production of award winning Côtes de Provence and vin de pays Maures.
- Domaine Saint André de Figuière
- Good technical descriptions of the different wines of the domain, in the AOC Côtes de Provence.
- Vins de Bellet
- Nice presentation of the vines producing the wines of the AOC Bellet at Nice.
- Château Barbanau
- Presentation of this domain in the AOC Côtes de provence and of the Clos Val Bruyere in AOC Cassis.
- Château Sainte Roseline
- AOC Côtes de Provence. History and presentation of the wines.
- Domaines Ott
- The Château de Selle and the Clos Mireille in the Côtes de Provence and the Château Romassan in AOC Bandol produces rosés, reds and whites.
- Château Romanin
- Wines from AOC Les Baux-de-Provence. Nestled at the foor of Les Alpilles mountains, discover the vineyard and its wines, its vintages and ordering through its shop.
- Mas Carlin
- Presentation on the local environnement and of the wine production in the AOC Les Baux-de-Provence. (French only).
- Domaine Sorin
- Presentation of the domain and its wines in the appellations Bandol, Côtes de Provence and vin de pays du Var.
- Domaine de la Sauveuse
- Complete presentation of the domain in the course of its conversion to organic agriculture and of its Côtes de Provence wines.
- Château Calissanne
- Full and nice presentation of the domain, its wines from the Coteaux d'Aix-en-Provence and its olive oil. Online shop.
- Château Beaulieu
- Presentation of the domain, situated in the only extinct volcano crater in Provence. Appellation Coteaux d'Aix-en-Provence.
- Château la Bougerelle
- The domain produces wines from the appellation Coteaux d'Aix-en-Provence and also extra virgin olive oil. Presentation of the domain and its people. Aix-en-Provence, Bouches-du-Rhône (13).
- Château Les Crostes
- History of the domain and easy presentation of its wines.
- Maison des vins du Bandol
- A syndicate of 28 growers who prduce wines from Bandol. Details of the wines.
- Château de Vaucouleurs
- History of the Château and presentation or its products from the foot of the Maures mountains.
- Domaine Castel des Maures
- Domain situated at Hyères in the French Riviera, with wines from the appellation Côtes de Provence.
Orbitz!
