Provence, a stunning region in southern France


Provence

a stunning region in southern France


Lavender field Provence

Ancient market towns, coastal scenery, beautiful mountains, fields filled with glorious lavender, vineyards and good cuisine.

Well, this region is all these things and more.

It’s a stunning part of southern France, attracting visitors in their droves ever since Roman times.

Artists, writers, the rich and famous, and typical holidaymakers have all found a fabulous atmosphere, great weather, and hospitality.

Where is Provence?

It is no longer one of the provinces of France; it’s a geographical region and was historically a province.

It was the first Roman province beyond the Alps as they made their way further west into Europe.

Today the boundaries mostly correspond with the modern-day region of Provence-Alpes-Cote d’Azur, and it spans a distance from the Mediterranean coast – where it includes the attractive French Riviera – inland to the mountains of the Alps.

The region has been a part of France for over 500 years. Yet, it still keeps its own cultural and language differences, including a varied cuisine that blends Mediterranean and seafood.

Weather and climate

With such a variety of elevations – the low-lying coastal regions, to the Alps mountains – the weather can be quite different from one area to the next.

Along the coast, there’s a lovely Mediterranean climate with mild weather all year round, including hot and relatively dry summers, with calm and damp winters.

The Mistral winds are a distinctive feature of Provence’s climate – it’s a cold and dry wind that mostly blows during the winter.

Up in the higher mountains, the climate changes to Alpine with plenty of snow and colder temperatures – there are some excellent ski resorts to try if you enjoy skiing.



nice-seafront310

Popular Towns and Cities

You will find many of the country’s finest towns and cities here.

The French Riviera includes the upscale and luxurious resort towns of  Nice,  St Tropez,  and Cannes,  while further west along the coast, Toulon and Marseille.

Inland, the scenery and the culture change as you rise to more significant elevations heading into the mountains; towns like Aix-en-Provence and Avignon are popular, as is the beautiful hillside town of Gordes.

Saint-Paul de Vence is also a beautiful village attracting artists from all over the world.

The Wine and Cuisine

One of the things that Provence is best known for is its wine and cuisine.

Wines have been produced here since the Phocaeans settled around 600BC.

Wines have been abundant in the centuries, but they have not always been perfect.

Low-quality varieties have been removed, and the vineyards are now producing much more delicate wines, many of which are rosés.

Choose a good glass of wine to accompany your meal when you’re staying in Provence.

The cuisine here does have a heavy Mediterranean influence with abundant vegetables, and on the coast, seafood is good.

ratatouille310

Try a traditional ratatouille (picture above) with some conventional bread of Provence, called Fougasse, or a traditional provencal stew, called Daube.

In Marseille, the classic seafood dish is Bouillabaisse, made with three main fish and many others added.

The dish is heavily seasoned, and many dishes will incorporate the well-known mixture of dried herbs, Herbes de Provence.

Things to do in Provence
More from France

cully jazz festival

Cully Jazz Festival in Switzerland 14 – 22 April 2023

One of Switzerland's most prominent jazz festivals, the Cully Jazz Festival, retains its intimate, welcoming, and charming atmosphere.
March 28, 2023/by Roger

Borefts Beer Festival Bodegraven, Netherlands 22 – 23 Sept. 2023

Borefts Beer Festival is a celebration of local and international fine craft beer. It takes place in beautiful Bodegraven, the Netherlands.
March 24, 2023/by Roger

Aarhus Food Festival in Denmark 1 – 3 September 2023

Good food in Denmark’s second-largest city, the Aarhus food festival, is considered the largest food festival in Denmark and Northern Europe.
March 24, 2023/by Roger
chianti wine festival, Italy

Chianti Classico Wine Festival, Italy 7 – 10 September 2023

Chianti Classico Wine Festival takes place in September every year in Greve in Chianti, Italy.
March 24, 2023/by Roger

Brussels Comic Strip Festival, 8 – 10 September 2023

For all comic strip fans, this festival in Brussels is for experts and amateurs, young and old — something for anyone curious about the art.
March 24, 2023/by Roger
DGTL Festival Amsterdam

DGTL Electronic Music Festival, Amsterdam 7 – 9 April 2023

DGTL Festival is taking place in Amsterdam over a weekend in April 2023 with great electronic music.
March 24, 2023/by Roger
Medieval Festivals and Historical-Themed events in Europe

Medieval and Historical-Themed Festivals in Europe

Here you will find some of the best historical-themed events and medieval festivals in Europe.
March 20, 2023/by Roger

Swing, Blues, Bluegrass and Jazz Festivals in Europe

Some of the most popular Blues and Jazz festivals in Europe. Also, some excellent Swing and Bluegrass Festivals.
March 20, 2023/by Roger
Fira del Vi - Wine festival in Falset, Spain

La Fira del Vi – Wine Festival in Falset, Spain 28 April – 1 May 2023

Fira del Vi is a weekend of wine tastings, fabulous food and great music. In the charming town of Falset, Spain, in April/May.
March 20, 2023/by Roger
budapest wine festival

Budapest Wine Festival, Hungary, 7 – 10 September 2023

Budapest International Wine Festival - one of Europe's most beautiful wine festivals that annually takes place in September.
March 14, 2023/by Roger
Load more


Upcoming Festivals in France

error: Content is protected !!