Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur: A journey through lavender fields, ski slopes and crystal-clear sea

Visits :

This region, rich in history and culture, bears witness to its highly artistic past. There are dozens of major towns to visit, hundreds of villages to discover and thousands of landscapes to admire. Several towns in the region offer City Passes, which allow you to combine visits at a lower cost.

Best time of year:

If you're looking for sunshine, you've come to the right place: Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur is the sunniest region in France! Rain is very rare, making the region attractive all year round. To make the most of the beaches and visits on the Côte d'Azur and in Provence, it' s best to visit in spring and autumn, so as not to suffer too much from the summer heat. The Alps welcome you in winter to ski down the slopes and try your hand at winter sports, but also in summer for a cool break away from the crowds. The Gorges du Verdon and other watering holes will also help you cope with the high-season temperatures.

Safety :

It's true that we sometimes hear a lot about the Provence-Alpes Côte d'Azur region, particularly Marseille. However, the region is very safe, and the atmosphere in the city of Marseille is far removed from what the media have long portrayed. In the city, in Marseille or elsewhere, stay in the centre and in the tourist areas, mind your own business, and you should be fine. On the other hand, beware of scams: what looks authentic is not always the most ethical. It's not uncommon to come across dishonest producers (in name only) on the markets who, come summer, have no hesitation in selling tourists products that claim to be artisanal, local or from Provence, but whose provenance is anything but regional.

What can you eat?

A symphony of colours, smells and flavours, Provençal cuisine alone is worth the trip. A variety of vegetables, olives and oil, condiments, herbs and anchovies are the predominant notes in this cuisine. These include ratatouille, tapenade, rouille, aïoli, soupe au pistou and salade niçoise, to name but a few. Meat and charcuterie specialities (Provençal-style lamb or rabbit chops, stuffings), not forgetting fish dishes (bouillabaisse, bourride), have become the culinary milestones on the road to appreciating the art of living in Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur. When it comes to desserts, the region is equally well endowed, with honey and jam from the mountains, calissons from Aix, berlingots from Carpentras, candied fruit from Apt, and 'câlins' and cakes from Saint-Tropez. As for pastis and appellation wines (Châteauneuf-du-Pape, Côtes-de-Provence, Rasteau, Bandol), these should be drunk in moderation...

What to take home

You can buy Provençal tablecloths and fabrics to bring the colours of Provence into your home. Marseille soap and lavender sachets will also remind you of the smell of the south. For the epicureans, don't forget to bring back black and white nougat, calissons d'Aix, tapenade, Provencal herbs and olive oil. And if you're a wine lover, don't hesitate to bring back bottles of Provençal wine.