Where to go in Provence
Map
List of regions
Toulon is where Provence and the French Riviera meet, and has traditionally been a transit point between the two, with excellent rail and ferry connections. Recently however, this hitherto overlooked naval port has taken advantage of its incredible position and surrounding natural beauty to become …
It's hard to imagine Cannes as a small fishing village now, yet that is precisely what it once was. The city is now defined by its International Film Festival, when it sparkles harder than ever due to the flurry of camera flashes and shiny lip-gloss and glittering awards ceremonies.
Avignon is the place that the Popes chose as their new home when fleeing from a corrupt Rome in the 14th century. They chose well - an elevated position by the River Rhône with views over glorious Provençal countryside.
Marseille, at 2,600 years, is France's oldest city. It's also one of France's most exciting cities. It has the excitement that old port cities have, that comes from being open to myriad cultural influences, and those show to this day in Marseille, particularly in the Algerian bazaars.
Aix could not be prettier. Perhaps the most attractive town in all of Provence to look at, every turn around every corner leads to a feast for the eyes. Wide boulevards lined with plane trees, sun-dappled public squares with fountains - in fact there are mossy fountains everywhere, Aix is famous fo…
Nice, the seductive capital of the Côte d'Azur is more often than not drenched in sunshine, and life is more or less lived on the beaches lining a sparkling Mediterranean. The Baie des Anges, or Bay of Angels, is a busy as well as beautiful one, with water-skiers and boats leaving their bubbled wak…