Provence-Alpes-Côte d’Azur is a luxurious region attracting celebrities and sunbathers. The renowned Cannes Film Festival, opulent resort towns and quaint historic centers make this area famous.
Learn about blended cultures in the metropolis of Marseille for a deeper understanding of France. The country’s second-largest city is split into arrondissements, much like Paris. Visit the quaint Vieux Port (Old Port of Marseille), over which the magnificent Fort Saint-Jean looms. Marvel at the intricate façades of the cathedrals La Major and Notre-Dame du Mont. See the city’s renowned limestone cliffs and inlets in Calanques National Park.
A little north is the charming fortified town of Avignon. Wander within the Avignon City Walls and visit the Avignon Cathedral. Tour the Palais des Papes and traverse the four remaining arches of the famous medieval Pont d’Avignon. Wander through the quaint cobbled streets of neighboring Aix-en-Provence and learn about one of France’s greatest artists at Atelier de Cézanne.
Travel east to the port town of Toulon and then Saint-Tropez, where the rich and famous sunbathe. Continue to reach Cannes, Antibes and the hilltop pottery-producing commune of Biot. Nice is famous for its artists, museums and coastal paths, notably the Promenade des Anglais and the Quai des États Unis.
Farther north are ski destinations, including Vars-Risoul, Serre Chevalier and Montgenèvre in the Alpes du Sud region.
Indulge yourself with the array of cheeses, wines and olives from this flourishing region.
Expect sunny, hot summers on the Côte d’Azur with mild to cold winters. In spring experience the fascinating mistral winds. Higher altitudes in the Alpes-de-Haute-Provence bring stormy summers and freezing winters.
This picturesque region runs from the Italian border west to the Rhône River and from the Mediterranean Sea to the French Alps. Fly to Nice Côte d’Azur International Airport or Marseille Provence Airport and get around the area by rental car or train.
Provence-Alpes-Côte d’Azur is the perfect blend of beaches, ski resorts and quaint villages with historical appeal.
