Avignon

Apt

Beaumes-De-Venise

Fontaine de Vaucluse

Carpentras

Gordes

Bonnieux

Lacoste

Menerbes

Lourmarin

Chateauneuf-du-Pape

L’Isle-sur-la-Sorgue

Orange

Vaison-La-Romaine

Beloved by artists and film directors alike, the Luberon was immortalised by Peter Mayle in “a Year in Provence’. The films of Pagnol, “La Gloire de mon Père’ and ‘Le Château de ma Mère’ were made in the area whilst “Manon des Sources “and “Jean de Florette’ were filmed in Vaugines, Mirabeau and Ansouis and Van Gogh and Cézanne both painted here. The views are superb whether of the Mont Ventoux, the Dentelles de Montmirail or the lavender fields of the north. The Abbaye de Senanque, featured in many pictures surrounded by lavender, is one of the finest Romanesque Cistercian monasteries in France. Nearby is the Village des Bories with its small dry stone huts.

Richerenches, site of an important Saturday Truffle market from December to April, has a ‘Truffle Mass’ every January when a collection of truffles is taken to benefit the church. The annual truffle fair is attended by the greatest chefs from all of France. Garlic is celebrated in Piolenc and in Sault, every August for the past decade, there has been a lavender festival. There are cherry, melon and strawberry fairs elsewhere. The local markets extol the vibrant colours and heady fragrances of Provence, with the treasures yielded by the local soil. The market of Isle sur la Sorgue, Carpentras, Apt, Coustellet and Velleron have been selected by the National Council for the Culinary Arts for the atmosphere and the quality of their products.

The stunningly pretty villages perched on the hillsides include such famous names as Bonnieux, Ménerbes, Lacoste, Gordes with its 16th Century Château, and Roussillon with its distinctive ochre coloured cliffs. The department benefits from proximity to the coast, Marseilles or Nimes airports and the TGV in Avignon. On the gastronomic front besides all the wonderful produce already mentioned, the vineyards of the Vaucluse are justifiably renowned for the delicious wines of Beaumes de Venise, Vacqueras, Châteuneuf-du-Pape and of course Côte du Rhone and Côte du Rhone Villages.

Cathedral of Nativité-de-Notre-Dame and its Treasure
(historic monument originally built in the 11th century).
Château des Villeneuve (16th-17th century).
Chapelle du Rosaire des Dominicaines 1951, stained glass windows designed and decorated by Matisse.

Chapelle des Pénitents blancs (historic monument dating back to 1614).
Chapelle Sainte-Elisabeth (Jean Canavesio fresco, 15th century, “the path to Paradise”).
Les Colonnes des Marseillais.
Boursac Mill (built in the 15th century, converted into a youth community centre).
Important prehistoric and ancient remains:neolithic burial site at Baou-des-Blancs (Ibis and Aigle caves), numerous oppida, section of the Via Ventiana, Roman remains at the Col de Vence forestry centre and even Gallo-Roman reliefs in the cathedral.

Office of Tourisme,

Place du Grand Jardin
Vence 06140

Tel : 04 93 58 06 38
Email : officedetourisme@vence.fr
Website : www.vence.fr

The village of Eze was first occupied in prehistoric times.  However, the first people known to settle here were the Celto-Ligurians.  Then came the Phoenicians.  The Saracens took over from the Romans. Finally,  Eze became part of France, or at least for a certain period, as it did not definitively become part of French territory until 1860. Over the centuries,  the village had large fortifications built to ward off invaders.  Today, little remains of these installations.  On the orders of Louis the XIV,  the ramparts and castle were partially demolished. Only one fortified double gate from that era, la Poterne, serving as the entrance to the village, survives.

The little streets with evocative names of Cicadas and Provence reveal to you the sweetness of life by the sea.  This seaside resort is located on the Basse Corniche,  it has a well managed restful pine shaded beach with several ’60s’ style beach bars.
Eze-sur-Mer has a microclimate which encourages flower cultivation.

The St-Laurent chapel, built in the 17th Century is worth a visit.

The exotic garden of Eze is located in the ruins of the medieval fortress and provides a collection of succulent plants from various continents, including South America and Africa. There are Cactii, Aloes, Agaves and other amazing plants such as Aeonium Aboretum from the most arid places of the world.

From its spectacular vantage point 500 meters above sea level,  you have direct views across the Mediterranean to Italy, down onto the bay of Villefranche-sur-Mer, the Baies des Anges in Nice, the landing strip of Nice airport and even across to St Tropez; on exceedingly clear, bright days it’s said that you can even see Corsica. A panoramic table made from enamelled lava and located in the remains of the fortress, will help you locate the principal places and sites along the coast.

Sheltered from winds by the Revère Mount,  the site offers a truly remarkable micro-climate which ensures the growth of the garden’s fascinating plants.  An admission fee of €5 per person is charged at the turnstyle entrance.
Open daily – Tel 04 93 41 10 30

The Perfumerie Fragonard, founded about 1926, took its name from a painter, Jean-Honore Fragonard.  The Perfumerie has a boutique not only in Eze Village on the Cote d’Azur,  but also its original establishment in Grasse and also in Paris.  Visit the perfume “laboratory” in Eze for sure but also the shop where they showcase their signature perfumes as well as soaps, lotions, comestics, antique jewellery, and linens, glass and wicker for the home.

Free guided tours are offered at the laboratory where they explain the essentials of making perfumes and interesting facts.  The person known as “the nose” is the person responsible for actually creating new perfumes and his/her job is well worth finding out about –  it’s quite fascinating!  Also learn how perfumes are made.

The laboratory is open every day, including holidays, from approximately 8:30 am to 6:30 (store hours in town 10 am to 7pm). Each of these places is closed for lunch from noon to 2pm from November through January.

Access to Eze Village is on the Moyen Corniche and there is a regular bus service from the Gare Routière in Nice.

Eze-sur-Mer is situated on the Basse Corniche and served by the bus service in Nice or the TER train service stopping in the village.

The Office Municipal du Tourisme is situated in the Place du Général de Gaulle behind the main car park.

Tel : 04 93 41 26 00

Website: http://www.eze-riviera.com/emotions/ang/welcome.html

Juan-les-Pins is famous for its annual jazz festival in July. New Orleans is a sister city, something which for a series of years was manifested with carnival festivities in the streets of Juan-les-Pins, with both local and New Orleans jazz bands parading.  Along the street behind the seaside stage where the annual jazz festival “Jazz à Juan”  is held, one will find ceramic tiles laid into the pavement with handprints of more than 50 jazz musicians who have played at this festival, among those are Al Jarreau, B. B. King, Chick Corea, Clark Terry, Dave Brubeck, Dee Dee Bridgewater, Eddy Louiss, Elvin Jones, Fats Waller, George Benson, Hank Jones, Jack DeJohnette, Joshua Redman, Little Richard, Milt Jackson, Oscar Peterson, Pat Metheny, Ravi Coltrane, Ray Charles, Richard Galliano, Roy Haynes, Shirley Horn, Sonny Rollins, Stéphane Grappelli and Wynton Marsalis.

Then there’s the nightlife!  As soon as the weather turns mild, the streets of Juan-les-Pins are cheek by jowl at night as revellers weave from bar to cafe to restaurant to casino.  Le Crystal bar-brasserie has been an institution since 1936 but nearby Pam-Pam in the route Wilson (tel. 04 93 61 11 05) for a faux-tropical experience also has its passionate devotees, where you can sip rum drinks in an atmosphere that celebrates reggae, Brazilian, and African music and dance.

If you prefer high-energy revelling, check out the town’s many discos.  Whisky à Gogo, boulevard de la Pinède (tel. 04 93 61 26 40), attracts young trendsetters with its rock beat.  In summer it fills up with the young and restless. Between October and Easter, it’s closed.  Le Village, 1 bd. de la Pinède (tel. 04 92 93 90 00), parties with an action-packed dance floor and DJs spinning the latest sounds from the international music scene. The cover charge is €15, although it’s free for women before 1am on Friday.

The beaches from Cap d’Antibes to Golfe Juan are populated with beach bars such as The Helios, Juanita or The Lido where one can stay all day soaking up the sun and pause for lunch .

ANTIBES – JUAN LES PINS
Maison du Tourisme , 11, place de Gaulle, 06600 ANTIBES,
Tel: (+33) 492 90 53 00, Fax: (+33) 492 90 53 00

http://www.antibesjuanlespins.com

The chateau which dramatically dominates the heights of the town dates from the 11th century and originally had three enclosures and four enormous towers.  Much of it was destroyed during the 17th century wars of religion and later after the Revolution.  But impressive ruins of the original towers remain, along with remnants of the stone windows giving a very good idea of the medieval defensive building.  The chateau is owned by descendants of the Castellane family who owned it before the Revolution and it is now protected as  a Monument Historique. There are live performances there during the summer.

The village which clusters round the castle is a delight and rewards meandering round its steep, winding streets, decorated everywhere with flowers and fountains.  Shady squares provide a cool retreat from the sun in summer, and in the quieter seasons of spring and autumn,  the heights of the village breathe peace and fresh air. Many of the buildings house craftsmen and artisans whose wares enliven the medieval streets.

The rue des Templiers is the oldest street in town, noted for its fine arcades, and the carving of stone framed doors and windows.  The street leads to the 11th century Eglise St Michel which is a superb example of Provencal Romanesque, constructed in the form of a cross.  Inside is a superb marble font dating from as early as the 7th or 8th century.  Three kilometres in the direction of Port Grimaud is the little chapel of Notre Dame de la Queste, built by monks from Marseille in the 11th century –  there are the relics here of Saint Lambert and a very grand Baroque altarpiece.  There is still an annual pilgrimage to the chapel held every August 16th.

For the most attractive Pottery and Terra Cotta tiles – visit Poterie de 3 Terres

Galerie du Cygne St Tropez opened in June 2001 and is open for the Summer months of June to September. Opening hours are 10h00 to 12h00 and again 17h00 to 20h00.

Every Thursday – Market.
Every Monday, Thursday Friday  and Sunday – Marché local Port Grimaud
1st Sunday in the month – Brocante
Every Sunday – Puces (flea market)
Every June – Fete du moulin (windmill festival)

Copyright © 2011 Rosemary Bailey

Copyright images Informationfrance 2011

Aups

Bandol

Bormes-Les-Mimosas

Cavalaire-sur-Mer

Draguignan

Fayence

Frejus

Gassin

Grimaud

Hyeres

La Croix Valmer

Le Castellet

Le Lavandou

Le Rayol-Canadel

Les Issambres

Port Grimaud

Saint Raphael

Sainte Maxime

Salernes

Sanary-sur-Mer

St Tropez

Toulon

Booking.com

Aix-en-Provence

Arles

Cassis

La Camargue

Les Alpilles

Les Baux-de-Provence

Les Calanques

Marseille

Pont Royal

Saint Maries de la Mer

Salon-de-Provence

St Remy-de-Provence

Booking.com

The sharp peaked hills of the Alpilles, a picturesque area, are set to the west of the Luberon, between Arles and Lamanou. The countryside around St Remy and Les Baux is much sought after, the latter described as one of the most beautiful villages in France and with superb and far-reaching views extending to the Camargue and Arles. Arles, with its Roman Arena, home to the annual bull run, was also for a while, home to Van Gogh and Gauguin. Where the ‘cicadas’ sing incessantly and surrounded by vineyards, almond and olive groves, the area is an artist’s paradise.

The elegant university city of Aix-En-Provence was the birthplace of Cézanne who painted the imposing Mont Saint Victoire to the east of the City on many occasions. With its beautiful shaded Cours Mirambeau, lively restaurants and colourful markets, the city has a wealth of shops, hotels and varying activities, attractive architecture, and is universally popular. Property in the surrounding areas reflects this popularity with its high prices.

On the coast is Marseille, a cosmopolitan port and the second largest city to Paris. The coastline stretching to the east from Marseilles to Cassis has some beautiful ‘calanques’ or creeks with steep rocky cliffs. Cassis with its pretty port and La Ciotat are much frequented and the area is popular for water sports of every description. This department represents some of the best that Provence has to offer.

Antibes

Auron

Beaulieu-sur-Mer

Biot

Cagnes-sur-Mer

Cannes

Cap d’Ail

Eze

Golfe-Juan

Grasse

Haut de Cagnes

Isola 2000

Juan-les-Pins

La Colle-sur-Loup

La Turbie

Mandelieu-La Napoule

Menton

MONACO

Mougins

Nice

Roquebrune-Cap-Martin

Sophia Antipolis

St Jean-Cap-Ferrat

St Laurent du Var Port

St Paul de Vence

Theoule-sur-Mer

Tourrettes-sur-Loup

Valbonne

Vence

Villefranche-sur-Mer

Villeneuve Loubet

Booking.com

The Alpes-Maritimes begins in the pretty town of Theoule sur Mer just west of Cannes. Cannes is one of the most famous resorts in the world, renowned for its annual film festival and its palatial hotels. The Boulevard de La Croisette which runs along the seafront is a people-watchers’ paradise and also has excellent beaches, many of which are owned by the hotels that dominate the seafront. Heading east, one finds the beach resort of Juan Les Pins, the luxurious peninsula of Cap d’Antibes and the town of Antibes. Antibes has the largest marina in Europe and is home to many of the world’s largest yachts. The beautiful old town is interesting to explore on foot, with its Provencal market, cathedral and the excellent Picasso Museum.

Inland are villages such as Mougins, well known for its fantastic restaurants and St Paul de Vence, home to many of the region’s artists, both past and present. The surrounding countryside is incredibly beautiful with amazing views to be found wherever one looks. In complete contrast to the old fashioned way of life in these medieval villages, the huge technology park of Sophia Antipolis is the European base of many of the world’s computer and high-tech companies. It is this contrast between new and old that makes this department one of the most interesting in France.

Heading east of Antibes, we come to the city of Nice. Nice is the capital of the department and the fifth largest city in France. Once a winter retreat for wealthy British and Russians, Nice is now a fully functioning metropolis with the second busiest aiport in France. East of Nice, the town of Villefranche sur Mer with its stunning bay is a stop off for many cruise ships. The peninsula of Cap Ferrat has some of the most expensive real estate in Europe. The tiny, independent Principality of Monaco is incredibly glamorous and is home to many of the world’s celebrities due to its status as a tax haven. Once a year, Formula 1 cars race around the streets of Monaco for the Monaco Grand Prix. Menton is the last town in France before reaching Italy. The town has only been part of France for just over a hundred years and feels very much like Italy with its stunning Italianate architecture and relaxed pace of life.

Gap

Booking.com

Between these parks lies Briançon, the highest town in Europe and the largest fortified site built by Vauban, with its narrow streets, sundials, gargoyles and churches. There is also a mining museum and the fascinating Musée La Mesure du Temps with the first sundial and atomic clock. The cliff top 13th Century Fort Queyras, has a medieval keep and later fortifications added by Vauban. At Embrun, known for its architectural heritage, the 12/13th Century Cathedral of Notre-Dame-du-Réal has a collection considered to be the fourth most important in France.

The popular resort of Serre-Ponçon nearby is the largest man-made lake in Europe (3,000 Ha). Gap is well placed for touring the region and has a botanical conservatory with 1,000 varieties of rose, 500 of apple and 800 of pears. You can also visit the 14/16th Century medieval castle in Tallard. The natural gorges in the Buëch stretch for more than 4 kms, carved out by the River Méouge, with numerous waterfalls and natural pools.

At the end of the Drac Valley is the spectacular Saut de Laire waterfall, whilst at Le Gioberney is the “Cascade du Voile de la Mariée” or Bride’s Veil waterfall. The department is a popular haunt of fishermen with 75 lakes, rivers and streams stocked with numerous species of fish. With a total of 2,000kms of rivers, a fishing permit is compulsory but valid throughout the department. In this delightful department full of Provençale charm with local produce in abundance, other activites include hiking, biking, climbing, potholing, horse riding and golf as well as paragliding, microlighting and skiing. Copyright: Sarah Francis

Digne Les Bains

Booking.com

Colmars-les-Alps on River Verdon, still retains part of its 14th Century defences together with some of Vauban’s works dating from the end of the 17th Century. In the Valley of the Durance, the pretty medieval market town of Sisteron, northern gateway to Provence, still has five towers intact from its 14th century ramparts and its beautiful 14th century bell tower. The town is overlooked by the 13th century Citadelle with later work carried out by Vauban. To the south is Manosque, also a market town, and the spa town of Digne-Les–Bains with its campanile tower framed against the mountains. Napoleon’s Route back from exile in Elba in 1814 took him through Digne and Sisteron.

At Forcalquier, sheltered by the Lure Mountain to the north and the Luberon to the south, you can follow the Route de la Lavande and the Domitian Way, the ancient Roman trading route between Spain and Italy. At Simian La Rotonde, perched on a hill overlooking the lavender fields, is the dungeon of the ancient fort. The River Verdon bypasses the Mercantour National Park with its pretty alpine vegetation and Allos Lake, the largest high altitude lake in Europe. Others include those of Esparron, Sainte-Croix du Verdon and Castillon.

Castellane, the eastern gateway to the dramatic limestone gorges and aquamarine waters of the Verdon, is overlooked by The Chapelle Notre Dame du Roc towering above the village on a rocky outcrop. Once a week there is a lively Provençal market on the outskirts of the village. The villages of Gréouz-les Bains, Moustiers-Sainte-Marie, with its remarkable Romanesque churches and rose coloured roof tiles, and Valensole are also well worth visiting. To the east,  Annot is set in the middle of a chestnut tree forest and nearby is the mediaeval village of Entrevaux with its ramparts and citadel, built by Vauban. Copyright: Sarah Francis