Provence
The first thing that stikes you about Provence is that it is a region of many contrasts.
From the neat vineyards lining the banks of the River Rhone, to the carpet of lavender fields in the foothills of majestic Mont Ventoux, Provence is a spectacular showcase of natural beauty.
It is a land of bright colours and strong tastes, where the local people have turned their whole relaxed lifestyle into an art form.
The heart of Provence is in the hills that link the sea to the alps. These are the sloping vineyards; the cultivated lands and the colorful scenery that charmed Cezanne, Van Gogh, Chagall or Giono.
A holiday in Provence offers culture going back to Greek and Roman times in a landscape scattered with olive trees, lavender fields and vineyards. Aix-en-Provence with its classical buildings remains a major centre of the arts and learning. The walled city of Avignon has a Papal palace and famous bridge over the river Rhone.
Other must-see sites include Chateauneuf du Pape and the Gorges de L’Ardèche, while the historic towns of Aix and Uzes are steeped in Provençal atmosphere. The site of the Pont du Gard, now a World Heritage site is also well worth a visit.
Journeys around Provence constantly reveal new vistas of spectacular rivers, lakes and gorges and the wild hills such as those of the Luberon National Park.