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Frankrike
Var

Departementet Var gränsar upp till departementerna Bouches-du-Rhône i väster, Alpes-de-Haute-Provence mot norr och Alpes-Maritimes i öster. Var är ett område med böljande marker och gröna berg med små byar på toppen täta skogar och stora områden med vinmarker. Den södra delen av Var ligger ut till Medelhavet med den maritima staden Toulon som huvudstad i departementet samt det fashionabla St. Tropez. Var gränsar mot de vilda bergklyftor i norr – Grand Canyon du Verdon, som är departementets största turistattraktion. Här löper Verdon-floden djupt nere mellan de branta klipporna. Var är det området i Frankrike som är rikast på skog och den södra delen domineras av stora skogsområden med korkek och kastanjeträd. Här finner man också frankrikes sydligaste bergkedja – det mörka Massif des Maures.

Läs mer om Var Alla bostäder i Var

Kusten bjuder på tilltalande sommarställen som Hyères, Sanary-sur-Mer och Bandol, flera öar, häribland de paradisiska Iles d´Or med nästan urörd natur. Stränderna i Var är kända för att vara några av de bästa i området. Det är breda, barnvänliga sandstränder med bra plats och goda parkeringsförhållanden.

Inlandet är ytterst intressant, men utan särskilt många historiska sevärdheter. Det är först och främmst naturupplevelser och landskaplig skönhet som man finner. Här fattas inget som är typiskt provensalskt. Man finner gamla medelåldersbyar med smala, snodda strädden och trappor, idylliska platser med fontäner och platanträd, blomstrande mandelträd på våren, olivlundar, höga, smala cypresser och vinmarker så långt ögat kan nå. Var är speciellt känt för de stora provensalska vinerna, Côte de Provence och Bandol.

I Var stiger temperaturen till 28-35 grader i högsäsongen. De högsta temperaturerna upplever man inne i landet. Temperaturen ligger på ungefär 11 grader om vintern ute vid kusten och lite lägre inne i landet, där det ligger på ungefär 7 grader. I inlandet kan temperaturen ofta falla till minusgrader i kortare perioder. Normalt är det regntid i löpet av hösten och våren och det är likaså på denna årstiden, at man kan uppleva den hårda vinden, Mistralen.

De ovanstående klimttalen från Marseille, stämmer bra överrens med klimattalen på kuststräckan i Var.

Bagnols-en-Forêt

Bagnols-en-Forêt

Bagnols-en-Forêt is a quiet, little village, but extremely interesting and definitely worth a visit. It lies in a clearing surrounded by chestnut trees and pine forest, and there are magnificent panoramic views of the valleys and hills south and west of the village. Bagnol-en-Forêt is typically Provencal with small winding streets, shady squares...

Bargemon

Bargemon

Bargemon is a typical Provencal medieval village with its old stone houses, narrow streets, and fine, small fountains. In Bargemon there is ample opportunity to see historic chapels, a curious museum with old typewriters and a 12th-century church built into the city fortress wall. The entire city center is easy to see, especially from the square...

Bormes-les-Mimosas

Bormes-les-Mimosas

Bormes-les-Mimosas lies beautifully in the countryside, built on a hillside “as an amphitheatre”. It is an extraordinary pretty and popular village with a profusion of flowers and exotic trees. Bormes-les-Mimosas is nominated as one of the most flower filled villages in Frange, village fleuri. All over, there are bougainvilleas, oleanders...

Callian

Callian

The town is very characteristic with its winding streets and an old feudal castle on the hilltop. Le château fort, with towers from the 12th and 13th century, was rebuilt in the 17th century. The castle is today privately owned. In the town there are several old buildings, amongst others an old chapel which is used for art exhibitions and...

Carqueiranne

Carqueiranne

Because of its southern micro climate, the region has for centuries been home to horticulture. There are green-houses and flowers everywhere. Best known and most demanded are the tulips and Carqueiranne is an important area for growing tulips.

Claviers

Claviers

Claviers is wonderfully situated in a green and hilly landscape with olive, pine and oak trees. From Claviers there are fantastic views to the surrounding hills, to the neighbouring village Bargemon and straight out to the Mediterranean. Claviers is a typically medieval village with narrow, winding streets and old stone houses, but despite this...

Collobrières

Collobrières

Collobrières is a quiet little town, but very interesting and definitely worth a visit. The town is intersected by the Real Colloubrier river which has given name to the town. In Provencal it means a river full of grass snakes. In the northern part of the town a 12th century stone bridge, Pont Raoul Calvi, crosses the river. At the other side one...

Correns

Correns

The town has a great many historical remains, giving evidence of Correns’ interesting past. Amongst other things one can find a few cave dwellings as well as some Neolithic caves. The village is very charming with its small streets and many fountains. In Correns there are also the remains of an 11th century feudal castle, Fort-Gibron, whose tower...

Cotignac

Cotignac

The town itself is incredibly charming with its 16th century houses with beautiful portals, old shop facades, beautiful squares with fountains, restaurants, cafes, and several interesting small shops, including i.e., several interesting galleries and art shops. Every Tuesday all year round, the city's beautiful main street (or the city's central...

Draguignan

Draguignan

The main interest of Draguignan lies in its medieval quarter, which is encircled by beautiful avenues of plane trees. The streets in the old town are interesting, despite the fact that they do not have the same medieval character as the smaller villages. Draguignan’s landmark, a 24 metres high bell tower, Tour de l’Horloge, from 1663, dominates...

Fayence

Fayence

Fayence is beautifully situated on a hill side. There is a magnificent view of the surrounding hills and of the valley below which has one of Europe’s biggest paragliding air fields. Fayence is an extremely charming village with a unique atmosphere. The town is dominated by a wrought iron campanile, and one can still see remains of the...

Fréjus

Fréjus

Fréjus was the oldest Roman town in Gaul. It was founded by Julius Cesar in 49 B.C. and thereafter vigorously expanded by August. It is an unbelievably exciting town with a great many historical remains. This includes for instance, an amphitheatre, a temple, parts of an aqueduct, remains of the Roman harbour - approximately in the centre of the...

Grimaud

Grimaud

On top of the village one can find the ruins of an 11th century medieval castle which is being restored at the moment. It has presumably been very beautiful and impregnable, but it was almost completely destroyed after the revolution. The view of the coast from this high point gave the town an ideal strategic position through the Middle Ages. The...

Hyères

Hyères

Hyères is especially well known for its important palm industry, a fact which has caused the town’s surname Hyères-les-Palmiers. The first thing you see when arriving at Hyères, is the great palm avenues leading into the town. Funnily enough Saudi-Arabia is one of the biggest export markets, due to the fact that, in Hyères, they have managed to...

La Londe-les-Maures

La Londe-les-Maures

La Londe, in itself, is not so interesting. It is a relatively new town, about 100 years old, and for this reason it does not have the same charm as most of the other towns in the south of France. But because of its exceptional location, La Londe has lots of attractions and it is a very suitable place for a holiday. La Londe primarily offers a...

La Roquebrussanne

La Roquebrussanne

La Roquebrussanne is a great starting point for a holiday. Within half an hour’s drive you can find good hiking routes in the surrounding mountains, international golf courses, charming mountain villages, wonderful sandy beaches, interesting shopping possibilities in Hyères and Toulon and many, many other things. La Roquebrussanne is a typical...

La Seyne-sur-Mer

La Seyne-sur-Mer

La Seyne-sur-Mer was earlier well known for fishing. Times have changed, however, and today La Seyne is primarily a beach resort. But the fishermen can still be found every morning on the quays selling their freshly caught fish - definitely worth a visit. The old part of town is unbelievably charming with its old pastel coloured houses, small...

La-Cadière-d'Azur

La-Cadière-d'Azur

La Cadiére-d’Azur is a charming little village which has retained its Provencal authenticity with its many flowery streets, small boutiques and art and craft shops with pottery and local produce. One can very well understand why so many famous artists and painters have been seduced by this village. La Cadière-d’Azur has managed to preserve...

Le Brusc

Le Brusc

Le Brusc does not really have great attractions, but it has a good atmosphere and especially the town’s location is fantastic. Le Brusc lies in beautiful natural scenery, surrounded by old sumptuous villas and protected from the sea by the islands, Îles des Embiez, which one can visit by ferryboat (once an hour). There are many beaches in this...

Le Lavandou

Le Lavandou

Le Lavandou was in earlier days a small, insignificant fishing village across from the picturesque rocky island, Île d’Or, well known from Hergé’s Tintin and the Black Island. There is a pleasant atmosphere around the harbour with its huge international marina. Le Lavandou lies in fantastic natural scenery with pleasant, large, sandy beaches as...

Le Pradet

Le Pradet

From Le Pradet there are great possibilities of making exciting trips along the coast or into the beautiful Provencal hinterland. Le Pradet offers a 7 km long coastline with rocky coves and small pleasant sandy beaches, surrounded by beautiful Mediterranean vegetation. In the heart of Le Pradet one can find the Cravéro park which has sheep and...

Les Issambres

Les Issambres

This place offers fine sandy beaches with parking possibilities close to the water. Moreover, there is quite a variety of shops and a few restaurants. Les Issambres also offers a nice marina with space for 440 boats.

Montauroux

Montauroux

Montauraux is situated half way between the sea (30 km) and the nearest ski resorts (45 km). It is, therefore, a fantastic base for a holiday and for trips in the surrounding countryside. Montauroux is a little picturesque town with a fantastic history. The town is built around a fort which was badly damaged during the religious wars. There are...

Ollioules

Ollioules

Ollioules is a charming medieval village with well-restored houses, streets with arcades and flowery balconies. Ollioules is renowned for its flowers and the town is, actually, called la reine des fleurs (the queen of the flowers). The name, Ollioules, comes from the Roman word, Oliolis, which signifies olives. – Olives have been cultivated in...

Roquebrune-sur-Argens

Roquebrune-sur-Argens

Roquebrune-sur-Argens is an unspoilt and charming Provencal medieval village, founded in 975 A.C. at the top of a rock and on the right bank of the Argens river. Unfortunately, the village was almost destroyed in1592 during the religious wars, only an old tower is left. From here, there are fantastic panoramic views over the Argens plain to the...

Sanary-sur-Mer

Sanary-sur-Mer

Lots of old fishing boats give atmosphere to the area around the harbour with its numerous restaurants and cafés. It was in the clear blue sea of Sanary that the diving enthusiast Jacques Cousteau experimented with his new diving apparatus, fully developed in 1943. The new thing about this apparatus was that one could dive without an oxygen...

Seillans

Seillans

Three gates lead into the old part of the village, which is full of historic atmosphere with beautifully restored houses and fountains, narrow cobbled streets and pretty little squares with fountains, over- shaded by big plane trees. At the top of the village there is a privately owned castle, actually a picturesque gathering of buildings from...

Six-Fours-les-Plages

Six-Fours-les-Plages

Six-Fours-les-Plages covers an area of almost 2700 hectares and groups together 26 small villages and is one of the biggest “communes” on the coast. There are 18 km of coastline cut up into sandy beaches and secretive inlets, little harbours and protected forests. You will find an innumerable amount of historical monuments in Six-Fours-les-Plages...

St-Aygulf

St-Aygulf

St-Aygulf was a well known beach resort already in1880. In the belle époque period St-Aygulf received numerous artists including the author Alexandre Dumas and the much-admired actress Sarah Bernhardt. The town was, however, quickly ousted by the larger neighbouring towns St-Raphaël, Ste-Maxime and St-Tropez. Today St-Aygulf attracts a smaller...

St-Cyr-sur-Mer

St-Cyr-sur-Mer

The bay, which is surrounded by pine forests and vineyards, has three small charming harbours as well as a 2 km long sandy beach. St-Cyr-sur-Mer is primarily known for its beautiful and very child friendly sandy beach. The town offers all sorts of water sports and fantastic walking tours. Try for instance the coast path, le sentier littoral...

Ste-Maxime

Ste-Maxime

Ste-Maxime is a dynamic bustling town in the summertime. The town offers a beautiful promenade, a harbour, fine sandy beaches, all sorts of water sports, a lively nightlife, markets, restaurants and a casino. Ste-Maxime also has an old town with a 15th century château, today used as town hall and a square tower, La Tour Carré, from the 16th...

St-Maximin-la-Ste-Baume

St-Maximin-la-Ste-Baume

St-Maximin-la-Ste-Baume has a pleasant old part of town and an exciting medieval Jewish quarter with houses and facades from the 13th century as well as some ancient ramparts from the 14th century. St-Maximin-la-Ste-Baume is primarily renowned for its enormous Ste-Marie-Madeleine Basilica with its convent. The basilica is said to be built at the...

St-Raphaël

St-Raphaël

St-Raphaël was already in Roman Times a beloved holiday resort where wealthy families settled down (in the area around the present casino). In 1799 St-Raphaël became a part of history, when Napoleon landed here after his successful trip to Egypt. At the harbour there is a pyramidal monument in memory of this event. St-Raphaël was discovered as a...

St-Tropez

St-Tropez

It was the artist Paul Signac (1863-1935), who discovered St-Tropez in 1892, at the time, just a little idyllic fishing hamlet. He was seduced by the untouched idyll of the place, and he both painted and wrote about the wonderful motives he saw. It was through him the world heard about St-Tropez. In the fifties the peaceful fishing hamlet was...

Tanneron

Tanneron

Tanneron is set on a hilltop and surrounded by mimosa. Tanneron is the main town of the Massif du Tanneron and it is primarily known for the abundance of its mimosa. It is a fantastic spectacle from January to March when the yellow mimosa is in full bloom. Tanneron is not a typical tourist town and the main part of the towns’ residents do not...

Toulon

Toulon

Toulon does not have extraordinary attractions, but the old quarter, La Cité, or Basse Ville, as it is also called, has a labyrinth of narrow winding streets, covered passages, charming squares like Place Puget, Place Trois Dauphine and Camille Ledeau with pleasant cafés, restaurants and old fountains. The old quarter also has lots of fine little...

Tourrettes

Tourrettes

Tourrettes is a quiet village, definitely worth a visit. It is a typical mountain village with narrow streets and alleys, old medieval stone houses and shady squares. At Place de l’Horloge, at the top of the village, one can find a square bell tower which is the only remains from the Château des seigneurs de Villeneuve, “les seigneurs” who ruled...

Tourtour

Tourtour

Tourtour is denominated village dans le ciel, “the village in the sky”, and from a distance it seems exactly as if Tourtour hovers between heaven and earth. Tourtour lies 650 metres above sea level and boasts of spectacular views to all sides. On a clear day you can see the Massif des Maures, France’s most southern mountain range, the Luberon...

Trans-en-Provence

Trans-en-Provence

Trans-en-Provence is a pretty little village, although without major attractions. Along the riverbanks you will find the old mills and a few industrial buildings. The town has some silk factories from the 18th century. At several places old humpback-bridges are still used to cross the river. The façade of Hôtel de Ville is beautifully restored in...

Anthéor

Anthéor

The Corniche d’Or passes one adventurous rock formation after another. Along the way, there are parking lots where you can stop and enjoy the sight of the incredible rock formations, which run all the way into the sea, where they lie like small islands and skerries. All the way along the coast there are hidden coves with small, isolated beaches...

Flayosc

Flayosc

Den gamla stadskärnan i Flayosc är väl skyddad bakom sin cirkulära mur av hus. På toppen av kullen finns stadens gamla kyrka, Saint-Laurent, med sitt imponerande befästa klocktorn, som kan härledas ända tillbaka till 1000-talet då den kallades "Chapelle Notre-Dame-des-Anges". Den nuvarande kyrkan återuppbyggdes dock under 1500- och 1700-talet....

Les Arcs-sur-Argens

Les Arcs-sur-Argens

Den gamla staden hade dubbla murar som försvar mot saracenska invasioner. Det runda, befästa klocktornet toppas av en intressant kampanil från 1600-talet. Området mellan det "saracenska" tornet (fängelsehålan från 1000-talet) och Paul Simon Square, som kallas "Parage", är det äldsta i den medeltida staden. Här kan du se tornet, fängelsehålan från...

Bandol

Bandol

Bandol is also one of the oldest wine regions in France. It was the Romans who planted the first vines here 2550 years ago. Today it is the most important wine region in Provence, producing fantastic, storable red wines and rosé wines dominated by the Mourvèdre grape. The red wine is firm, strong with original aroma - herbs, tar, etc. - while the...

Agay

Agay

The lively Agay Plage, the city's main beach, offers breathtaking views of the Estérel mountains that dominates the bay. Along the beach there are several cozy shops and cafes. Agay also offers a nice little marina. From the mountain top, Rastel d’Agay, behind the city, you can enjoy the impressive views of the Mediterranean. Here are a myriad of...

Callas

Callas

Callas is a typical Provencal medieval village with narrow, winding alleys, cobbled stairways, and small squares with fountains. Callas does not offer the big sights, but of interest can i.e., mention the old town hall from 1623 with its typical wrought iron bell tower, Notre-Dame church with its tall bell tower and the ruins of an old castle...

Aups

Aups

Aups är främst känt för att vara en av Frankrikes främsta centra för produktion och handel med tryffel, sina många utmärkta marknader för områdets råvaror, lokalt hantverk och andra lokalt producerade produkter. Staden är värd för den tredje största marknaden för svarta tryfflar i Frankrike, som äger rum kontinuerligt från november till slutet av...

An incredibly exciting town full of atmosphere and situated in the department of Bouches-du-Rhône....

An incredibly exciting town full of atmosphere and situated in the department of Bouches-du-Rhône. The old quarter lies in the heart of Arles and has numerous Roman remains. The greatest sight is Les Arènes, a Roman amphitheatre from the 1st century A.D. There is also a Roman theatre from the 1st century B.C., Théâtre Antique, which is often used as a centre for the town’s many cultural arrangements, and Roman baths from the 4th century and a cathedral from the 12th century with its cloister-garth.

Aubagne lies in the hinterland from the coast, east of Marseille. The town is famous for being the...

Aubagne lies in the hinterland from the coast, east of Marseille. The town is famous for being the birth place of the Provencal author Marcel Pagnol. The Pagnol-society has dedicated a 3 hours walk into the hilly landscapes around the town to Pagnol so you can visit the universe, described in his books and the places where the films were made.

The medieval city, Avignon, is the main city of the department of Vaucluse. The inner part of town...

The medieval city, Avignon, is the main city of the department of Vaucluse. The inner part of town is still encircled by its 5 km long fortification walls with its 39 towers and 7 gates. Avignon has a great many attractions. The greatest sight is without any doubt the majestic Palace of the Popes: www.palais-des-papes.com; www.mairie-avignon.fr/en/musees/palaisen.php, which overlooks the Rhône river. Because of unrest and anarchy the Popes preferred Avignon to Rome for almost one hundred years (1309-77). Another of Avignon’s famous sights is Pont St-Benezet, immortalized in the children’s’ song Sur le Pont d’Avignon.

A very popular, medieval village in the department of Alpes Maritimes, best known for its...

A very popular, medieval village in the department of Alpes Maritimes, best known for its glassware. Here one can also find a very interesting Fernand Léger-museum.

Cagnes-sur-Mer, situated between Nice and Antibes, first of all offers a magnificent, fortified...

Cagnes-sur-Mer, situated between Nice and Antibes, first of all offers a magnificent, fortified old quarter, Haut-de-Cagnes, perched high up on top of a small rock. The town is intersected by steep, winding streets and stairways and a multitude of small, idyllic squares. At the top of the town you will find the ancient Grimaldi castle from the 14th century.

The most fashionable town on the French Riviera with its long elegant promenade La Croisette and...

The most fashionable town on the French Riviera with its long elegant promenade La Croisette and the luxurious Hotel Carlton. Lying across from Cannes is Iles de Lérins, two charming flower filled little islands, Ste-Marguerite and St-Honoret. Ste-Marguerite, the island closest to the mainland is almost covered in pine forest. It is particularly renowned because of ”the man with the iron mask” who was imprisoned here and whose identity is still unknown. At St-Honoret there is a beautiful old monastery, dating from the 11th century. In earlier times, St-Honoret was a religious centre for southern Europe and the monastery owned most of the land along the Mediterranean including Cannes. The island is still inhabited by monks. A museum and a church can be visited by the public.

Cassis is a charming fishing port, situated between two large protected nature reserves: Cap...

Cassis is a charming fishing port, situated between two large protected nature reserves: Cap Canaille, Europe’s biggest cliff (going directly into the sea) with its 416 metres and les Calanques, the protected rocky coast from Cassis to Marseille. There are twelve narrow deep inlets with crystal clear water. At the bottom of these inlets there are nice little beaches. From the harbour there are tour boats several times a day. Les Calanques is an absolute must. It is strongly recommended to take the Route des Crètes, which winds up and down, ending in la Ciotat. One fantastic view after the other – just fabulous.

Cavaillon is France’s biggest vegetable garden, primarily well known for its good melons. The...

Cavaillon is France’s biggest vegetable garden, primarily well known for its good melons. The local market competes with the market in Apt for holding the position of the biggest market in Vaucluse. The old quarter in Cavaillon has winding streets, small squares full of flowers, well-restored houses, one of Europe’s most beautiful synagogues from the 18th century, a Jewish museum, a cathedral from the 12th century with its monastery and a Roman triumph arch from the 1st century A.D.

Has almost grown together with the neighbouring town St-Raphaël. In Fréjus one can find a...

Has almost grown together with the neighbouring town St-Raphaël. In Fréjus one can find a characteristic French promenade with nice, little cafés and a multitude of restaurants, bars and discos, seething with life every night. The marina is the normal meeting point in the evenings, and here there is a really good atmosphere. In Fréjus there are quite a few Roman monuments, among other things a small arena which is still used for concerts and bullfights. One can also find a big amusement park with a Marineland.

Golfe Juan, situated between Cannes and Antibes, offers one of the very best beaches on the French...

Golfe Juan, situated between Cannes and Antibes, offers one of the very best beaches on the French Riviera, an impressive marina, restaurants, cafés and boutiques. It was also here Napoleon landed in 1815, when escaping from Elba. In Golfe Juan there is a 5 hectares public park, Exflora Park, showing different Mediterranean gardens exactly as they were in Roman Times and in the sumptuous 19th century.

Gourdon has a beautiful location, perched as an eagle’s nest on top of a mountain. An old medieval...

Gourdon has a beautiful location, perched as an eagle’s nest on top of a mountain. An old medieval village with wide views, fine restaurants and boutiques.

Situated between Alpes-de-Haute-Provence and Var. The breathtaking canyon, Gorges du Verdon, is...

Situated between Alpes-de-Haute-Provence and Var. The breathtaking canyon, Gorges du Verdon, is one of Europe’s greatest nature wonders - an outstanding nature experience that one must experience. At the Verdon river, which is cutting 700 metres down into the cliff, one can go hiking, climbing, canoeing and rafting.

The French centre for perfumes, producing perfume extracts and essences. Grasse is beautifully...

The French centre for perfumes, producing perfume extracts and essences. Grasse is beautifully situated at 333 metres altitude, in the hinterland of Cannes. The old city is very exciting with a labyrinth of streets and narrow passages. Here, there is a multitude of small, interesting boutiques.

Istres is beautifully situated on the big lake, Etang de Berre, between Marseille and la Camarque....

Istres is beautifully situated on the big lake, Etang de Berre, between Marseille and la Camarque. The old quarter, in the middle of the town, has a charm typical of Provence with narrow, winding streets, old stone houses and shady squares. One can also find several pleasant parks and flowery boulevards. From the tower of the church, Notre Dame de Beauvoir, there are magnificent panoramic views of the town and its surroundings.

La Camarque lies just south of Arles, in the department of Bouches-du-Rhône and still; you have...

La Camarque lies just south of Arles, in the department of Bouches-du-Rhône and still; you have the impression of being in another world. La Camarque differs completely from all the other regions in Provence. It is one of Europe’s biggest wetlands, covering a surface of 140.000 hectares, and one of the biggest bird sanctuaries in France. La Camargue is an exciting “world” with real cowboys, half-wild horses, black bulls, flamingos and big salt and rice fields.

La Ciotat lies beautifully in a bay, by an isthmus. Like Cassis la Ciotat also has some calanques...

La Ciotat lies beautifully in a bay, by an isthmus. Like Cassis la Ciotat also has some calanques, but they are far from being of the same interest as in Cassis. The old town with its many monuments testify to its rich historic past. It was here the Lumière brothers with their invention of the cinematograph in 1899 laid the ground for today’s film cameras. In La Ciotat one can also find the world’s very first cinema from 1895.

Le Cannet is perched high up above Cannes, and enjoys, for this reason, a fantastic panorama of...

Le Cannet is perched high up above Cannes, and enjoys, for this reason, a fantastic panorama of the bay of Cannes and the island group, Îles de Lérins. Le Cannet is especially well known for its artists’ quarter which is dominated by art craft workshops and galleries. It is an extremely nice and picturesque old town with skilfully restored houses, narrow, steep streets with numerous small, homely restaurants and cafés.

Mandelieu-la-Napoule is a beach resort between Cannes and Fréjus. It has good beaches, a nice...

Mandelieu-la-Napoule is a beach resort between Cannes and Fréjus. It has good beaches, a nice marina, lots of restaurants and cafés and a huge variety of water sports.

Manosque is a busy industrial town which houses the national French nuclear research centre...

Manosque is a busy industrial town which houses the national French nuclear research centre, Cadarache. For this reason lots of scientists and their families have settled in the town, giving it a dynamic and modern touch. Luckily, it has not destroyed the town’s medieval character. Two gates from the 12th century lead into the very interesting old town (pedestrian area). The old town has narrow, covered streets, small pleasant squares, and old stone houses as well as a beautiful old church with its usual Provencal wrought iron campanile. It is in this town the important Provencal author Jean Giono lived all his life while writing his books about the laborious life in Haute Provence. In Centre Jean Giono his life story is told.

Marseille is France’s third largest and oldest city and today the country’s most important port....

Marseille is France’s third largest and oldest city and today the country’s most important port. Despite what many people think, Marseille is a most fascinating town. The old port, Vieux port, is an exciting sight with lots of life and numerous restaurants. Here you can eat Marseille’s world famous fish soup, la Bouillabaisse, which is served with all its fish and variety of prawns.

The Principality of Monaco (pop.: 31,842) is a sovereign state lying out to the Mediterranean and...

The Principality of Monaco (pop.: 31,842) is a sovereign state lying out to the Mediterranean and surrounded by the French Alpes Maritimes department. Its geographical extent of 2 km² makes Monaco the world’s smallest country. Monaco is nicknamed The Mediterranean Manhattan as it is packed with sky scrapers and sumptuous villas. It is a constitutional monarchy and Prince Albert’s family, the Grimaldies, have reigned in Monaco since 1297. Monaco consists of three towns: The old town, Monaco-Ville, with the Royal Palace on top of a cliff, Monte-Carlo with its very famous Casino and the residential area la Condamine, with its big marina.

The Lubéron Mountains consist of two massifs, Grand et Petit Lubéron, separated by a narrow canyon...

The Lubéron Mountains consist of two massifs, Grand et Petit Lubéron, separated by a narrow canyon Combe de Lourmarin. The whole area was laid out as National Park in 1977. It covers 120.000 hectares and stretches from Cavaillon in the west to Manosque in the east and from Gordes in the north to Pertuis in the south. It is a fantastic region with unspoiled nature, perfect for hiking or bicycle tours.

A fantastic, medieval mountain village beautifully situated. Here one can also find one of the...

A fantastic, medieval mountain village beautifully situated. Here one can also find one of the most famous restaurants in France, Moulin de Mougins.

The main city in the department of Alpes Maritimes, France’s fifth biggest city and the most...

The main city in the department of Alpes Maritimes, France’s fifth biggest city and the most important city on the Riviera. Famous for its beautiful location by the Baie des Anges, surrounded by mountains, Nice first of all offers a very interesting old city, the magnificent promenade, Promenade des Anglais, the museum of modern art and Chagall and Matisse museums.

The town first of all offers an enormous basilica which is reputed to hold the relics of Mary...

The town first of all offers an enormous basilica which is reputed to hold the relics of Mary Magdalene. According to the legend, Mary and her followers were wrecked and brought safely ashore at the coast off La Camargue. Built between 1296 and 1532, this big basilica is considered one of the most impressive examples of Gothic architecture in Provence. A little south of the town one can find the grotto, where Mary Magdalene is meant to have spent 30 years of her life until she died in St-Maximin. It takes a good walk through a thick forest to reach the grotto. The old town and the medieval Jewish quarter offer leisurely strolling, discovering the old houses with facades from the 13th century and the ancient fortifications from the 14th century.

The artists’ town, St-Paul-de-Vence, is one of the prettiest and most picturesque villages in the...

The artists’ town, St-Paul-de-Vence, is one of the prettiest and most picturesque villages in the region. Here one can find Auberge Colombe d’Or, one of southern France’s most famous restaurants.

This town has almost grown together with the neighbouring town, Fréjus. Since the middle of the...

This town has almost grown together with the neighbouring town, Fréjus. Since the middle of the 19th century St-Raphaël has been a popular holiday resort with nice, sandy beaches, marina and good shopping facilities. It was at this place Napoleon landed on his way back from Egypt in 1799, and so did the French- American troupes in 1944. One of the greatest sights in the town is a Templar’s church, dating back to the 12th century.

This town is one of the biggest pearls in Bouches-du-Rhône. St-Rémy-de-Provence is very well known...

This town is one of the biggest pearls in Bouches-du-Rhône. St-Rémy-de-Provence is very well known because of its very rich cultural and historic past. Here, one can find the remains from the Gallo-Roman city Comptoir de Glanum, founded in the 3rd century B.C. and later ruled by the Romans under Julius Cesar. There are still excavations going on. Les Antiques, at the outskirts of the town, has two unique Roman monuments, an arch from the 1st century B.C., and a very well-preserved mausoleum.

Originally St-Tropez was a small, humble, fishing village, until Brigitte Bardot, Françoise Sagan...

Originally St-Tropez was a small, humble, fishing village, until Brigitte Bardot, Françoise Sagan and other celebrities discovered the town in the 1950’s and pulled in the whole jet set. In high season (August), around 80,000 tourists arrive at this extraordinary holiday resort. Despite this “big circus” in the summer, the town is definitely worth a visit.

A most charming medieval village, situated between Cannes and Nice, only 14 km from the coast. It...

A most charming medieval village, situated between Cannes and Nice, only 14 km from the coast. It is renowned for its culture of violets. Tourrettes-sur-Loup is very much worth a visit.