Alpes-de-Haute-Provence is a patchwork quilt of nature, featuring mountains, gorges, rolling valleys, lavender fields, and pockets of remote villages and bustling towns. The Durance River plays a crucial role in this region, featuring high mountain peaks of the Alps and the lower alpine foothills, as well as remote villages. While there are other rivers, most of the watershed from the mountains runs down the Durance towards the Mediterranean.
The French Riviera stretches from Cassis (although some suggest Toulon) to the Italian border, passing through famous cities such as Saint-Tropez, Cannes, Nice, Monaco, and Menton. Since 1860, Côte d’Azur has been the French term for this stretch of the azure coastline. The French Riviera is home to glamorous stars, sparkling water, parasols, beach loungers, and fabulous yachts. Evocative images of the Côte d’Azur exist in movies and reality. Here is our guide to a road trip along the French Riviera, including the must-see destinations.
The Alpes-Maritimes department stretches from the French Riviera beaches to the southern Alps ski resorts to the Italian border. The Alpes-Maritimes includes densely populated urban areas and famous Côte d’Azur cities, surrounded by the Var and the Alpes-de-Haute-Provence. However, from vineyards to hiking trails, plenty of untouched wilderness awaits exploration.
Established in 2007, the Parc Naturel Régional des Alpilles covers the mountain range and its flanks. It is a protected natural area with restrictions on construction and park usage. The range is the result of millions of years of continuous geological evolution, and artifacts from human settlements discovered in these hills date back to the Neolithic era. Surrounding the Alpilles are several villages, each with a distinctive character. This guide highlights each town, listed in alphabetical order, along with a few must-see sights.
Like other departments, the Bouches-du-Rhône combines large urban centres and unspoilt countryside. Visible traces of Roman history are woven throughout the region, which is one of the many reasons to visit Arles and its monuments. Beautiful Aix-en-Provence and the seaside city of Marseille, France’s second-largest city after Paris, offer top-quality cultural events, art exhibits, festivals, and vibrant culinary scenes. The Rhône and Durance rivers serve as fluid boundaries of the Bouches-du-Rhône (mouth of the Rhône), while providing irrigation for the department’s agricultural lands.
Aix-en-Provence boasts a rich history of civilization and a roster of distinguished residents. Known as the city of water, Aix-en-Provence is where the Romans settled due to ready access to natural springs. As the town began to take shape during the Middle Ages, there were hundreds of fountains for domestic use. About 30 fountains remain; although beautifully ornamented, they no longer serve a practical functionality. These fountains are at intersections, in squares and even in some hidden corners of Aix. However, when visiting the “City of Art and Water” for the first time, it’s hard to know where to start. To help you during your visit, we’ve created a city guide.
