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Administrative region of France
Photo: Berrucomons, CC BY-SA 3.0 via Wikimedia Commons
Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur (PACA) is the most popular holiday region in the south of France. It covers a large area from the Mediterranean Sea in the south up to the French Alps in the north and extends west to east along the coast from the river Rhône all the way to the Italian border. Its identity as a geographical region being a legacy of the Roman Empire, the Provence includes the French Riviera and is famous for its sunny weather, colourful countryside, long-standing traditions and local language (Provençal). The region's favourable climate makes the variety of available local produce second to none. Flowers, fruits and vegetables all grow in abundance, the sea's fish and shellfish stocks are rich and all this without forgetting those two most Provençal of industries: wine-making and perfumery.
By train
Rail connections are excellent. The TGV (train à grande vitesse, high-speed train) gets you down to the Mediterranean sun in about three hours from Paris, and just over an hour from Lyon.
By car
France has an extensive and comprehensive motorway network that is well-maintained and often free of congestion.
Choose an airport to see hotels, stations, taxi ranks and car rental desks around it.
Marignane, Bouches-du-Rhône · International · MRS
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France's cosmopolitan second city, known for its Mediterranean harbour, its calanques, and its seafood
the city of water and art, Paul Cézanne's hometown and a source of inspiration for many of his landscapes
an inspiration for Vincent van Gogh, as well as the site of numerous Roman remains
known for its Palace of the Popes, where several popes and antipopes lived between the 14th and 15th centuries, and for its folk song-spawning bridge.
a glamorous and expensive seaside town that hosts the annual Film Festival
a wealthy city-state on the Mediterranean Sea with entertainment for those with money to burn
a major beach resort along the French Riviera with its famous Victorian waterfront, the Promenade des Anglais
this medium-sized naval city has an old town and links to Operation Dragoon, aka the Mediterranean D-Day
one of Europe's largest river deltas and wetlands, a great place to spot flamingos and French cowboys
snow-capped mountains ideal for thrilling snowsports and après-ski elegance
super beaches, superyachts and the super-wealthy
a semblance of the Caribbean in the azure waters of the Var
the stereotypical rural Provence of sleepy villages, joie de vivre and wine (these last two not necessarily being linked)
seven mountain valleys with hiking trails, this is where the Provence shows its wild side. Lucky travellers may catch glimpses of chamois, ibex, golden eagles and even wolves.
the largest mountain in the region has been nicknamed the "Giant of Provence" or "The Bald Mountain"
beautiful turquoise river canyon, great for kayaking, hiking, rock-climbing or just driving around the limestone cliffs
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