No matter what it is that you hope to discover you will surely find it tucked away along one of the grand mountains or rolling hillsides of the region. Wine lovers flock to the south of France to explore the numerous vineyards. There really is no better place to discover new wines in an old country. It is also here where visitors will find many of the world’s best red, white and rosé wines.

A visit to Province should also include some of the hilltop villages. Menerbes is one of the most notable villages in the region. This beautiful town, which is set high in the mountains, looks down onto farmland and vineyards. It also provides tourists with stunning views of the Calavon Valley.

A village not to be missed is Roussillon. Easily explored on foot, the town is placed high in the red and gold cliffs that can be found about 30 minutes from Les Olivettes. It is a preferred destination by Northern Europeans and Germans.

The medieval hilltop village of Gordes is a popular choice with the French and rather noteworthy European officials, while the town of Les Baux draws visitors with its old world charm. Located in the Alpilles Mountains, the village is a great choice for those wanting unforgettable panoramic views of the Camargue, Alpilles fields as well as impressive views of the Arles.

You might consider buying yourself a holiday home in Provence. Properties available from 50,000 – 500,000 euros. From sea-front apartments, to luxury villas and farmhouses (or mas), there is a wide choice of property available for sale in Provence and Cote d’Azur.

Property in Provence is generally priced higher than similar properties further to the west and north, due to its proximity to the French Riviera.  However, small apartments near the Provencal coast can still be found for less than 140,000 euros.

You will find a range of luxury self-catering accommodation is available in Provence and Cote d’Azur. The latter, the playground of the rich, is the place to come for luxury villas, surrounded by vineyards and olive groves, with your own private pool. But you can also choose from charming villas, farmhouses, luxury villas with pools, or modern apartments with all mod cons. And within close proximity to the beach, you can find the perfect holiday hideaway – under blue skies for nearly 300 days of the year.

Mas Carignan
Mas Carignan, set in two acres of land, including its own vineyard, commands a dramatic position at the crest of a hill, and enjoys magnificent views across the valleys towards the sea and mountains. The accommodation includes five double bedrooms and four bathrooms/shower rooms, and is furnished to a high standard. The house has central heating and a heated pool. The accommodation is suited for two families. The maximum capacity for rental purposes is ten.

La Bouilladise Villa
This detached Provençal house is situated on a wooded hillside near La Bouilladisse to the south east of Aix-en-Provence. There are far-reaching views over the surrounding hills and countryside. The secluded garden is enclosed, and the swimming pool is fenced off making it safer for young children. There are terraces on three sides of the house with a gas barbecue, a pizza oven, garden furniture for outdoor meals, a ping-pong table and parking for two cars within the property. The house is up a small, steepish lane above the road which leads to the village. There may be some traffic noise from this road, however in the summer this is drowned by the cicadas singing in the surrounding woodland. The interior is modern and the décor is cheerful and the house is very well-equipped. Internet access is available if you bring a lap-top.

Treat yourself to a holiday that incorporates cooking classes, whilst on vacation in Provence. Food is a wonderful reason to go to Provence, as well as the beaches, sunshine, olives, vineyards, lavender,and wines that include Chateauneuf-du-Pape. So why not enrol yourself in one of the many very personal, often home-based cookery schools. Whatever gastronomic dish you are hoping to create, there will be a school that give you the skills to do so. Or, if you’re just looking for a relaxing creative break, why not treat yourself to a weekend course in luxury surroundings?

The exceptional Provence cuisine uses fresh local ingredients like eggplant and tomato, combined with farm bred meats and herbs and spices. A Mediterranean influence brings hot spices and seafoods. Market places are unforgettable, so wherever you go, keep an eye out for the weekly markets where fresh produce (think dinner), food, clothes, and antiques can be found. Vineyards make good villa rental Provence France destinations and you should try to get to the southern part of the Rhone Valley, where French vineyards originated 2,600 years ago.

During the French summer holidays many of the beaches along the Riviera can get crowded – if possible, visit at other times when you’ll find it easier to find your own stretch of sand to relax on. With 300 days of sun a year, you can enjoy the sun from April right through to October. One of the prettiest beaches, facing west, is close to Antibes, with a sheltered bay and view of the Old Town, with plenty of ice cream parlours nearby to help you keep cool.

Visitors to Cannes may be disappointed to find that many of the beaches are not accessible unless you’re staying in one of its top hotels. Unlike Nice, where the wide beach along the Promenade Des Anglais, though pebbly, is the place to relax in the summer. If you fly in to Nice airport, with just hand luggage, you could be lying on the beach in less than an hour, if you take a taxi.

One of the best ways to see the most beautiful stretches of sand on the coast is to hire a car. Many of the beaches are in little coves, often just minutes away from each other, so you can visit over a dozen beaches in just one day, all with different feels and flavours. What lots of people enjoy about lazing on beaches in France is that it’s considered OK for women to go topless and there are often reserved naturist beaches for those who like to relax au natural.

Most establishments provide a generous continental breakfast with a choice of fruit juice, bread and croissant or pain au chocolate fresh daily from the local baker, home made jam and local honey when available, and coffee tea or chocolate.

Lists of local chambre d’hotes (B and B) can be obtained from the local tourist offices, via the Internet.

Suggested trips

Avignon, Les Baux de Provence, Saint Rémy
Day trip approximately 250 km.

• Morning: departure for Avignon, visit the Palais des Papes and the St Benezet bridge.?• Time for lunch in Avignon.?• Afternoon: departure for St Remy de Provence and the famous village of Les Baux de Provence topped by the ruins of its castle which unveil a panoramic view over the Alpilles region.

Visit to Marseilles, Cassis and its Calanques

Day trip approximately 100 km.
• Visit of Marseilles with stops at the «Vieux Port» and Notre Dame de la Garde to admire the wonderful panoramas surrounding the city of?Marseilles. Enjoy fantastic and unique views of the city from an open top deck bus : the Vieux-Port (Old Port), the historic Panier district, the basilica?of Notre Dame de la Garde with its fabulous panorama, the Corniche overlooking the sea … then on to Cassis by the President Kennedy sea?front Corniche.?• Time for lunch in Cassis.?• Visit of the Calanques of Cassis by boat, 3 or 5 calanques and then free time in Cassis. 3 calanques, lenght 45 minutes. 5 calanques,?lenght 1 hour 10 minutes.?• In case of bad weather, it is possible to climb the highest cliff of Europe, Cap Canaille, and travel on to La Ciotat via the mountain ridges.

Arles and the Camargue

Day trip approximately 300 km.
• Morning: Leave Aix for a visit of the town of Arles : the Roman Arenas the antique theatre and the Cathedral with its Saint Trophime cloister.?• Time for lunch in Arles.?• Afternoon : Pass through the Camargue’s national park to the village of Aigues Mortes. Discover the Saintes Maries de la Mer before returning to Aix.

For more information, and hotel reservation information, with pictures of Aix en Provence, visit the official Aix en Provence Tourism site