The Region of Provence-Alpes-Côte d’Azur

Photo by Ell Brown

Provence-Alpes-Côte d’Azur region of France (often referred to as PACA for short) is at the eastern end of France. Provence is often wrongly used to describe the region. Peter Mayle would take great exception! Perhaps the most well known area is the chic Cote d’Azur or French Riviera – playground to the rich and famous. Needless to say Provence property along the coast is expensive! But do not worry the area is accessible to mere mortals!

This light hearted definition of Provence makes me laugh: Provence is the sunny bit at the bottom of France. There’s a seaside bit (the Côte d’Azur,) a marshy bit (the Camargue) and a hilly bit (the Alps). But of course there is more to Provence-Alpes-Côte d’Azur!

In the video below you can see some of the obvious attractions of PACA:

The weather is fabulously hot in the summer. The Mistral which blows in the winter is annoying, and can drive you mad – so they say!

Why the region is called Provence-Alpes-Côte d’Azur seems strange in modern France. The region is made up of 6 departments: Alpes-de-Haute-Provence, Hautes-Alpes, Alpes-Maritimes, Bouches-du-Rhone, Var and Vaucluse. How come there is no department called Cote d’Azur? Strange – although there is no definite rule for the area known as Cote d’Azur typically it is said to run from east of Toulon through to the Italian border including St Tropez, Cannes, Nice, Antibes and Monaco.

Provence Property: Rental or For Sale

During July and August the region is overrun with tourists – both the French and international visitors love to vacation in this region. It is extremely difficult to get late rental bookings, and rental prices are high. It is not surprising that demand for Provence Property for sale, as an investment, is high and prices on the coast are very expensive. Inland your search for a Provence property can be more fruitful and you get more for your buck! The Luberon is an exception where prices are sky high. If you are renting out make sure you get a good Provence property management company to handle your investment!

 

Some of the best known villages in the Luberon are:
1. Bonnieux
2. Gordes
3. Goult
5. Lacoste
6. Ménerbes
7. Oppède
8. Roussillon

Many of these places feature in Peter Mayle’s books about the Luberon. Here are some of our favourite places to visit in Provence.

Bonnieux
It has a church at the centre of the village and a nice view of the Luberon countryside.

Bonnieux is one of the Luberon’s most attractive villages. It tilts gently down the north-westerly slope of the Luberon.

Gordes
Gordes is a picturesque village of the Luberon.

Expensive restaurants and hotels provide a clue to the popularity of this hilltop village, which spills down in terraces from a Renaissance chateau and the church of St-Firmin. It’s impressive position is the main attraction, although its vaulted, arcaded medieval lanes are also alluring.

Ménerbes
Ménerbes became famous through the books of British author Peter Mayle, tales of a British expatriate who settled in the village of Ménerbes. One of his books was made into a film A Good Year (2006) directed by Ridley Scott and starring Russell Crowe, which was filmed nearby in the region. There was also a BBC TV series based on Mayle’s books. Much was actually filmed in the nearby town of Bonnieux.

Provence-Alpes-Côte d’Azur is one of the most popular holiday regions in the south of France. The region covers 6 departments or areas of Provence-Alpes-Côte d’Azur is one of the most popular holiday destinations in the south of France.

Provence property is one of the most expensive in France. Prices on the coast and in the Luberon are particularly expensive!

The departments are:

1. Alpes-de-Haute-Provence
The mountainous northern part of the historic Provence. The Oriental Luberon and the spectacular Verdon Gorge are among the region’s highlights.

2. Alpes-Maritimes
Mostly known for the French Riviera, the Alpes Maritimes boasts 300 sunny days per year. The northern part of the region is a part of the French Alps.

3. Bouches-du-Rhône
Van Gogh was inspired by the countryside of this region. It is also home to wetlands of the Camargue on the west, the rural landscape of the Alpilles, the picturesque village of Cassis (yes drink!) and many other interesting destinations.

4. Hautes-Alpes
Part of the French Alps, it is among the highest regions in Europe.

5. Var
Known for its chic seaside resorts, yachts, the rich and famous, Romanesque and medieval architecture and wine. Inland there are lovely villages, cafes and restaurants

6. Vaucluse
An inland area named after Fontaine-de-Vaucluse. It is particularly famous for the Luberon (Peter Mayle wrote prolifically about this area), picturesque villages sought after by foreign visitors for its laid-back lifestyle.

The Cote d’Azur is probably one of the most famous areas of France: Playground of the rich and famous. The Brits often refer to it as the French Riviera.

It lies on the Mediterranean coast between the Italian border and to the east of Toulon – taking in Monaco, Antibes, Nice and Cannes (just a few of the places we can name drop).

Of course, it is an expensive area and you need a private airplane, a yacht in the Marina, and a large villa overlooking the sparkling blue Mediterranean sea – joking of course. But the celebs do like to live it up in this area!

Want to find out more about the Cote d’Azur?

Provence is easily accessible by plane, car, coach or TGV (fast train). Here are thoughts and Provence Travel Ideas.

The airport at Nice is 3rd busiest in France – for Brits both British Airways and Easyjet fly into Nice. There connections from Paris to Nice for international visitors. Marseille and Toulon have local airports.

Photo by Frederic Dinh

For channel visitors there are fast autoroutes from Calais to the region. You can also take your car on holiday by train! The TGV rail service is spectacularly fast from north to south. Catch the TGV Méditerranée – links Paris to destinations in the south and southeast of France like Aix en Provence, Dijon, Avignon, Nice and Marseille.

Travel Tips: Remember the roads will be especially busy at the beginning of July and the end of August. Make sure you have an alternative road itinerary. Most of France goes on holiday in July and August, and many businesses close. So if you are travelling to France to look for a Provence property – check the agents have availability to show you around!

There is plenty to do in Provence away from the beaches – varied landscapes, and different cultures. There are plenty of Provence travel blogs to guide you.