… is the land of lavender and ol

Provence.....

… is the land of lavender and olives, sweet scented herbs and sunflowers, villages of stone built houses clinging to a hillside. Fountains splash in sleepy squares whilst the locals enjoy a game of boules followed by a refreshing glass of Pastis.

The Romans appreciated this land of sunshine and their legacy can be seen today, not only in the many wonderful buildings and sites throughout the land but also in the many vineyards in the area, for the it was the Romans who first introduced the vine and wine making to Provence. There are ample opportunities for visiting vineyards for tasting and purchasing wines nearby, most notably the famed Chateauneuf du Pape and Cotes du Rhone. An important part of the life style is the street market, found in every town and many villages. As well as a wonderful selection of fresh fruit and vegetables, charcuterie and fish, you’ll also find lavender and olive products, beautiful Provençal fabrics and much more.

At the very heart of Provence lie the Bouches-du-Rhone and Vaucluse, each with a rich traditional and cultural heritage. This is where the houses are located and they make the perfect base for your holiday. If you can tear yourself away from the pool, you’ll find the best of Provence within easy reach, for example towns such as Avignon, Arles, Nimes, Aix-en-Provence (renowned for its annual music festival), plus the beautiful villages of St Rémy de Provence, Menerbes and Roussillon to name just a few.

If you like to walk, cycle or ride a horse, you can do so in surrounding areas of great natural beauty and there are golf courses nearby. Wild life abounds in the Camargue. See the legendary white horses, cowboys, bulls, flamingos. Fun for adults and children alike.

Marseille is a great town to explore with its picturesque port, water sports and fishing opportunities, plus boat trips to the beautiful ‘calanques’. Scuba diving and snorkelling in the clear turquoise waters are particularly popular and there are several excellent beaches along the coast.

During the summer, many villages have fun events for children, often at a chateau with a medieval theme. You can also visit a zoo and dinosaur site!

SWIMMING: Mediterranean beaches - 50 mins.

AIRPORTS: Marseille, Nimes - both less than an hour

TRAIN STATION: Avignon (TGV) - 30 minutes

FOR MORE INFORMATION ON THE AREA VISIT: www.visitprovence.com