Explore The South Of France With Provence Tours

By Maryanne Goff


The south of France has long been a favorite among the jet set. It's not without reason that the world's premier film festival is held in Cannes on the French Riviera. The Mediterranean climate makes this part of the world the perfect destination for a summer break. If you need some time away from the gorgeous beaches and want to see more of the region, it's a good idea to book one of the Provence tours offered by travel companies.


The Provence region is located in the south-eastern corner of France. It stretches from the Rhone River in the west to the Italian border in the east. Its southern border is made up of the Mediterranean Sea and includes the famous Cote D'Azur.

Many tours of the region start in the historical port city of Marseilles. Other cities often included in the itinerary are Avignon, Nice, Arles and Aix-en-Provence. There are packages that will let you see the area in a day but to really appreciate the beautiful landscape and the little medieval villages, it's best to spend at least three days here.

While general tours are a great way to get to know the region, you may also want to consider a tour with a specific theme. For example, Provence is renowned for its wines, particularly rose and red wines. A tour of the vineyards and wine cellars here is a must for oenophiles. Be sure to try and include a visit to a pastis distillery too to sample the area's traditional liqueur.

Many of the world's top chefs cite Provence as a favorite for its variety of fresh produce and its rich culinary tradition. This is, after all, the birthplace of dishes like bouillabaisse and ratatouille and people here are so serious about food that at Christmas, they traditionally serve no less than thirteen desserts. You may want to get some Provencal herbs from the local market and go on a food tour that will tantalize your taste buds.

The region is not only known for its fragrant cuisine but also for fragrances themselves. Lavender, roses, jasmine and other flowers flourish especially in the area around Grasse, which forms the heart of the perfume industry. A tour of the perfumeries in this charming town is an unforgettable, sweet-smelling experience.

The area is steeped in history and if culture or art is your passion, you may want to go on a cultural tour. For example, a tour of ancient Roman sites can be fascinating. You can also follow in the footsteps of artists or writers who spent time here, from Vincent Van Gogh, Paul Cezanne, Pablo Picasso and Henri Matisse to F Scott Fitzgerald, Edith Wharton and Robert Louis Stevenson.

Several companies offer a variety of Provence tours. A quick search online will guide you to a package that suits your needs and your budget. Any good travel agent will also be able to create a tailor-made package especially for you. All you need to do is enjoy the journey and save up for that chateau, because once you've visited the region, you'll want to stay forever.




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