Summer has always been synonymous with holidays, perhaps a journey of discovery and adventure, far from traditional tourist routes. If you are looking for a destination that combines beautiful natural landscapes, culture, good food and well-being, then Provence may well be for you. Do we have your attention? Now you just have to read our article, put on your backpack and find out how this corner of France facing the Mediterranean is ideal for an incredible on-the-road experience!
Geography
Located in the south-east of France, the Provence region (otherwise known as Provence-Alpes-Côte d’Azur) is undoubtedly one of the most diverse areas of Europe in terms of its environment and landscape. Bordered by the Rhône River, the Alps and the Mediterranean Sea, it is renowned for its radical changes of appearance over just a few tens of kilometres, encompassing fragrant lavender fields, fine sandy beaches, limestone gorges and ancient forests. The region is ideal for all nature lovers, who can admire the views while hiking or cycling.
Places to visit
Provence boasts many interesting places and we have chosen some particularly appealing ones for you that are perfect for visiting with your backpack…
- Saint-Paul de Mausole: a small town on the road that connects Paris to Marseille. From May 1889 to May 1890, the famous painter Vincent van Gogh was admitted, by his own choice, to the psychiatric hospital that still exists here and can be visited today.
- Gordes: located just thirty minutes from famous Avignon, this village of medieval origin is characterized by the “stacked” arrangement of its houses and by the distinctly 16th-century style arcades with a vaulted roof.
- Route de la Lavande: a route that can be easily travelled by bicycle through streets characterized by fragrant, colourful lavender, which flowers during the summer.
- Arles: with over 2000 years of history, Arles is one of the oldest cities in the region, boasting Roman monuments such as the Amphitheatre, Roman Theatre and Baths of Constantine.
Food
Provençal cuisine is characterized by the use of fresh, zero-km products. The various dishes are created following the natural course of the seasons. Aromatic herbs, fruit and vegetables reign supreme, constituting a healthy, light, typically Mediterranean diet. The most famous dish is undoubtedly ratatouille, a colourful side dish originally from Nice which consists of fresh vegetables (peppers, aubergines, courgettes and tomatoes) cut into cubes of equal size, stewed together for an authentic triumph of countryside flavours.
What are you waiting for? The on-the-road destination for your 2019 holidays awaits you in this charming corner of France.
