Between the Mediterranean, Provence and the Alps, from the Camargue to the Barre des Ecrins, from the calanques of Marseille to the Gorges du Verdon, from Saint-Tropez to Avignon, there is a land of light, one of the foremost European destinations.

The coastal zone, the Provençal countryside and the mountains are able to offer the whole panoply of cultural or leisure activities. The lifestyle, the rich heritage, the beauty of the sites, all reflect the diversity of the region.

The cliffs of Cassis and Marseille, the vast plains of the Camargue, the red rocks of the Esterel, the visual drama is guaranteed, and the views of the Mediterranean are sublime.

The coastal area extends from the Côte d’Azur in Var to the Camargue, with dramatic contrasts, from the fine sandy beaches to the cliff road of the Esterel.

Famous ports such as Saint-Tropez, Marseille and Toulon and little coastal towns such as Bandol, Cassis, Hyères-les-Palmiers, Fréjus, Saint-Raphaël and Martigues… mark out and enliven the coast.

Close to the Mediterranean coastline, this is the stuff that dreams are made of.

If someone were to describe to you an azure sky and a song of cicadas ; the fragrance of lavender and perched villages ; for lunch, under the arbour, a little farm produced goat cheese served with a glass of local rosé - what would you think of?

The heart of Provence lies in the hills connecting the sea to the Alps. The Canyon du Verdon, the only site of its kind in Europe, is one of its natural jewels.

It was these vineyards, cultures and colourful landscapes which charmed Cézanne (Aix-en-Provence), Van Gogh (Arles and Saint-Rémy-de-Provence), Petrarch (Fontaine-de-Vaucluse) and Giono (Manosque and the Forcalquier area). This is the picturesque Provence of Pagnol or of Peter Mayle…

Heading South means making tracks for a mountain chalet.

Two hours from the sea, skiing enthusiasts, lovers of the wide open spaces, are able to head for the Southern Alps as eagerly in summer as winter.

The Southern Alps tower to a height of over 4000 metres … This land remains wild, enlivened by little hamlets and villages with a rich history, bearing witness to the mountain culture.

Great protected open spaces such as the Ecrins National Park and the Queyras Regional Park… are home to an abundance of varied fauna and flora.

They are full of history and emotion. The antique and religious sites, the art museums and traditional museums are exceptional and of great diversity.

Marseille, Avignon, Arles, Aix-en-Provence, Toulon, Fréjus, Briançon... Very lively and animated, places of artistic creation, come and discover them...