The south of France is characterized by its incredible diversity. From the Côte d'Azur up to the French Pre-Alps, you'll encounter vast lavender fields and steep rocky gorges, picturesque mountain villages and chic coastal towns in Provence. These are the places you must see.
Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur. The name already gives it away - the Provence is much more than deep purple Lilac Fields and Roman settlement history. In the south nestle the enchanting coastal towns of Marseille, Nice or Antibes to the shores of the Mediterranean Sea. In between, the steep-walled Calanques, the fjords of France, for hiking and swimming. And the glamorous Saint Tropez is a hotspot for the rich and beautiful during the warm months.
If you want to escape the jet set, head inland: by car, you can follow the serpentines of the Mont Ventoux up in Vaucluse, hikers roam the less high, but equally impressive Dentelles de Montmiral. Again and again one discovers small Provençal towns and villagesin the hilly landscape, which invite you to linger with their narrow streets, neat cobblestone floors and fine restaurants. Laissez-faire was invented here.
Also, gourmands live in the Provence like God in France: aromatic white wines and powerful reds, fresh Cavaillon melons and white nougat from Montélimar, bouillabaisse and ratatouille - here the palate is satisfied.
Genug gelesen? Dann ist es nun an der Zeit, der Landschaft zwischen Rhônetal und Italien einen kurzen Besuch in Bildern abzustatten.
Auf Lavendel-Wanderung in Frankreich findet man schnell zu innerer Ruhe. Schöne Touren führen etwa auf das Plateau von Valensole auf 500 Höhenmetern. In dieser Region durchstreift man ab Juni ein malvenfarbenes Meer aus frisch duftenden Blüten. Auch Sault im Departement Vaucluse worth the visit.
Den Kelten galt der 1.909 Meter hohe Mont Ventoux in Vaucluse als heiliger Berg, heute ist der einsame Vorposten eine äußerst beliebte Strecke für Rennradfahrer. Wer es nicht so sportlich angehen möchte, sollte den Gigant der Provence auf jeden Fall mit dem Auto (achtsames Fahren ist geboten!) erkunden. An schönen Tagen sieht man vom weiß-kahlen Felsgipfel vom Mittelmeer bis zu den Hochalpen.
From the coastal town Cassis with its picturesque sidewalk cafes, restaurants and the magnificent local white wine one has direct access to the Calanques. Especially beautiful: Above the village towers the medieval Château de Cassis as well as the Cap Canaille, the highest cliff in the country. At least once in a lifetime you should visit the Route des Crêtes, that leads to the Cap.
The Roman Aqueduct bridge Pont du Gard near Nîmes dates back to the 1st century A.D. It is worth visiting not only because of its enormous height of 49 meters and length of 275 meters - its condition, which is still very good today, is also impressive.
A trip to 12th century France awaits visitors to the Cistercian monastery in Sénanque near Gordes. Surrounded by waving lavender fields, you can explore the abbey, which is steeped in history, before continuing to the village of Gordes travels.
An idyllic mountain village. Ringsum tiefvioletter Lavendel und das Gold der Dinkelfelder. Ein tausend Jahre altes Château. Gordes gilt zurecht als eines der schönsten Dörfer Frankreichs! Provence-Reisende sollten von hier aus unbedingt einen Abstecher zu den Bories, the stone structures outside the village. Pssst: For those who find it too crowded in this popular village, move to the nearby Viens .
Avignon, the city of the popes, medieval Magnificent buildings and eventful history. It attracts with impressive buildings like the Papal Palace and the Ruins Bridge Pont Saint-Bénénzet on the Rhône as well as with dreamy alleys (such as the Rue de la Peyrolerie) and squares. A weekend trip to the largest city in the department of Vaucluse is always worth it.
Where the dizzying heights of the Limestone cliffs and the turquoise depths of the sea meet, you have arrived on vacation. The 20 kilometer langen Calanques zwischen Cassis und der Provence-Hauptstadt Marseilles sind wirklich ein Must-see! Im Sommer sind die Buchten nur über den Wanderweg entlang der Küsten oder per Wasserweg zugänglich. Besonders schön: die Calanque Port-Pin with its fragrant pine trees and the small sand and pebble beach.
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Inland, the small French village La Roque Alric , from its rocky outcrop, overlooks the surrounding hilly landscape of Provence. An ideal place for a break and a well-deserved glass of local wine. The ride highlight here is the enchanting Departmental road D90a overlooking the Dentelles, which begins in Lafare and ends in Le Barroux.
Less crowded than Nice or Cannes, but just as beautiful: Antibes. The coastal town is one of the oldest cities of the Côte d'Azur and, with its huge Marina Port Vauban , is a popular hotspot especially for sailors. After a leisurely stroll through the picturesque old town with its many colorful stores and a visit to the Picasso Museum, people meet in the evening to party in the nearby Juan-les-Pins.
The Grand Canyon of Provence - the Verdon Gorge in the Alpes-de-Haute-Provence department - is one of the largest canyons in Europe. Birdwatchers are just as attracted to the national park as kayakers, hikers or windsurfers. A dream come true!
So small and yet so impressive: the small town of Saint-Rémy-de-Provence. Next to the Roman ruins one explores Vincent van Gogh's past. The painter spent the last years of his life here and created famous works such as the "Starry Night". Also Nostradamus comes from the town with 1,000 inhabitants. Who knows - maybe that's where our future lies?
A hotspot for hikers, climbers and wine connoisseurs: A stone's throw from the massive Mont Ventoux the Combs of the Dentelles de Montmirail rise into the sky. The limestone cliffs of the mountain range look like a row of teeth that has gotten a little out of shape, but that is precisely why they make a good photo motif. At the foot of the Dentelles numerous villages and excellent wine villages nestle into the landscape.
Not only in the 1960s, but still today, the international jet setters travel to Saint-Tropez. Besides the numerous beach clubs, the Musée de l'Annonciade with works by Matisse, Bonnard and Signac is also worth a visit. If you like, you can hike during the day through the old town alleys up to the citadel with a view over the whole of Saint-Tropez. Even better: the coastal hiking trail Sentier du Littoral.
