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France
Provence Côte d'Azur

Provence is a region situated in the sunny south-eastern corner of France. The real Provence stretches from the perfume-city of Grasse to the east all the way to the Rhône valley to the west, and from the high Alps to the north, to the Mediterranean to the south. Even though it is not geographically correct, the French Riviera is today also considered a part of Provence. The region contains the following departments: Bouches-du-Rhône, Vaucluse, Var, Alpes-de-Haute-Provence as well as Alpes-Maritimes. Furthermore, we have decided to include the departments of Drôme and Ardèche in the region of Provence-Côte d´Azur, as many of our holiday homes are situated near the natural border of Provence-Côte d´Azur.

En savoir plus sur Provence Côte d'Azur Toutes les locations de vacances - Provence Côte d'Azur

Provence is without comparison the most beautiful region in France, and its historic past is just as rich as its landscapes are varied. Few regions in France have witnessed a so varied and turbulent history; few areas have so many outstanding historical remains as Provence; and very few areas of the former Roman Empire – Provence was the Romans’ first province in Gaul - have retained so many historical monuments as Provence.

Provence represents the quintessence of imposing natural scenery. Tall slim cypresses, gnarled olive trees and pine trees with large parasols dominate the landscape. But nature can also be rough with bare wild mountains and deserted areas. To the north the Alps rise with their fortified villages perched high in the mountains - and the further north you go, the higher are the snow-covered mountains. In the south you will find everything so characteristic of Provence: soft, verdant mountains, lush plains with fruit plantations, mimosa and lavender, olive groves and the famous vineyards of Côtes du Rhône, Côtes de Provence and Bandol, vast woodlands with pine trees, cork oak and chestnuts, idyllic villages, impressive medieval monuments, the long coastline with the famous Riviera cities, the beaches, the marinas with the huge yachts, the exquisite villas, luxury hotels - and all the fashionable life.

Provence is well-known as the kingdom of the sun. Statistically speaking, you can count on having 300 sunny days a year, and less than 800 mm of rain. But when it rains, it really rains. In the winter the temperature is normally around 7°C inland and 11°C on the coast, but inland it can often fall below 0°C for shorter periods. On the Côte d’Azur the temperature can easily reach 15°C or more in the winter. In the high season the temperature can rise to 28°-35°C, somewhat less, though, on the coast. In general, winters are mild and sunny, summers hot and dry. Briefly, Provence has a temperate climate whilst the Côte d’Azur has a sub-tropical climate with relatively higher temperatures in winter and relatively lower temperatures in the summer.

Briefly, Provence has a temperate climate whilst the Côte d’Azur has a sub-tropical climate with relatively higher temperatures in winter and relatively lower temperatures in the summer.

In Provence there are two strong winds, the Mistral and the Scirocco. The Mistral is a cold wind which is generated when cold air from northern Europe hits the Alps on its way south and then, with strong force is pushed through the Rhône valley out into the Mediterranean. The velocity of the wind can reach big heights but the weather is always very clear and the visibility excellent. It is mostly in the late autumn and early spring that the Mistral blows. The Scirocco is a warm humid wind which in summer blows air from the Sahara up over the Mediterranean. When the Scirocco blows a sand-coloured rain falls.