Provence and Cote d’Azur
We have holiday villas and gites on the coast and inland in Provence and on the Côte d’Azur. There really is something for everyone in this beautiful and diverse area: hills and mountains, dramatic canyons, delta plains teeming with wildlife, and beautiful beaches, as well as hectares of vineyards and lavender fields, and enchanting villages, towns and cities…
Rental of self-catering accommodation in Provence or the Côte d’Azur gives you freedom to choose exactly how you spend your holiday. You can enjoy privacy and peace and quiet relaxing by your own pool, or you can explore some of the following:
Shopping
One of the joys of a self-catering holiday in France is that it allows you the opportunity to thoroughly enjoy your food shopping, and the markets and smaller specialist food shops ensure a truly cultural experience not to be missed. A
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Our favourite markets are:
  
Aix-en-Provence
A wonderful choice of markets throughout the week - local produce, flowers, antiques, books, shoes, clothes - everything you could wish for - unmissable!
Antibes
In the Cours Massèna at the heart of the old town is the food market with a superbly colourful range of vegetables, cheeses, meats, herbs and spices - every day except Monday. In neighbouring streets you will also find stalls with clothes, antiques and jewellery.
Cannes
The wonderful Forville market is open every morning except Monday. It is also very well placed, just behind the port, for a great selection of restaurants, which are open until late in the evening.
Our favourite food shops are:
Cannes The small food shops that line the pedestrianised rue Meynadier (off the rue d’Antibes) are well known for their delicious array of French and Provençal specialities, our agent Régine lives locally, and shops there regularly. As you will see from her photos, they are a visual treat even before you start shopping…..
  
Wines
If you are interested in wine, many of our French holiday villas in Provence are near excellent vineyards. Provence is the oldest wine producing region in France and an ideal venue for tasting at one of the many “caves”. When you see the sign "degustation gratuite" it means free tasting!
While you are on holiday in the south of France, why not choose a wine route and combine some sampling with sightseeing in this breathtaking landscape.
Our holiday gites and villas in the Var are well-placed for tasting the rosé Cotes de Provence. Further west, in the Vaucluse you can follow one of the many circuit de vins and try some of the great Cotes du Rhone reds near Chateauneuf du Pape or the Mont Ventoux areas. We have a good range of Provence holiday cottages in these areas.
For something really different that you won't find at home, visit a co-operative selling a very specific regional wine such as the Coteaux de Pierrevert appelation, from one of the highest altitude vineyards in France, sold at the Domaine de Régusse in the village. Nearby self-catering gites - see P205 A - K
Art
If you are an art lover, Provence and the Côte d’Azur is the ideal holiday destination for you. From your self-catering villa or apartment you can experience the landscapes, colours and quality of light that inspired so many artists, and you will have access to a wide variety of works of art by today’s artists as well as past masters.
The south of France has a great artistic tradition: Van Gogh painted many of his works near St Rémy and Arles. (In Arles you can follow the yellow arrows of the Van Gogh Walking Tour and stand in 10 different spots where the great artist actually set up his easel to paint.) We have some delightful holiday accommodation in St Rémy, see P339A - C.
The Paul Cézanne trail in Aix-en-Provence is a self-guided tour that takes your through the life of Cézanne, from his birthplace to his studio, where you can see his personal belongings, his tools and an unfinished painting sitting on an easel. If you are looking for a holiday villa rental near Aix en Provence, we have some superb Provence cottages within an hour's drive, see P249A.
There are wonderful art galleries in Nice (Matisse and Chagall) and Vence (Maeght museum of modern art). Why not stay in a villa with a private pool on the Cote d'Azur, with trips out to the local art galleries. We have a luxury villa at Vence C372A which sleeps 10 people.
A visit to Mougins is a must. Famous as the home of Picasso from 1967 until his death in 1972, there are more than 20 galleries to choose from where you will find work by contemporary artists. Our favourite Mougins villa is C90A which has a private pool and sleeps 5.
Beaches
  
When you’re on holiday in Provence or on the Côte d’Azur, a trip to the beach is sure to be on the agenda, whether to relax on a lounger and watch the world go by, bathe in the sparkling blue waters of the Mediterranean or try your hand at one of the many watersports on offer. Here is a selection of beaches in the area:
· Antibes
The beaches around Antibes are considered by some to be among the best in Europe, with their extraordinarily fine white sand. Our favourite beaches are Plage la Salis, a beautiful, long sandy beach (free) and Plage de la Garoupe, a small sandy beach in an unbuilt up area. There is a small free part or you can pay for loungers. There is a nice café/restaurant right on the beach. Holiday apartments to rent C390A and C331A are both in the old quarter of Antibes, ideally situated close to the beach, public transport, shops and restaurants – no need for a car.
· Mandelieu la Napoule
The bay of La Napoule, just to the west of Cannes has several attractive sandy beaches – the nearest are Plage de la Raguette and Plage de la Rague, which are both good for families. There is a succession of sandy beaches between here and Cannes, including the popular Plage de la Bocca and Plage des Dauphins. There are plenty of facilities for hiring water sports equipment. Our popular sea front holiday apartment C336A is close to the beach and all facilities.
· Cannes
There are lovely sandy beaches all along ‘La Croisette’ – the famous promenade. The ‘paying’ beaches (you pay for the use of a sun lounger or parasol) are close to the centre of Cannes, but there are free stretches of public beaches near the Palais des Festivals and to the west of the town, along the Plages du Midi and Plages de la Bocca. Remember to arrive early, as these beaches are popular with the locals as well as the tourists during the holiday season. Some of the hotels own sections of the beach where you can sit for free if you buy drinks. Stylish holiday apartment C385A is 150m from the beach, in a superb position for Cannes nightlife, shopping and restaurants.
· Nice
The beaches in Nice are pebbly and most are on the stretch between Rauba Capau and the airport at the other end of the Promenade des Anglais. There are about 15 private beaches separated by the public beaches. On the private beaches you pay for the use of a sun lounger, parasol and towel. You are not allowed to take your own food and drink on the private beaches, as you are expected to buy it from their cafés. The private beaches are fenced off, the public beaches are called ‘Plage Publique’. The best place to swim is Plage de la Réserve to the east of the port (public beach). Plage publique de Beau Rivage is also recommended. C115A is a favourite holiday villa rental, high up on the hill behind Nice, with magnificent views across the town to the sea from the rooftop terrace and private pool.
· Le Rayol
East of Saint Tropez, the beach at Le Rayol / Canadel sur Mer is rarely crowded, even in summer. There are bars which become nightclubs in the evening, and this is a great place for snorkelling, the water is so clear. C102A is a superb holiday villa close to the centre of Le Rayol, with private pool and sea views, just 300m a little sandy cove.
· Théoule sur Mer
6km west of Mandelieu la Napoule, the beach at Théoule sur Mer nestles at the base of the red rocks of the Massif Esterel – an enchanting setting. The beaches are sheltered and peaceful and lined with palm trees.
Villages of interest
  
Wherever you choose your holiday property in Provence or the Côte d’Azur, you won’t be too far from villages of interest; there are dozens of picturesque perched villages in the region which somehow have remained unspoilt. They usually have a central square with at least one good restaurant and cafés where you can sit and watch the world go by. You will often find sites of historic interest, captivating views, and sometimes a lively local market. A holiday rental in Provence or the Côte d’Azur will offer endless possiblilites to explore the captivating villages of the south of France.......
Here are some of our favourite villages:
· Lourmarin (Lubéron) - see P266B, and Mougins (near Cannes) – see C360A - both villages have many superb restaurants, you really are spoilt for choice.
· Montauroux (see holiday garden apartment C185A) and Villecroze (villa rental see C340A) are typical inland Var villages and have large, shaded squares, great for people-watching or for playing boules.
· Biot is an attractive and very popular village that actually dates back 2500 years, it is just 4km from the coast, and is famous for its glass blowing industry. If you are looking for a holiday villa rental near Biot we have something for every budget: C43A is a typical old town house in one of the little narrow streets and is one of our bargain holiday homes, and C335A is a luxury villa with magnificent views over the village.
· Cabris is perched 560m above sea level, and so enjoys fantastic views across the countryside to the Massif d’Esterel and the Mediterranean – on a clear day you can even see Corsica. Here you can admire the remains of the old castle, built in 997. Holiday apartment to rent near Cabris C383B
· Reillanne is a ‘real’ Provençal village, unspoilt by tourism. At its highest point, the clock tower and Chapelle de Saint Denys look down onto the Place de la Resistance, where the market takes place on a Sunday. P348A is a peaceful holiday villa, just 1.5km from the village centre.
Things to do on holiday in Provence and the Côte d'Azur
When you book one of our holiday villas and gites in France, we will send you information on what to do and see in your region, but here are some ideas to get you started:
- Explore the spectacular nature reserve of the Camargue delta plains on horseback or by bicycle (not too taxing as the altitude of this area ranges from 0 to 2 metres) and see the famous wild white horses, bulls and flamingos.
- Enjoy a high-level view of the architecture in Nice on a hop-on hop-off double decker bus . Nice Le Grand Tour departs every 30 minutes from the Promenade des Anglais. One day adult pass €18 (2008). Or discover Art in the City with a guided tour of the 14 works of art along the new tramway line, many of them lit up as night falls.
- L’Occitane de Provence, near Manosque: – free factory tour (natural skincare and perfumes) by appointment only. Workshops on essential oils, perfume making for children and hand massage.
- Le Lido, Avenue St Lazare, Manosque. Cinema showing the latest Hollywood blockbusters, dubbed in French, on its four screens.
- The Tropical Bird Garden at La Londe in the Var has many species of birds and rare plants in a botanical garden.
Family friendly holiday activities in Provence and Côte d'Azur
If you are looking for a child friendly holiday property in the south of France, we have a great selection. Here are some things to do and see that may appeal to families on holiday in Provence and the Côte d’Azur:
· Marineland at Antibes is a great favourite, incorporating marine life of all types to see, Aquasplash (water park), a wild west farm and adventure golf.
· Visit the Barben Zoo. Situated halfway between Marseille and Avignon, 5 km from Salon-en-Provence, this zoo has more than 120 animal species.
· The Planetarium and observatory in Aix-en-Provence is of interest.
· Water parks – Aquacity on the RN 543 at Pennes-Mirabeau near Marseille has a crazy collection of rides for all ages, a variety of food outlets and free parking. La Pyramide at Istres has a tidal wave swimming pool and water chutes. Aqualand is near Saint Cyr sur Mer,
· 300 crocodiles roam in a huge exotic greenhouse 10 minutes from the A7 motorway (Montelimar sud exit) at the Crocodile Farm,
· The Tortoise Village at Gonfaron, (about 100km east of Aix-en-Provence) is a non-commercial conservation project to protect the famous Hermann’s tortoise, and home to 2500 tortoises altogether and there is a Donkey Reserve just opposite the Tortoise Village.
· Evolution 2, Lac de St Cassien. Family adventure park for children aged 5 up. Via Cordata, also pedalos for rent.
· The Canyon Forest at Villeneuve Loubet offers excitement for children aged 8 up – canyoning and caving. There is a mini adventure park for children under 8 – they must be over 1m tall.
· Visit the Barben Zoo. Situated halfway between Marseille and Avignon, 5 km from Salon-en-Provence, this zoo has more than 120 animal species.
· The Nadine Patout perfume factory, Velleron is a “must” for teens. Match scents to your personality and create your own perfume.
· At Le Village des Automates, Le Cannat you will find moving models, animals, games and lots more.
Click on http://www.infoparks.com/flashan/r_parcs/france/index.htm for more ideas.
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