Aix-en-Provence
A a wonderful choice of markets throughout the week - local produce, flowers, antiques, books, shoes, clothes - everything you could wish for - unmissable!
http://www.provencelive.com/practical/daily/market/default.html

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 jewellry.
http://www.antibes.co.uk/markets/

Provence is the oldest wine producing region in France and therefore an ideal venue for tasting at one of the many “caves”.

Why not choose a wine route http://www.provence.guideweb.com/circuits/winesroute and combine some sampling with sightseeing in this breathtaking landscape.

Our houses in the Var are well-placed for sampling the rose Cotes de Provence. Further west in the Vaucluse you can follow one of the many circuit de vins and sample the reds near Chateauneuf du Pape or the Mont Ventoux areas.

 

 

Art

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.) http://www.tourisme.ville-arles.fr/

Throughout the region there are picturesque perched villages which somehow have remained unspoilt. They usually have a central square with cafés and at least one good restaurant.

Here are some of our favourites:-: Lourmarin (Lubéron) and Mougins (near Cannes) both have many superb restaurants, you really are spoilt for choice.
http://www.provenceweb.fr/e/alpmarit/mougins/mougins.htm
Montauroux and Villecroze are typical inland Var villages and have large, shaded squares, for playing boules.

Beaches

Antibes
Plage la Salis beautiful, long sandy beach (free).
Plage de la Garoupe small sandy beach in 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.

Mandelieu
Mandelieu La Napoule has an attractive beach. There is a succession of sandy beaches between here and Cannes.

Cannes
La Plage du Midi. Near the old harbour. Good beach café.

Nice
Most of the beaches in Nice are pebbly. The best place to swim is Plage de la Réserve beyond the port.

Activities for everyone

Explore the spectacular nature reserve of the Camargue 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. http://www.beyond.fr/sites/camargue.html

Visit the Zoo de la Barben http://www.zoolabarben.com Situated halfway between Marseille and Avignon, 5 km from Salon-en-Provence, this zoo has more than 120 species.

The Nadine Patout perfume factory, Velleron is a “must” for teens. Match scents to your personality and create your own perfume.

Click on http://www.infoparks.com/flashan/r_parcs/france/index.htm for more ideas.