Explore The South Of France With Provence Tours

By Maryanne Goff


The south of France has long been a favorite among the jet set. It's not without reason that the world's premier film festival is held in Cannes on the French Riviera. The Mediterranean climate makes this part of the world the perfect destination for a summer break. If you need some time away from the gorgeous beaches and want to see more of the region, it's a good idea to book one of the Provence tours offered by travel companies.

Provence is the region that covers the south-eastern part of France. The Rhone River forms its western border while the region extends eastwards all the way to the border with Italy. It also stretches southwards to the coastline known as the Cote D'Azur.

Marseilles is the major port in the region and the starting point for many tours. Many tours also include cities like Aix-en-Provence, Avignon, Arles and Nice. You can go on a day trip of the region but it's better to spend a little more time here to see the charming little villages dotting the breath-taking landscape.

A general tour is a great introduction to the region but you may also want to consider a themed tour to focus on only one aspect of Provencal life. Since it's one of France's important wine regions, especially for the production of rose wines, a wine tour here is a must if you're an oenophile. Include a trip to a pastis distillery as well if you can, so that you can try the local anise-flavored liqueur.

Many of the world's top chefs cite Provence as a favorite for its variety of fresh produce and its rich culinary tradition. This is, after all, the birthplace of dishes like bouillabaisse and ratatouille and people here are so serious about food that at Christmas, they traditionally serve no less than thirteen desserts. You may want to get some Provencal herbs from the local market and go on a food tour that will tantalize your taste buds.

For an olfactory sensation, try a perfume tour. The little medieval town of Grasse is the heartbeat of the perfume industry and the surrounding area is fragrant with the smell of roses, jasmine, lavender and other flowers. You may visit some of the traditional perfumeries here and learn how fragrances are made.

If your interests lean towards art and culture, be sure to book a special cultural tour. You may want to explore the ancient Roman ruins or hunt for the locations of movies like 'Jean de Florette'. The Arles area is especially known for one-time resident Vincent Van Gogh and there are tours in which you can follow in the tortured artist's footsteps. A literary tour can take you to the places that inspired writers like Colette, F Scott Fitzgerald and Robert Louis Stevenson while you may also see the places immortalized in paintings by Paul Cezanne, Henri Matisse and others.

Several companies offer a variety of Provence tours. A quick search online will guide you to a package that suits your needs and your budget. Any good travel agent will also be able to create a tailor-made package especially for you. All you need to do is enjoy the journey and save up for that chateau, because once you've visited the region, you'll want to stay forever.




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