Destinations > France > Provence & Southern Rhône
Provence & Southern Rhône
Aix-en-Provence, Avignon, Marseille, Arles, Cassis, the Camargue, Chateauneuf du Pape, Côtes du Rhône
Best time to visit: April-October
Go for this: Witness the wondrous sight of purple lavender fields in bloom and yellowish sunflowers; stroll through the enchanting alleyways of Aix-en-Provence, also called “Little Florence”; visit the magnificent Gothic-style Palais des Papes in Avignon; hike along the breathtakingly beautiful Calanques de Cassis; and taste the region’s refreshingly light Rosé wines.
But try this: Immerse yourself in the marshy wetlands of The Camargue, one of France’s wildest and most scenic landscapes, in a 4x4 jeep. Admire the vast open spaces that are home to pink flamingos, herds of black bulls with distinctive curved horns, and galloping white horses. Visit the Pont de Gau bird sanctuary and see thousands of flamingoes and wild birds. Here you’ll also find butterflies and mammals like coypus, weasels, foxes and badgers.
Favorite guest experience: Châteauneuf du Pape Wine Tour. Discover one of the most famous wine regions in the world and taste its superb wines with an expert private guide. With its characteristic pebbly soils, Châteauneuf du Pape produces some rich and complex red wines. The hilltop village is undeniably picturesque, with its imposing castle, atmospheric medieval streets, and magnificent views over the vineyards below. After the tour, enjoy some free time in this historic village focusing on the wine production since the early 14th century.
Favorite hotel: Villa Gallici, in the heart of Aix-en-Provence. An 18th century Provençal residence bathed in the soft light beloved by Cezanne. The hotel is set against an elegant Florentine garden, where cypress trees are reflected in the luxurious pool.
Favorite restaurant: La Villa Madie in Cassis. Boasting fantastic coastal views, this restaurant is renowned for its creative seafood and top-drawer ingredients like locally caught sea urchins, turbot and blue lobster.
Foods:
- Bouillabaisse (traditional Provençal fish stew)
- Gardiane De Boeuf (beef stewed in red wine, from Camargue)
- Loup De Mer (Mediterranean seabass)
- Olive Oil
- Nougat
- Calissons (traditional candy from Aix-en-Provence)
Wine - Varietals:
- Grenache
- Syrah
- Mourvèdre
- Viognier
- Marsanne
- Roussanne
Wine - Appellations:
- Côtes-du-Rhône
- Gigondas
- Vacqueyras
- Châteauneuf-du-Pape
Best time to visit: April-October
Go for this: Witness the wondrous sight of purple lavender fields in bloom and yellowish sunflowers; Stroll through the enchanting alleyways of Aix-en-Provence, also called “Little Florence”; Visit the magnificent Gothic-style Palais des Papes in Avignon; Hike along the breathtakingly beautiful Calanques de Cassis; and taste the region’s refreshingly light Rosé wines.
But try this: Immerse yourself in the marshy wetlands of The Camargue, one of France’s wildest and most scenic landscapes, in a 4x4 “jeep”. Admire the vast open spaces that are home to pink flamingos, herds of black bulls with distinctive curved horns, and galloping white horses. Visit the Pont de Gau bird sanctuary and see thousands of flamingoes and wild birds. Here you’ll also find butterflies and mammals like coypus, weasels, foxes and badgers.
Favorite guest experience: Châteauneuf du Pape Wine Tour. Discover one of the most famous wine regions in the world and taste its superb wines with an expert private guide. With its characteristic pebbly soils, Châteauneuf du Pape produces some rich and complex red wines. The hilltop village is undeniably picturesque, with its imposing castle, atmospheric medieval streets, and magnificent views over the vineyards below. After the tour, enjoy some free time in this historic village focusing on the wine production since the early 14th century.
Favorite hotel: Villa Gallici, in the heart of Aix-en-Provence. An 18th century Provençal residence bathed in the soft light beloved by Cezanne. The hotel is set against an elegant Florentine garden, where cypress trees are reflected in the luxurious pool.
Favorite restaurant: La Villa Madie in Cassis. Boasting fantastic coastal views, this restaurant is renowned for its creative seafood and top-drawer ingredients like locally caught sea urchins, turbot and blue lobster.
Foods:
- Bouillabaisse (traditional Provençal fish stew)
- Gardiane De Boeuf (beef stewed in red wine, from Camargue)
- Loup De Mer (Mediterranean seabass)
- Olive Oil
- Nougat
- Calissons (traditional candy from Aix-en-Provence)
Wine - Varietals:
- Grenache
- Syrah
- Mourvèdre
- Viognier
- Marsanne
- Roussanne
Wine - Appellations:
- Côtes-du-Rhône
- Gigondas
- Vacqueyras
- Châteauneuf-du-Pape
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