About the Provence-Alpes-Cote d'Azur Region: Provence is a mesmerizing land of beaches, mountains, cities, rich history, beautiful art, charming medieval hilltop villages and markets that are dazzling displays of color. Get all the basics on Provence, including the major cities, facts about Provence, how to get around Provence and where to stay in Provence.
Major Cities of Provence: The Provence-Alpes-Cote d'Azur region of France has an impressive number of major cities for urban enthusiasts. Nice is the second-largest city in France, and there are several other cities and popular tourist destinations concentrated in a small geographic region, including:
- Avignon, former home of the papacy and a charming southern city.
- St. Paul de Vence, a fortified hilltop village known for its art galleries and fine restaurants.
- Nice, a wonderful Riviera seaside city filled with shopping, restaurants and fabulous markets.
- Cannes, the place to hit the beach, the designer boutiques and people-watch.
Getting to Provence: Most people get to Provence by flying into Nice's airport, which is just five minutes from the city of Nice and a short distance to several coastal cities.
Another option is to get a Europe or France rail pass. Then, you can fly into Paris (which is much more likely to be a direct flight, and usually costs less) and take the train to Provence. Now that the TGV connects Paris and Avignon, the trip is dramatically shorter than driving.
If you really want to explore the smaller villages and countryside of Provence, consider renting a car.
Top Provence Attractions and Things to Do: One of the wonderful things about visiting Provence is the amazing diversity of attractions, whether your interest lies in art, shopping, open-air markets, unique cathedrals or simply lounging on the beach.
Where to Stay in Provence: Provence is blessed with an amazing diversity of accommodations. Here are some of the memorable, stand-out hotels in Provence:
- Hotel Windsor in Nice is modestly priced, has a central location a couple minutes' walk from the beach and the pedestrian zone. Each room has murals by artists, and the staff is among the best in France.
- Hotel Le Pigonnet is a lush four-star hotel in Aix-en-Provence featuring a beautiful garden and finely-appointed rooms.
- La Colombe d'Or in St. Paul de Vence is an upscale hotel ideal for lovers of art. If you wish to dine in the popular restaurant, book well in advance.
