The heart of Provence is in the hills that bind the sea to the alps. These are the sloping vineyards; the cultivated lands and the colorful scenery that charmed Cezanne (Aix en Provence), Van Gogh (Arles), Chagall ou Giono...
In Provence or the Midi the local people have a soft singing accent which evokes their whole relaxed lifestyle. They have no greater pleasure after a hard days work than to enjoy a delicious and hardy meal shared with friends.....
This is the picturesque Provence of Pagnol, Raimu, and Fernandel.
Provence is is both picturesque villages in the hills and busy metropolises possessing international airports (Nice and Marseille). Provence is of course olive groves and lavender; but there are also the famous vineyards of Côtes du Rhône, Côtes de Provence and Bandol everything growing to the hum of the cicadas.!
Le Haut Var, with its old villages perched high in the mountains makes for quiet cool summer holidays. There is plenty of hiking in the Gorges du Verdon from Montauroux in the east or par Bargème in the north, Artignosc and Artigues in the west.
There are vast forests where one can discover truffles or mushrooms and sometimes even wild boars! For those who prefer fishing canoeing or swimming the many lakes, rivers and waterfalls should satisfy them.
L'Arrière-Pays Varois (INLAND) is the interior of the Var formed by hills and valleys, plantations and pine forests. Because of its very sunny climate, the agricultural production is varied and plentiful. There are 37,000 (approximately 90,000 acres ) of vineyards operated by 450 different vintners.
This land produces the most flowers of France. It's fruit, vegetables, honey (27,000 hives), lavender, thyme, and olive oil are the pride of the people who live in this region that extends from the Adrets de l'Estérel through Brignoles and on to Castellet.
Le Var : 300 km of shoreline on the Mediterranean Sea boasts of 300 km of shoreline on the Mediterranean Sea. Beautiful sandy beaches, wild cliffs plunging straight into the sea, balmy protected islands (lles d'Hyeres) are a tourist's dream.
One can visit well known beach resorts such as St Tropez (and maybe run into a movie star!), St Raphael, Ste Maxime, Bandol, le Lavandou, St Cyr.
There are new marina towns that are worth a detour (Port-Grimaud, Cogolin).
(Source : www.provenceweb.fr)
