Provence and the French Riviera

The simplistically chic area known as Provence has become France’s Tuscany, at least in the minds of tourists. It is where you think of when you imagine simple but hearty French food, wine, and villagers. The area that is defined as Provence is in the southern portion of the country, bounded by the Rhone River to the west, the Alps to the east, and the Mediterranean to the south. The coastal region has its own distinction as the Cote D’Azur or the French Riviera.

 

Enjoying Provence to the fullest means meandering through villages and dining in rustic cafes. Thanks to early Roman settlements in the area, there are plenty of ruins to explore as well. Some of the most interesting towns are Avignon, Les Baux, and Arles.

 

The French Riviera is the glorious coastal region made famous by celebrities and socialites. With famous towns like St. Tropez, Cannes, Nice, and Monte Carlo (capitol of Monoco, its own country), this is where Europe’s elite go out to play. It is glitzy, glamorous, expensive, and lots of fun.

 

The primary activities center on the magnificent beaches with accompanying people watching, but a hefty portion of the area has ancient ruins to investigate as well. The ones in Nice are particularly noteworthy. Monte Carlo is famous for high-class gambling.