DK Travel : Provence and Côte d'Azur

Provence’s top sights span the region’s rich and varied history, from Roman arenas, isolated abbeys, and the palace of the medieval popes, to the more recent opulence of the belle époque era and the glamorous resorts beloved of the 20th-century jet set. Sunsoaked beaches, pretty villages nestled among lavender fields and a mountainous hinterland have inspired generations of artists, and continue to enchant every visitor to the area.

Dawn of a Dynasty

In 1297 François Grimaldi, a supporter of the papacy in the Guelph-Ghibelline feuds which beset 13th-century Italy, seized Monaco and its castle to found the dynasty which still rules there today.
Dentelles de Montmirail

Trek from Sablet village up to St Amand, the highest point. Six hours (see A Day’s Drive in the Vaucluse Mountains).
Disco 7, Cannes

Loud and louche, Disco 7 attracts a mixed gay and straight crowd. Techno and transvestism make for a decadent atmosphere. Not for the faint-hearted.
Distilleries & Domaines de Provence

Home of Henri Bardouin, the connoisseur’s pastis . Like all pastis , Bardouin is based on star anise but here they add 50 other herbs and spices, many from the surrounding hillsides. The result is an apéritif more richly flavoured than better-known brands.
Diving, Embiez

Courses held in water rich with marine life.
Domaine de Beaurenard

The Coulon family have been established in Provence’s most famous wine village since 1695 – time enough to perfect their skills. The Boisrenard red is the proof. They also run the Musée du Vigneron, the region’s best wine museum.
Domaine de la Citadelle

Yves Rousset-Rouard was a film producer and a politician before plunging his fortune into this stylish set-up. The Côtes-deLuberon wines are treated with respect and the on-site Corkscrew Museum is unique.
Domaine de l’Aumérade

The quintessential Provence wine domain: the wines, especially the rosés, show true Provençal character. The visit also takes in a museum dedicated to the region’s traditional santon figurines (see Santon Figures).
Domaine du Rayol, le Rayol-Canadel

On one of the most magnificent sites on the coast, Rayol offers an overview of Mediterranean-style plant life. Gathered around a pergola and long stairway, a fine mosaic of eight gardens recreates landscapes of areas of the world with Mediterranean climates.
Domaine Rabiéga

In a wooded residential suburb, this Swedish-run domain has a fanatical and innovative attitude to wine quality. The Cuvée Clos d’Ière is among the most expressive of Provençal wines. The welcome at the cellar is both easy and relaxed.