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.

La Croisette, Cannes

Cannes’ esplanade is a great place for shopping or window-shopping, with famous labels such as Chanel (appropriately, at No. 5) Christian Dior (No. 38), Celine (No. 24), Louis Vuitton (No. 44) and Cartier (No. 57).
La Domaine des Coudelières

A 19th-century farmhouse, with a gîte and four bedrooms, decorated in Provençal style.
La Farigoule, Vence

Unpretentious restaurant with an array of seafood, meat and vegetarian dishes.
La Ferme de Gerbaud, Lourmarin

The farmstead specializes in herbs, aromatic plants and plants used for dyes. Discover the entire process.
La Fête en Provence, Vaison-la-Romaine

Surrounded by medieval walls and lovely gardens, the terrace is a great spot to appreciate the Provençale cuisine of Jean-Claude Altmayer. Taste the duck foie gras fried with spice.
La Fourchette, Avignon

Much favoured by Avignon folk for its country inn style and treatment of Provençale classics, like bœuf en daube (see Daube).
La Garde-Freinet

Nestling amid forests of cork-oak and chestnut, La Garde-Freinet stands sentry to the wild Maures Mountains. Higher still are the ruins of the medieval village fortified by Saracens.
La Garoupe Beach, Cap-d’Antibes

Between them, Antibes and Juan-les-Pins have 25 km (16 miles) of coast and 48 beaches, slotted into rocky creeks or opening out into sandy expanses. The prettiest is La Garoupe, on an inlet of the peninsula. It’s highly fashionable and, in summer, very crowded – but with good reason.
La Joie de Vivre

This 1946 work is one of Picasso’s most important from his Antibes period.
la maison sur la sorgue

We have just returned from a delightful stay at La Maison sur la Sorgue. The house itself has been beautifully and luxury restored, without losing any of its original Provencal charm. with charming hosts, who guided us on things to do and see and even offered us an aperitif! The breakfasts are delicious and very elegantly presented. A great stay in a wonderful town.

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Hotel price categories

For a standard, double room per night (with breakfast if included), taxes and extra charges.
- under €100
- €100–150
- €150–250
- €250–350
- over €350
Restaurant price categories

For a three-course meal for one with half a bottle of wine (or equivalent meal), taxes and extra charges.
- under €30
- €30–€40
- €40–€50
- €50–€60
- over €60