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If dinosaurs and fossils are your thing, this park in the limestone country around Digne is the place to head for. It’s the largest of its kind in Europe, covering 1,900 sq km (730 sq miles) of rock, rich in fossils from ancient seas and tropical forests dating back 300 million years.

Almost all the coastal resorts have well-equipped pleasure ports and cater for both the beginner and the experienced. The islands of Porquerolles and Bendor (see Offshore Islands) have renowned sailing schools.

This vast artificial lake (see Lac de Ste-Croix) offers all sorts of boating, from pedalo through to dinghy. It’s also an access point for canoe trips up the gorges.

The richness of marine life, clear waters and a sprinkling of wrecks all draw divers to the Mediterannean coast. The Iles d’Hyères are noted for their seascapes and for the underwater “discovery trail” on Port-Cros (see Scuba-diving, Port Cros). Cavalaire and Marseille remain, however, the best known and best equipped centres.

An underwater guided path. Hire flippers, snorkel and a mask, make for Le Palud beach and follow the buoys to discover posidonia, coral, mother-of-pearl and brightly coloured fish. It is vital you call the tourist office before setting out.

Anglo-American Lawrence Johnston was a leader among expats who left their mark on Riviera gardens in the early 20th century. His hillside spread is so well landscaped, it barely seems structured at all. Terraces harbour enclosed spaces dedicated to themes or particular exotic plants, and there are fountains, water-gardens and a collection of statues.

Skiing is concentrated where Provence and the Alps meet. In the Ubaye valley, Pra-Loup, Le Sauze and Super-Sauze offer international-standard facilities as, in the Allos valley, do La Foux and Seignus. Meanwhile, there’s family-standard skiing on Mont Ventoux – notably at Mont Serein.

Long, wide, sandy and safe, the main beach at St-Aygulf, near Fréjus (see Fréjus Old Town), has the additional advantage of being in a Nature Preservation Area. This protects the Etangs de Villepey – great, wild, freshwater lagoons on the other side of the road, where 217 different bird species have been noted. A beautiful setting.

A short ferry ride leads from the crowds of Cannes to this island owned by Cistercian monks. The presence of the monastery seems to discourage more brazen holidaymakers so the pretty rock outcrops and tiny beaches remain calm and, unusually for Provence, under populated.

A landscape of lagoons, marshes, wild bulls and Europe’s only cowboys (see The Camargue).