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From the coastal paths to mountain tracks inland, Provence could have been created for walkers. Strollers may amble around bays or along woodland paths, while serious hikers can take to the National Hiking Trails (Grandes Randonnées or GR) which criss-cross the region.

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.

For some of France’s finest, toughest rock climbing, head for the Buoux cliffs in the Luberon (see Parc Naturel Régional du Luberon), the Verdon Gorges, with 933 routes (see Grand Canyon du Verdon) or the creeks between Marseille and Cassis (see p66). Easier conditions can be found in the Dentelles de Montmirail (see Les Dentelles de Montmirail).

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.

The classic trip is to canoe down the Verdon Gorges – a two-day, turbulent, 24-km (15-mile) trip from Carrejuan Bridge to Lac de Ste-Croix (see Lac de Ste-Croix). Slightly calmer spirits might prefer canoeing La Sorgue, from Fontaine-de-Vaucluse (see Fontaine-de-Vaucluse).

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.

The finest golfing can be found at the Frégate golf course, St Cyr, where the sea views are sensational (see Golf). Other courses offering good golf in lovely surroundings include the Golf de l’Esterel at St Raphaël, the Ballesteros-designed Pont-Royal at Mallemort and Golf de Châteaublanc outside Avignon.

The marked trails, up and down mountains, through vineyards, forests, gorges and creeks, are endlessly inviting. Figanières is a key centre in the Upper Var while the Alpes de Haute-Provence has some 1,500 km (900 miles) of marked tracks.

Frequent winds make the Var and Bouches-du-Rhône coasts ideal for board folk. As the Mistral whistles across the Camargue, so windsurfers take advantage at Les-Saintes-Maries-de-la-Mer and Port-St-Louis (see Les-Saintes-Maries-de-la-Mer).

The exhilarating sport of descending torrents and canyons by abseiling, jumping and swimming has taken off big time. Try it in the Roya valley near Saorge or in any of 70 sites in the Ubaye and Verdon valleys. There are easier descents for beginners in the Pennafort and Destel gorges.