Fields of intoxicating lavender. Vibrant sunflowers stretching skyward. Vineyards. Olive groves. And an endlessly diverse landscape of mountains, fertile plains, marshlands and beach. This is a land that has inspired artists and enchanted travelers for centuries. With the Alps to the east, the Rhône to the west and the Mediterranean to the south, Provence occupies the southeastern corner of France. Port cities and quaint villages, filled with castles, abbeys, citadels and Roman ruins, give way to farmland and rugged mountainous terrain.

 

 

 

Provence is home to three charming and distinctive country inns by world-renowned restaurateur Alain Ducasse. They include the stylish

• Domaine des Andéols (Saint-Saturnin-lés-Apts) near Avignon,
• La Bastide de Moustiers (Moustiers Sainte-Marie), and
• l’Hostellerie de l’Abbaye de la Celle (La Celle).

Blessed with a warm Mediterranean climate and plenty of sun, Provence produces an extraordinary array of fruits and vegetables, and its regional cuisine makes the most of this bounty. The vineyards of the Rhône Valley and the Haut-Vaucluse produce some of the world’s most famous wines. Village markets abound with colorful produce, fragrant herbs and blooms, farmhouse cheeses, honeys and other local fare that can be tucked into a picnic hamper and enjoyed al fresco during a leisurely amble through the countryside.

 

The cities and towns of Provence have much to offer the visitor. Cosmopolitan Marseilles, a major port on the Mediterranean, is both the capital and the largest city in the region. Aix-en-Provence has a rich artistic legacy and counts Cezanne among its most famous sons. The ancient city of Arles is renowned for its association with Van Gogh, who completed as many as 300 paintings, including some of his most famous works, during his yearlong sojourn there.

 

The former papal seat, Avignon, on the left bank of the Rhône, is home to the famous Avignon Festival, which draws as many as 100,000 visitors each summer for theatrical, dance, music and cinematic events. Formal performances are held at Festival In, within the Palace of the Popes, while the more bohemian Festival Off is a showcase for street performances and less traditional fare.

The Var region is known for its great natural beauty, with a diverse landscape of mountains, coast, plains and valleys. The spectacular Verdon Gorges, a deep canyon carved by the Verdon River, is a popular destination for hiking, kayaking, rock climbing, paragliding and a host of other outdoor pursuits. At its entrance, against a dramatic backdrop of soaring cliffs lies the medieval village of Moustiers, world-renowned for its traditional faïence pottery.