The South of France is known for its outstanding natural beauty and popularity amongst tourists and no area is quite so spectacular as Provence. It is one of the most popular regions in France and is widely known for the stunning countryside which stretches between the Mediterranean coastline and the imposing French Alps. This ever changing landscape brings its own beauty to the area and provides visitors with a wide array of activities and things to do and see.

The Provence region is home to some of the most stunning cities, including Marseille and Avignon as well as the ever-popular French Riviera area. With the mixture of countryside, mountains, cities and luscious beaches there truly is something for everyone in the family. So if you are looking to go on a summer holiday to the south of France, book a holiday Villa in Provence, read this short, handy guide and get out to explore the best that the region has to offer.

Lavender Field Provence, France

Marseille

Marseille is the second largest city in France, behind Paris, and is always bustling with activity from tourists and locals alike. It is home to some incredible historical sites and is steeped in Roman history and examples of Roman architecture. The Old Harbour is a fun place to go and watch the local fisherman go about their daily business and see the day go pass. There are also some magnificent churches and museums that are waiting to be explored more by those culturally interested families. For those that cannot get away from football, you may be able to plan your visit to the city to coincide with an Olympique de Marseille, who ply their trade in France’s top league at the picturesque Velodrome Stadium.

Avignon

Located north-west of Marseille and away from the coast is the picturesque town of Avignon. Home to Le Palais des Papes, which used to house the 14th century popes after they fled Rome, Avignon is the place to go and see examples of exquisite gothic architecture. As a very cultural town, there are a number of good museums and whether you are interested in art, history or even something a little more niche, it is a good bet that Avignon will be able to serve up just what you were looking for. Avignon is also famous for its markets, you can head over to the flea market to hunt down a bargain or wonder across to the world famous food market to put together a delicious picnic for a long, leisurely family lunch in one of the many public parks.

French Riviera

You cannot visit Provence without at least a day trip to the stunning Riviera region. You have the more famous resorts such as St Tropez and Monaco, but there are a number of fantastic lesser-known spots for you to explore as well. Grasse is famous for its perfumeries and Biot is known for glass blowing, both are well worth a visit to experience these fascinating arts. The French Riviera is also home to the Cannes Film Festival, held annually it attracts hundreds of influential and well known people from the film industry, as well as thousands of tourists wanting to catch a glimpse of the stars.

French Alps

Known more for their divine clean beauty throughout the winter and predominantly for the famous ski resorts, the French Alps are in fact one of the more beautiful spots all year round.

The Alps

A real draw for those wanting an active holiday with numerous mountain biking and hiking trails available. You can also try your hand at mountaineering and paragliding, or even head into the white water rapids for an afternoon rafting. If you need you fill of adrenaline, the Alps can certainly provide it throughout the summer months.

Article provided by Mike James, an independent content writer in the travel industry working with a small selection of companies – including South France Holiday Villas, who were consulted over the information in this piece.