Explore the real hidden gems of Provence

Enjoy the calm and remote beaches, explore the Mediterranean fjords and untouched mountain scenery and experience the unique atmosphere Provence has to offer. We have many Luxury Holiday Villas with private pool in Provence from where you can explore this popular and famous area!

Getting to Provence could not be easier – many airline companies fly to Marseille, Avignon or Toulon-Hyeres. You can also get the high-speed train, TGV, which only takes approximately 3h 15 minutes from Paris to Marseille. All the major car-hire companies are situated at the airports so why not hire a car for your holiday in Provence.

Summers are busy in Provence but if you want to visit the area when it’s less crowded, try April/May or September/October. The weather is lovely during those months and you get to experience more since there are less people and less traffic. We have a choice of Holiday villas in Provence with availability in spring/autumn – have a look at our Provencal holiday property selection.

Here are the top 5 hidden gems in Provence you can visit during your stay in the area:

Les Calanques

Known as the ‘Mediterranean fjords’, les Calanques are only a short drive away from Marseille. These limestone cliffs are 12 000 years old and they plunge into the Mediterranean sea. Starting from the coast of Marseille and ending to Cassis, there are 24 calanques, or inlets, on this 20-kilometre stretch of coast. The most popular inlets are the ones closest to Marseille and Cassis since it is easy to access them. However, if you want peacefulness and solitude, try the inlets that are a bit further away. Some of the calanques can only be accessed by foot or a boat so make sure you’re wearing some good hiking boots! Have a look at our Luxury Holiday Villas with private pool close to the Calanques, namely the Vacation Villa in Cassis.

Les Dentelles de Montmirail

The Dentelles de Montmirail are a small chain of mountains in the Vaucluse department and this traditional and peaceful corner of the region is perfect for a few days of relaxation. The foot of the Dentelles is surrounded by vineyards and there are multiple wine domaines in the area to visit and do wine tasting. It is a spectacular area offering climbing and biking and feels ‘untouched’ even if it is close enough to big towns. Book your Holiday Villa in the Vaucluse, South of France, and explore the beautiful Dentelles de Montmirail! Have a look at Le Ventoux - it sleeps 6-7, has a private swimming pool and is only a short drive away from the Dentelles. If you are looking for a bigger villa, try Mas Colombiere which sleeps 10 people and is located in the heart of Provence. 

Les Dentelles du Montmirail

Les Alpilles

One of Van Gogh’s favourite places in the world, the Chaîne des Alpilles is a small range of mountains situated 20km from Avignon. The beautiful traditional Provencal villages in the area are the perfect location for a relaxing day, or if you are the sporty type you can climb up the mountains and admire the stunning view from the top. Our beautiful Mas Olives sleeps up to 10 people and has superb views of the Alpilles mountains!

Les Alpilles

Camargue

Best known for its white horses, black bulls and flamingos, it is also the area where Provence has it's own 'cowboys'. It is considered to be the largest river delta in Western Europe and covers parts of the territory of the commune of Arles. The landscapes in the Camargue are very unique and different compared to rest of the South of France – discover Camargue yourself and stay in the luxurious Villa Nadege, situated close to the Camargue. It sleeps 12 people, has a heated private pool and stunning views. Have a look at Artists House too - a large family villa close to the Camargue with a swimming pool, sauna, small gym and a snooker table. 

Le Panier, Marseille

Marseille’s Old Town, Le Panier, is a charismatic part of the city. Surging up from the Vieux Port, it was once condemned as an overpopulated underworld but has now some of Marseille’s brightest artists, designers and craftspeople. The best way to explore this part of the city is by foot – there are excellent crafts and designer shops as well as some great art galleries for you to visit. There are many restaurants and French bistros to enjoy lunch or experience the beautiful evening light when the sun comes straight down the street making this part of the city look absolutely magical. Le Charité Café is a great place to visit – it has a peaceful terrace and is the perfect little bistro if you want simple lunch.  If you are looking for a place for dinner, try La Virgule – one of the best restaurants along the Northern edge of the Vieux Port. It has an outdoor terrace and it offers amazing views of the Old Port and Notre Dame de la Garde. Our Villa du Jardin is situated close to the beautiful Aix-en-Provence, only about 25 minutes from Marseille! It sleeps 8 and is the most charming Provencal villa.

Le Panier, Marseille

If you would like to find out more about any of the featured properties above, or any of our other holiday villas in the South of France, Corsica or Morocco, please don't hesitate to get in touch!

UK: +44 (0)20 70 60 64 14

France: +33 (0)4 67 36 05 54

email: info@southfrancevillas.com

The Appeal of the Camargue - Wildlife, the Knight's Templar & the Wild West

At first the Camargue doesn't sound so appealing. Originally a marshy wasteland, good for nothing except the extraction of salt - it is now a productive agricultural region, hosting an abundance of amazing wildlife and attracting one million travellers each year.

 Ever since the Knights Templar established themselves here, a subtle human influence upon this unruly land has allowed it to blossom into one of the loveliest natural settings in France. Yet despite the years of taming by the human hand, there is still the feeling that things are wild and uncontrolled here. From the mysterious shifting colours of some of its signature wildlife* to ancient legends and relics, the Camargue captivates those who venture here



This French version of the Wild West is relatively young, despite that the cowboys and bullfighting seem to be such a concrete part of the local culture. Less than one hundred years ago, the region re-invented itself. Farmers transformed themselves into Camargue cowboys, reviving the local economy and creating a new cultural lifestyle for the region. 

 The bulls themselves have roamed the area since the time of the Romans but have become especially popular since bullfighting was cultivated in the region. Those who wish to turn their passion for the bulls into a profession can study the art of bullfighting in the region. Arles is home to a bullfighting school where about thirty young students learn the basics of bullfighting each year.


                                        















One of the main attractions on the area is the protected wetland and marine area, called the 'Parc naturel régional de Carmague' (the Regional Nature Park of the Camargue). 

 More than 400 species of birds make this area their home, including flamingos. About 10,000 flamingo pairs live in the lagoons of the delta. There is a pink pigment in the plankton which they eat - it is this delicious snack which gives the birds their striking pink colour.


Most of the park is closed to traffic, so the best ways to get around are by bicycles or horseback tours. We particularly recommend the horseback option - because you won't be riding just any horse! The Camargue is home to the Camargue horse - they are a species unique to the area and the the only known descendents of prehistoric horses that roamed Europe during the Palaeolithic period. Horses are available for the day from stables along highway D570 between Arles to les Saintes-Maries-de-la-Mer.

Speaking of Les Saintes-Maries-de-la-Mer - we definitely recommend that you pay this town a visit during your stay in the area. It's like Mediterranean seaside resorts were 70 years ago; quiet and gentle with unspoilt and uncrowded beaches. It will be interesting particularly those interested in History or Christianity. 

 According to legend, this is the cradle of Christianity in Western Europe. It is said that three Marys - Mary Magdalene, Mary Jacobé, Mary Salomé - and Sarah, their servant, sailed to this town after the crucifixion of Jesus and settled here, bringing the story of Jesus with them.

 Relics of the Saints can be found in the church. The town has become a major destination for pilgrims and each year there is a big festival in celebration and memory of the women. 

 For those who are of a secular inclination, it is still a charming town to visit. In the early twentieth century it became a literary and artistic centre, with visits from creative people such as the writer Ernest Hemingway and the painter Picasso. The film industry took advantage of its natural beauty, using it as the setting for various films.

Les Saintes-Maries-de-la-Mer -- Van Gogh

The best times to visit are in Autumn and Spring, as you will avoid the worst of the tourists and mosquitoes. Autumn is an especially good time because the bird population swells as birds fly south to Africa for the impending winter.

You can experience the region's beautiful scenery via film - these movies were both set in The Camargue:
'Crin Blanc' ('White Mane') - a 1953 children's film which won the Cannes Film Festival's Grand Prize
'Friends' - Filmed in 1971, with a soundtrack featuring Elton John

* Shifting Colours? Some of the wildlife here changes colour! The Flamingoes lose their pink hue and fade to white if they don't eat enough plankton and the famous White Camargue horses are brown or black when born, gradually becoming white after a few years.

Where to stay?

We have several fantastic luxury holiday villas nearby. Please visit our website and browse our holiday villas in Provence. If you would like any assistance in choosing a charming villa for your holiday, please don't hesitate to contact us!

Contributions by Katarina Byrne

History and Art in Arles - Van Gogh, International Photography Festival & Roman Architecture

Arles is a great destination for art-lovers. Vincent Van Gogh was famously a resident in Arles. He may have only spent about a year in the town, but it had a profound effect on him. 

 During his time here, he produced over 300 paintings and drawings - and it was here that he established the distinct post-impressionist style for which he is known. What was it about Arles that attracted Van Gogh? He loved the local landscape and the people who lived there and the vibrant colours produced by the bright Provencal sunlight.

You can visit many sites around Arles which actually inspired Van Gogh. There are 10 easels placed at the same vantage point of his original works. You can get a map at the Tourist Information office showing you where each easel is located -- or you could turn it into a bit of a scavenger hunt and try to find all 12 on your own!



You can also visit the Cafe which he frequented. It may be slightly over-priced, but it's worth it to grab a coffee and bask in the atmosphere which drew Van Gogh to the establishment.



There's more to Art in Arles than the legacy of Van Gogh, however! 

The city is also famous for a fantastic international Photography Festival which has run every summer since 1971. The Festival is opening this weekend (Saturday, July 3rd, 2010) and running until mid-September. You can find out more at this website (available in English - click the British Flag at the top of the main page). There are also several museums which are worth a visit. The Arles Folk Museum is particularly interesting, providing an insight into the tradiitons and culture of the region.

As well as being a cultural centre, Arles is also an important historical city. The Roman architecture is beautiful and many of them have now been World Heritage Listed. In many cases these remains have been well preserved. In fact, even after 2,000 years, the amphitheatre is still in use today! During the summer months it hosts bullfights, and it is open for tours all year. The bullfights are definitely a must-see. They often have Provençal-style bullfights at the arena -- those who are uneasy at the idea of a bullfight might prefer this style. In the Provençal-style, the bull isn't killed. Rather, a team of athletic men attempt to remove a tassle from the bull's horn without getting injured.



A nice day trip from Arles would be to visit the Camargue. You can read more about this enchanting region in one of our earlier blog posts.

For a range of beautiful, charming and luxurious villas near to Arles and elsewhere in the south of France visit our website www.southfrancevillas.com