From its herb-scented hills to its yacht-filled harbours, noother region of France fires the imagination as strongly as Provence.
The vivid landscape and luminous light have inspired artists and writersfrom Van Gogh to Picasso and from F. Scott Fitzgerald to Pagnol.

The borders of Provence are defined by nature: to the west, the Rhone; south, the Mediterranean; and north, where the olive treesend.
To the east are the Alps and a border which has shifted over the centuriesbetween France and Italy.
Within is a contrasting terrain of plummeting gorges, Camarguesaltflats, lavender fields and sun-drenched beaches.
Past visitors have left their mark. In Orange and Arles,the buildings of Roman Provincia are still in use.
Fortified villages like Eze were built to withstand the Saracen pirateswho plagued the coast in the 6th century.
In the 19th century, rich Europeans sought winter warmth on the Riviera,and by the 1920s, high society was in residence all year, and their elegantvillas remain. The warm sunlight nurtures intense flavours and colours. Peppers, garlic and olives transform a netful of Mediterranean fish intothat vibrant epitome of Provencal cuisine,bouillabaisse.

The image of Provence bathed in sunshine is marred only whenthe bitter Mistral wind scours the land. It has shaped a peopleas hardy as the olive tree, yet quick to embrace life to the fullest themoment the sun returns.

If you are interested in visiting Provence "� l'ancienne,"we have some information concerning boattrips on the Canal du Midi...