Provence Cottages

Holiday Cottages in Provence

Welcome to Provence   

In the south-east Provence is perhaps one of France’s most diverse regions and a self catering country cottage in Provence means you’ll often be sat within strolling distance of scenic slopes, rolling lavender fields and olive groves; vineyards, Roman remains, glittering marinas and sandy bays.  One of the most visited regions of France and a superb location for your country cottage- whatever you’re looking for you’ll find it in Provence.

To the west is Bouches du Rhône, including the little mountains of the Alpilles, which fall to the flatter lands and the banks of the Rhône and Durance rivers and superb Carmague Natural Park with its iconic white horses on the fabulous Rhône Delta.  You’ll find beautiful and historic towns and villages including Saint-Rémy, beloved of Van Gogh and surrounded by wild flowers, cypresses and olive groves;  the fortress at Tarascon plus wonderful Baux de Provence with its medieval citadel and Renaissance houses. A town of art and history Arles is a ‘must see’ along with vibrant port of Marseille and lots of bustling smaller market towns including Aix-en-Provence.  Top seaside resorts include the sandy beaches of Saintes-Maries-de-la-Mer.

Vaucluse is lavender growing and wine making country and often the retreat of celebrities who’re looking for a bit of peace and quiet!  Avignon is a spectacular city with its bridge and Papal Palace, plus Orange with its Roman antiquity.  Valleys of forests, towering limestone hills with scenic hilltop or ‘perched’ villages to explore, the area is also home to the effortlessly beautiful Natural Park of Luberon, made famous by Peter Mayle’s bestseller A Year in Provence and the film Jean de Florette.

Things to do in Provence

Explore the UNESCO World Biosphere of the Camargue and experience a glimpse of the traditional bull herders’ life, see superb wild life and the semi-wild Camargue horses.  A fantastic region for walking and cycling, from the more challenging hikes in the Alpilles to coastal walks and circular village routes it’s the best way to enjoy and experience this wonderful countryside.

The beaches of Provence are a wonderful place to relax and enjoy plenty of watersports.  Check out Saintes-Maries-de-la-Mer and Le Grau-du-Roi – there is also a leisure lake at Apt that caters for great fishing and windsurfing. Golfers too will find bags of great greens and beautiful views on the many courses, including the Luberon Golf club and Marseille la Salett Golf Course with its tennis facilities and swimming pool.

All the family will love canoeing down the scenic river Cèze.  Take a picnic and a swim suit for a whole day’s worth of gliding past glorious scenery!  Mountain bikes too can be hired if you’re looking for a more adrenaline fuelled day out.  Art lovers follow in the footsteps of artists like Van Gogh and make a beeline for Saint-Rémy, plus Glanum near Saint-Rémy – possibly the most complete Roman town in France established in the 1^st century BC and quite breathtaking. Alres is a UNESCO world heritage site and also boasts fabulous Roman antiquity, museums and galleries.  Out and about don’t miss the vibrant town of Isle-sur-la-Sorgue, reputedly one of the best places for antiques in France, check out its popular riverside Sunday market.

For family fun and cooling off choose from the wide range of theme and water parks including Aqualand at Les Pennes-Mirabeau near Marseille with its chutes, ‘tidal wave’ swimming pool rapids and dodgem boats plus Magic Land for all the fun of the fair!