Guide to South of France

South of France

The south of France is famous for its amazing weather, sun, sand and sea, and has been romanticised as the place to be by travellers of the world. Marseilles and Provence are its famous areas, although as a whole, it is not very populous. With its hills, fields and country houses, the scenery is perfect and the weather is the icing on top. Being considered one of the most astounding locations in all of Europe, various artists have travelled to the south of France to draw inspiration from its landscape and atmosphere, including the likes of Van Gough, Matisse and Cezanne. Not only is it beautiful to the eyes, but it has a lot to offer in the form of outdoor activities and exciting wine tours, even though it is not a major wine producer in comparison to other parts of France.

Activities

If you wish to feel at one with nature, this is the place to be. The natural aspect of the landscape has been preserved to its best, meaning there are numerous flora and fauna to discover and learn about. The scenery typically comprises mountains, forests, rivers, lakes and waterfalls, free from commercial and environmental illness. Another feature loved by all are the sandy beaches which extend to great lengths, allowing visitors to throw away their fake tanning cosmetics and soak up some real sun.

For the more outdoorsy amongst us, the blend of mountains and rivers offers great potential for a range of sports. White water sports such as rafting, canoeing and kayaking can be carried out in one of the many gorges for some thrilling adventures, the Verdon gorge is known to offer an extreme atmosphere for this.

If you want to explore the scenery from a multitude of angles, get yourself some altitude by performing aerial sports such as parachuting, hang gliding and ballooning, often a couples’ favourite.

Another way to discover what mother nature has to offer in this part of the world is through horse riding, mountain biking or quad biking around the ranges. Rock climbing and potholing is also possible in mountains such as the Pynees. The same steep slopes become the host of snow sports in the winter, so there is something to enjoy at all times of the year.

There are some amazing beaches by the French Riviera. Just by the coast are a range of attractions including spas, casinos and other forms of entertainments. Another option is to challenge yourself to some water sports at the beaches including windsurfing, sailing, fishing and diving from one of the many wrecks past St Tropez. If surfing and body boarding takes your fancy, move over to the Atlantic coast where conditions are perfect to allow for some water-based fun.

If you need car hire in the south of france we can help. We will search multiple rental companies to find you the best deals.

Culture

There are many cultural attractions in the South of France as well. There is plenty to discover. A few medieval towns can be visited such as Carcassonne and Rocamadour. Also, dating back from the Roman period are some vestiges which are spread out all over the South of the country. Other cultural attractions include amphitheatres, bridges and thermaes, the most famous of which include the Pont du Gard or even the Bullring in Nimes. The Christian pilgrimage has always been of much significance in Lourdes, a town to the southwest of Hautes-Pyrenees, thus being considered a cultural landmark.

Aside from castles and villages that can be visited, explored and photographed, a more interactive experience can be obtained from one of the many flower markets and caves. Recommended ones are the flower market of Nice and the cave of Lascaux.

The locals living in the South of France know exactly how to celebrate and have a good party. One of their most popular celebrations, which coincides to some extent with Spanish culture is the feria. Dax, Bayonne and Nimes are the cities to be in for this annual wonder. It is characterised by the releasing of bulls into the streets, as well as outdoor bars with festive music being played in the streets.

Other forms of art are also displayed and celebrated throughout the year. Examples include the Festival International de Cannes, where cinema is adored and celebrated, Grand Prix de Monaco features Formula 1 racing and theatre and dance are the central feature of the Festival d’Avignon. The Carnaval da Nice is another festivity of colours not to be missed out on.

Such a diverse location has something to offer to everyone and so much more to discover. From the small towns like Orange and Arles to bigger cities like Marsielle and Toulon, there are medieval villages and breathtaking valleys as well as an admirable cultural richness and sumptuous cuisine.

 

 

 

1st for car hire France