Über Land

Destination spotlight: Provençe

Our trip across Provençe has so far had two main focuses, we were in the west and the east of the region. In the middle you will not find anything different from the areas we visited, which is why I naughtily left them out.

We are also here with our caravan on the road. If you don't want to travel with a tent or small camper on vacation, you should have a good look at your destination on the net before booking and also call to check it out. There are large and small hotels in a considerable selection. - But also the camping friend should be careful, because the choice of campsites for a caravan of 8 m x 2.50 m melts away quite quickly.

Whether I'm driving along mountain passes, sunbathing on the beach or bustling around weekly markets, Provence and the Côte d'Azur are sun-kissed and seductive. Two thousand years ago, Provence was part of Roman Gaul, and the Romans left behind fabulous monuments, structures and buildings – not to mention some of France's oldest vineyards.

This region is littered with Roman remains, including an amphitheatre in Arles, a theatre in Orange, numerous bridges, one of which is particularly beautiful near Bonniuex, and even entire towns near St-Rémy de Provence and Vaison-la-Romaine. It boasts an impressive collection of prehistoric sites, medieval abbeys, elegant churches and Art Deco houses. And so Provence begins to feel like a living history book.

Art aplenty

It wasn't just the landscape of Provence that attracted legendary painters such as Van Gogh, Cézanne and Picasso, with its rolling lavender fields and rustic villages perched on hilltops; it was the light that Matisse described as ‘soft and tender, yet brilliant’. Whether you gaze out over the sun-sparkling sea or watch the fiery sunset over the hills, a trip to this corner of France feels like stepping straight onto an Impressionist's canvas. And with such a rich artistic heritage, it's no surprise that this area is home to outstanding art collections, not to mention the studios where Van Gogh, Cézanne and Renoir worked.

Landscapes to dream about

Provence and the Côte d'Azur are perfect for explorers of all ages. One of the charms of travelling to this region is driving along the back roads into the hinterland and soaking up the immense beauty and diversity. There are lavender fields, old olive groves, mountain roads winding along the slopes and, at the right time of year, snow-capped mountain peaks. Here you will find France's deepest gorge, its oldest road and some challenging mountain passes that make the dreams of passionate drivers come true. And then there is the Mediterranean itself: a glistening blue mirror reflecting the rugged cliffs, white beaches and endless sky.

Provençalischer Genuss

No matter where you go in Provence, you won't go hungry. Food is one of the central things in French life, but in Provence it becomes a refined passion. Dominated by the hallowed ingredients of Mediterranean cuisine, olive oil, wine, tomatoes and garlic, food in this region is always a highlight. And you don't have to look far to find them – there are small and large restaurants everywhere, and I came across some very good ones and some terrible ones. So it's the usual mix, but the chances of ending up in a bad restaurant are pretty slim.

Destination spotlight: Côte d'Azur

The name was coined by the poet Stéphen Liégeard, who published a book entitled La Côte d’Azur in 1887. The Côte d'Azur is named after its azure blue waters. The term ‘French Riviera’ is synonymous with it. In addition to being home to many prominent personalities and numerous retirees, the French Riviera has been a popular holiday destination for French and foreign tourists since the 18th century.

The coast awakens desires: for long sunny days, magnificent beaches, picturesque villages and beautiful nature. Here we find world-famous places such as Cannes, Nice and Grasse, the world capital of perfume, and a hinterland that stretches to the Maritime Alps.

The hinterland of Grasse has a few surprises in store. In addition to remote villages surrounded by nature, you will find exquisite world-class culture in Mougin and Tourette-sur-Loup, where sweets are made using flavours extracted from rose petals, for example.