Provence

Where landscapes and magical light create one of the world’ most evocative regions

France’s Provence has been called a bridge between the past and the present, where yesterday blends with today in a quiet, often melancholy way. The Greeks and Romans filled the landscape with cities boasting Hellenic theaters, Roman baths, amphitheaters, and triumphal arches. These were followed in medieval times by Romanesque fortresses and Gothic cathedrals. In the 19th century, Provence's light and landscapes attracted illustrious painters like Cézanne and van Gogh. Despite the changes over the years, the howling mistral, the legendary bone-chilling wind that blows through each winter, will forever be heard through the broad-leaved plane trees.

Provence has its own language and its own customs. The region is bounded on the north by the Dauphine, on the west by the Rhône, on the east by the Alps, and on the south by the Mediterranean. Many visitors travel to Provence specifically to dine, so do try some of the region's specialties, especially the salade niçoise, which essentially includes fresh vine-ripened tomatoes, small radishes, green peppers, potatoes, and green beans.

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