The region is flanked by the Alps to the north, the Mediterranean Coast to the south, the Rhône River to the west and the Italian border to the east. It is home to 4.3 million people, the majority of whom live in the coastal towns and in the valleys of the Rhône, Durance and Var rivers. The northern edge of the region includes the lower range of the Alps: Monts du Vaucluse, Monts du Lubéron, Alpes de Provence, Montagne Sainte-Victoire (painted by Cézanne), Massif des Maures and Monts du Mercantour.
"Provence" usually refers to the coast and hinterland from the Rhône to the Var rivers, while French Riviera (or Côte d’Azur) is defined by the boundaries of the Alpes-Maritimes département, from the Var Valley to Italy.
Camargue, the Region's most original area.
In the heart of the Rhône River delta is the 215,000-acre Camargue, a territory reclaimed from the water that has been preserved in its natural state and is probably the region’s most original and romantic area. Herds of wild horses and bulls––the stars of Provençal bullfights––are now kept in ranches called manades and tended by the guardians, the cowboys of Carmargue. Rice fields and salt marshes are the extent of local agriculture. The area is a bird sanctuary where some 180 different species have been identified, including pink flamingos, herons, ibis, wild ducks and geese. The former fishing village of Saint-Tropez is not only a mecca for the international jet set but has gained its own place in the exclusive list of sailing capitals of the world with the Rolex Challenge Med Race.
One of the world's favorite places.
Tourism is indeed PACA’s most important business, but not the only one. Other industries include shipbuilding in La Ciotat, perfume in Grasse and ceramics in Vence as well as in many villages in the lower Alps. The medieval village of Les Baux-de-Provence, a citadel perched on a rocky outcropping, affords a far-reaching panorama of the lavender fields and olive groves that carpet Provence, the Rhône Valley, Camargue and the lower Alps. The area gave its name to bauxite, which was discovered there in 1822.
Local agribusiness’ best-known output is olive oil, of course, but magnificent fruits and vegetables are not only consumed locally but also shipped to the rest of France and abroad.
PACA includes the following six départements:
- Alpes de Haute Provence (04)
- Hautes-Alpes (05)
- Alpes Maritimes (06)
- Bouches-du-Rhône (13)
- Var (83)
- Vaucluse (84)
Main cities:
- Marseille. Located on a unique site, this 2,600-year old city has retained its distinct character while adapting to modern times.
- Nice. Bracketed between flowering hills and the spectacular Baie des Anges, the capital of the French Riviera is studded with over three dozen historic monuments.
- Toulon. Home to the largest French Navy arsenal.
- Aix-en-Provence. The old capital of Provence has retained its 18th -century character.
- Avignon. City of art and culture on the banks of the Rhône River.
- Antibes. Its star-shaped fortress is home to a Picasso Museum.
- Cannes. The elegant and cosmopolitan city that hosts the annual International Film Festival.
- Arles. France’s largest municipality in terms of acreage, this gateway to Camargue was famously painted by Van Gogh.
- Grasse. Capital of France’s fragrance and flavoring industry.
- Gap. Situated at PACA’s northern edge, this city has a distinct alpine environment.
- Digne. Spa town located at 2,000 feet in the lower Alps.