Mmmm…imagine sunshine, the scent of lavender and rosemary, parasol pines, olive groves, sunflowers, and the Mediterranean…you are experiencing the South of France. But Provence and the Cote d’Azur offer much more than that. Think of hill towns, charming markets, art galleries, sailing, scuba diving, star-gazing (movie star that is), swimming and soaking up the sun, and of course, fine French food and wine; you’ll love it! If you are a golfer, look no further for some of the best courses on earth. Come to Provence and the Cote d’Azur to really appreciate the charm and beauty of France.

The South of France is legendary for its beauty and charm. The people here live a slower lifestyle than their Paris compatriots and it shows in their friendly approach to visitors and the care they give to their homes and beautiful gardens. After a week of sightseeing in Paris, we love to come to Provence to unwind and relax. Take in the markets and wander through the cobbled alleyways in the many quaint towns to experience life in the slow lane.

Every town in Provence has at least one weekly market; some have several. Here’s our list of the best markets in Provence.

Read on for a brief European travel guide of our favorite towns and cities of Provence and the Cote d’Azur. Each of the towns listed below are special in their own way; we love them all!

Aix en Provence

Called the Paris of the south, Aix (pronounced ex) is a chic and cultured city. Be sure to stroll down the main street – the Cours Mirabeau. Lined with arching Plane trees, the Cours hosts 17th century mansions and sidewalk cafes. This city is known for its beautiful and plentiful gardens and fountains.

Europe Travel Tip: don’t miss the Old Town area in the north part of the city where you will find an excellent market on Tuesday, Thursday, and Saturdays.

Apt

We came upon this town as we were driving through the Luberon looking for a hotel. After a late check-in at the Hotel de Luberon, we woke the next morning to the sights and sounds of the Saturday Market. This market goes for blocks and blocks throughout the town. You can buy just about anything here. I bought fabric to make a tablecloth and napkins, gifts for our grandchildren, food for lunch, and a hand-woven basket to carry all my treasures.

Europe Travel Tip: this market has it all… do not miss it.

Arles

Be sure to stop in Arles if you are anywhere nearby. This small city is teeming with Roman ruins and has one of the most well preserved Roman amphitheaters (1st century) in existence. Home to Van Gogh for many years, the city has honored him with a wonderful museum. The heart of the city is the Place du Forum, where a statue of Mistral looks over the outdoor cafes in the shaded square. Café de Nuit, made famous by Van Gogh’s like-named painting, is located right on the square. It is now called the Café Van Gogh.

Europe Travel Tip: We recommend the reasonably priced “art pass” for access to most of the museums and monuments in the city. The market in Arles is located on the ring-road on Wednesday and Saturday. It is considered one of the best markets in Provence.

Avignon

Once the seat of the Catholic Church, Avignon is home to the Palace of the Popes; a beautiful castle and cathedral located in the city center surrounded by lovely gardens. Be sure to visit the Petit Palace as well. Avignon is a sophisticated city with a university, abundant cafes and shops.

Europe Travel Tip: When in the Main Square, be on the lookout for tromp l’oeil painting on buildings (faux windows, flower pots, etc).

Bonnieux

Located at the top of a hill in the Luberon, this small town offers fine dining and impressive views. The scent of lavender and rosemary in the air give you the feeling that you are really in Provence. Great wines and excellent lavender honey is produced in this area. Our encounter with Bonnieux occurred on a summer night as we drove through the countryside with no particular destination in mind. We came upon this delightful little town that was hosting a small traveling carnival in the town center. It was a great opportunity to observe life in Provence and meet and talk with very friendly, welcoming families.

Cannes

We love Cannes. Situated on the shores of La Napoule bay, this glittering city exudes old world charm.

Europe Travel Tip: You will want to stroll La Croissette, the palm-lined promenade along the sandy shores of the Mediterranean. And you will be sure to notice The Hotel Carlton, a beautiful building worth a second and third glance.

The Camargue

More than 100 species of migrating birds, including flamingos, stop over in the Camargue. This marshland wilderness also hosts wild white horses and costumed cowboys.

Parc Ornithologique de Pont de Grau
This fabulous ornithological park is located beside highway D570 near Ste. Maries-de-la-Mer. Long paths circle out through the marshes away from the center, where you see nature as it should be with birds wading, fishing and flying, fish jumping half out of the water and muskrats swimming along the edges or crossing the paths in front of you.

Musée Camarguais
The Camargue Museum is located in the old “bergerie” Mas at Pont de Rousty, on highway D570 in the northern part of the park. The museum houses a geological and historical presentation of the Camargue, beginning with the formation of the Rhône delta 7,000 years ago, and continuing through the Antiquity and the Middle Ages.

Cassis

A small fishing town on the Mediterranean, Cassis is charming yet sophisticated. You can enjoy a delicious meal at several fine European restaurants, sit at an outside table and watch the world go by, or try your luck at the local casino. You may also want to take a boat trip to the Calanques. The Calanques are steep white cliffs jutting into the Mediterranean Sea.

Europe Travel Tip: Boat trips to the calanques are easy to arrange with tickets purchased from a little ticket booth on the bay. Boats depart every 15-30 minutes. This is a wonderful experience; do not miss it. Cassis also hosts a charming market on Fridays; try to visit if you can.

Grasse

The center of the French perfume industry, Grasse has a perfume museum and many fine perfume shops. It is an interesting town that tries to blend the old with the new, not always successfully. The surrounding countryside is filled with the fragrant scents of the flowers planted for their essence.

Les Baux de Provence

Les Baux de Provence, an exquisite hill town, consists of the “live city” with tourist shops and restaurants and the “dead city” carved out of rock at the very top of a hill. Louis XIII razed this city in1632.

Europe Travel Tip: Passing through the live city to get to the dead city will present spectacular vistas. It is well worth the climb.

Marseilles

Marseilles is a Provencal city with new-found vitality. The city boasts a 26-century-old port, a dynamic downtown with great shopping, big parks, a medieval-village-style neighborhood, and wonderful seafood. If you have a negative image of “industrial” Marseilles, a visit here will be a wonderful surprise.

Mougins

This is a lovely town whose centerpiece is the famed restaurant Le Moulin de Mougins by Roger Verge. But his restaurant is just one of many fabulous places to eat. I don’t think you can go wrong with any choice you make. This is another village perched on a hilltop that provides outstanding views of deep gorges, the nearby Grasse countryside and many adjacent villages glowing in the sunshine.

Nice

The capital of the Cote d’ Azur, and the fifth largest city in France, Nice is a gem. It is as sophisticated and elegant, as it is charming and quaint. Walk along the Promenade des Anglais for wonderful views of the Mediterranean and enjoy the galleries and boutiques amid the many grand hotels.

Europe Travel Tip: Be sure to visit the Old Town featuring the Chateau, Place Garibaldi, and the hanging gardens.

St. Paul de Vence

Yes, this is a tourist town, but it is so for the best reasons. This town is perched atop a hill with wonderful views of the countryside, the Mediterranean and the Alps. The streets are paved with river-rock in a delightful sunflower pattern. Walking into the main town, you will pass the famed Colombe d’ Or restaurant on the left and the boules court on the right. Spend a few minutes watching the boules players; it will give you an idea of the pace of life in the village.

Europe Travel Tip: Tourist shops abound, but there are some gems selling local products as well as some interesting art galleries. The Fondation Maeght is a modern art museum located nearby.

St Remy de Provence

This little town is abuzz on market day and a charming tourist town the rest of the week. It is set near the ancient Roman site of Glanum and is a great little town for walking, shopping and (of course) dining. There are several little museums to visit. One, The Centre d’ Art Presence Van Gogh, is dedicated to Van Gogh, who lived here from 1889-1890.

St. Tropez

Chic in the 50s, St. Tropez is still home to the artsy crowd. The seaside resort town is still very popular with tourists, and the younger movie in-crowd seems to have recently re-discovered its charms. Set on the lovely blue water of the Bay of Saint-Tropez, this modern version of a medieval town is most popular for the line of yachts along the quai, and the facing line of terrace cafés, divided by a parade of strolling tourists and slow cruising expensive cars.

Europe Travel Tip: Behind the cafés, the small streets and old buildings are picturesque, but they’re more popular for the multitude of shops and restaurants than historical significance. There are endless possibilities for buying gifts or items of proof that “you’ve been here.”