Region areas
Provence encompasses six departments in south-eastern France, bounded to the east by the Italian border, to the south by the Mediterranean Sea and the principality of Monaco, to the north by Rhone-Alpes, and to the west by Languedoc-Roussillon, with the Rhone river marking its westernmost border.
Alpes-de-Haute-Provence
Alpes-de-Haute-Provence is a mountainous region with peaks over 8,000 feet. The climate is very dry and arid, but irrigation allows for a prosperous fruit-growing industry. The beautiful scenery provides the background to many activities and sights. In summer many aerial sports use the surrounding mountains such as gliding, hang gliding and paragliding. In winter there is extensive skiing at eleven ski resorts.
Alpes-Maritimes
The present department was created in 1860 when the county of Nice was annexed. It was constituted out of the county of Nice and the district of Grasse in the department of Var. Alpes-Maritimes includes the famous French Riviera coastline on the Mediterranean Sea with the important towns and cities of Cannes, Nice, Saint-Jean-Cap-Ferrat, and Antibes.
Bouches-du-Rhone
The history of the area is closely linked to that of Provence. Marseille has been an important harbor since before Julius Caesar’s conquest of Gaul. The Roman presence has left numerous monuments across the department. The department is well represented in French art. Paul Cezanne painted numerous representations of the Mont Sainte-Victoire and Vincent van Gogh spent much of his life in Arles, painting many scenes in the area.
Var
The Var is a French department in Provence, in southeast France. It takes its name from the Var River, which used to flow along its eastern boundary, but which now flows into the Mediterranean further to the east. Var is mostly known for the harbor of Toulon(the main port of the French Navy), its seaside resorts(Saint-Tropez), for some fine examples of Romanesque and medieval architecture(Le Thoronet Abbey and Frejus Cathedral) and for its wines(particularly the wines of Bandol).
Vaucluse
Vaucluse is bordered by the Rhone to the west and the River Durance to the south. Mountains occupy a significant proportion of the eastern half of the department, with Mont Ventoux, also known as the “Giant of Provence”, dominating the landscape. Fruit and vegetables are cultivated in great quantities in the lower-lying parts of the department, on one of the most fertile plains in southern France. Important urban centers include Avignon, Orange, Carpentras, Cavaillon, and Apt.