Local Tourism Notes

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Local Tourism Notes

The staff at most tourist offices are able to speak competent English. You will find them very helpful with all tourism questions as well as questions on public transport and more. If you're in need of some help, they're always worth asking.

Tourist Offices are also able to provide general information on their area, much of it as appropriate to the resident as to the visitor. If you want to know about fairs, markets, concerts and other events in your area the Tourist Office is bound to have information, brochures and flyers.

• To find listings of all local tourist offices in the south of France see The AngloFILE: Provence Tourist Offices
• See the website of the French Government Tourism (in English).
• Regional Tourism authorities have comprehensive websites in English: see here

Getting to Provence

• To find out about airports in Provence, flight information, access or lost luggage, see this AngloINFO INFOrmation Page:
  Provence Airport Contacts
• To find out about airlines flying to Provence see The AngloFILE Airlines, Scheduled Flights & Charter

Where to Stay

From the luxury hotels to self-catering holiday accommodation directly on the seafront, or Chambre d'Hôtes in Provençal villages, here you can find out about various types of accommodation available to in Provence.

• See the INFOrmation Page on Holiday Accommodation Options to find out more about the type of accommodation available in France
• See The AngloFILE for Hotels & Holiday Accommodation

Provence for Children

There are a number of activities for children in Provence: amusement parks, theme parks, zoos and water parks.

• For more information see The AngloFILE Children: Days out for Kids

Days out in Provence 

There is a wealth of variety of places to go, mountains to climb, sights to see and foods to taste. Here is a small selection.

• For more ideas on places to visit, see The AngloFILE Days Out: Trips & Tours

Gorges du Verdon

A well known natural sights of Europe, this canyon was formed by the Verdon river which runs through it. In places the gorge reaches depths of 700 metres. The most impressive part lies between the towns of Castellane and Moustiers Ste-Marie. There are many dramatic viewpoints including the Balcons de la Mescla, just beyond the Pont de l'Artuby, and the Point Sublime. The artificial lake of Sainte Croix de Verdon lies nearby.

• For further information on the Gorges du Verdon see the Alpes-Hautes-Provence website 

Hilltop Villages in the Luberon

In Provence the Luberon valley stretches from Avignon and to the east. Most of the area is a National park (Parc du Luberon website)

Villages to visit include Les Baux-de-Provence, Gordes, Fontaine de Vaucluse, L'Isle sur la Sorgue, Ménerbes, Bonnieux and Roussillon.

Porquerolles, Port Cros and the Ile du Levant

Porquerolles is the largest of the three islands off the coast of Provence and covers 3,000 acres. The island was put under the protection of the French National Trust in 1988. Places to visit include the house of the National Park, Garden of Palm Trees and the Fort Sainte Agathe. The best way to get around is by bicycle. 

• For further information see the Island of Porquerolles website and the Centre Departemental d'Information Geographique website

The whole of the Port Cros island is a nature reserve, and vehicles are prohibited. Port Cros has a small village area with cafés and tourist shops.

• Port Cros National Park website

The Ile du Levant attracts a considerable number of nudists in the summer in the western part of the island, Heliopolios. A large part of the island is occupied by the Marine Nationale, and access is forbidden. 

• Ile du Levant website

St-Tropez

Seaside town famous for its jet setters and mega yachts, St-Tropez is one of the most popular resorts in Europe. It is also one of the most beautiful bays along the French Riviera. Places to visit include Place des Lices, the 18th century church and bell tower and the Musée de l'Annonciade.

• St-Tropez Tourist Office website

Regional Tourist Offices

Regional tourism authorities have comprehensive websites in English providing much useful information. 

The main Tourist offices are:

Official local tourism authorities have comprehensive websites in English providing much useful information for a tourist to the region.

The region of has an official website Decouverte PACA

The main Tourist Offices are:

• Alpes de Haute Provence Tourist Office
  At: 19, rue Docteur Honorat, 04005 Digne les Bains
  Tel: 04 92 31 57 29
  Fax: 04 92 32 24 94
  e-mail
  Website
• Marseille Tourist Office
  At: 4, la Canebière, 13001 Marseille
  Tel: 04 91 13 89 00
  Fax: 04 91 13 89 20
  Website
• Comité Départemental de Tourisme du Var
  At: 1, bd Foch, 83003 Draguignan
  e-mail
  Website
• Avignon Tourist Office
  At: 41, Cours Jean Jaures, 84000 Avignon
  Website

Selected tourism websites:

• French Web Portals (in The AngloFILE)
• Provence Tourist Offices (in The AngloFILE)
• French Ministry of Tourism The facts about tourism in France (in French)
• Maison de la France International guide to tourism in France
• Tourism in France