What's On: Thursday 1 October 2009

A two hour guided walk, offered by the tourist office, exploring the 'des abris sous roches' the shelters built into the rock faces. The first homes of the area dating back 1000-2000 years. 6€ per adult and free for children under 10. Please contact the tourist office on 04 92 83 23 03 to book your place.

Guided tours of the L'Occitane Factory are available though reservation at the Greoux-les-Bains tourist office by phoning 04 92 78 01 08. The tour group is limited to a maximum of 20 and leaves from the L'Occitane boutique next to the factory.

Nature walks for children in French and English on Thursdays from 15:00-17:00. For 5-8 year olds. Priced at 8 euros, with drinks and snack included. Please contact the Tourist office on 04 92 74 67 84 for further information.

Visit to the Prehistoric Museum at the Gorges du verdon in Quinson. Open all year round from 10:00-18:00. Special entry rates for families. Further information is available by visiting the website or contacting the museum on 04 92 74 09 59.

A virtual and multimedia initiation into the artworks of Picasso and Cezanne presented in three langages ( French, Spanish and English) at the Musee Granet, Place Saint Jean de Malte, in Aix-en-Provence. For further information please contact cezanne-picasso2009@aixenprovencetourism.com or the museum on 04 42 52 87 97.

Each night from Wednesday to Saturday, this wine bar come jazz venue hosts a different live performance. Other musical genres also feature, see website for the line-up. The Clos des Magnans is centrally situated at 24, rue Felibre Gaut. Tel: 04 42 59 36 62 for reservations.

The Tastevin wine-tasting group invites all AAGP and non-AAGP English speakers to join them once a month on a Thursday evening for a fun evening discovering wines and cheeses from all over France. The evenings are informative, but mainly sociable. The meetings are generally held every 3rd Thursday of the month between 7 and 10pm. Each member is asked to contribute 25 € per tasting to cover the cost of wine, cheese and bread. For information on joining the group please contact Ilia Kalogroulis at iliak@bigfoot.com or on 04 42 92 51 55.

A monthly book club meeting to discuss, analyse and read the monthly book selection. At the Book in Bar English bookshop stocking range of fiction, non fiction and children's books. 4 rue Joseph Cabassol, in Aix-en-Provence. Tel: 04 42 26 60 07 for further information and dates.

A monthly poetry meeting for you to share your favorite poets with a group and apreciate those of others. Choose one or several of your favorite poets to read to the group and discuss afterwards or you can even bring your own poetry. At the Book in Bar English bookshop, 4 rue Joseph Cabassol, in Aix-en-Provence. Tel: 04 42 26 60 07 for further information and dates.

Yoga Vinyasa classes held by an American teacher in English and French. Tuesday and Thursday from 20:30-21:30, Sunday from 10:00-11:00. At 3 traverse Notre Dame, in Aix. Relaxation classes with live music held on the last Sunday of each month. Please contact Julie Frazier for further information on 04 42 64 08 87 or at soeurjulia@yahoo.com .

Live bands perform every Thursday night from 21:30, featuring Irish music, pop-rock and variety. At Paddy Mullin's on the Avenue Clemenceau. Free entrance. Tel: 04 90 49 67 25.

Above the plain to the northeast of Arles, the Saint-Peter abbey was founded on the "Mount Majour" (the big mountain) in 948. Until 1790, Benedictine monks lived there according to the rules of Saint Benedict of Nurcie. On the Route de Fontvieille in Arles. For further information please call 04 90 54 64 17. For tour reservations please contact the Arles office du tourisme on 04 90 18 41 22.

Every Thursday morning at 10:30, the Poterie Ravel opens its doors to visitors for a complimentary guided tour of the terra cotta pottery factory. Follow Ravel signposts from centre of Aubagne. Call 04 42 82 42 00 for further information.

The 10th annual Sea festival with over 200 marine events along the Bouches du Rhone coastline, organised by the Office de la Mer. Cultural events, children's entertainment, sporting and sailing events. Please see the website for a full program of events. Information: 04 91 90 93 93 / septembreenmer@officedelamer.com

A exhibition paying homage to Picasso through projections, light and music. At the Cathédrale d'Images. Open daily from 10:00-18:00. For further information please contact 04 90 54 38 65.

The Language Apero, organised by MAABN (Mediterranean Anglo-American Business Network), is an English-speaking business networking event which takes place on the last Thursday of every month from 18:30-21:00 at La Bo[a]te, 35 rue de la Paix-Marcel Paul, in Marseille. The entrance fee is 5 euros for MAABN members and 10 euros for non-members. RSVP and/or for further information, please contact the MAABN at contact@maabn.fr or on 06 73 37 75 96. For further information on forthcoming events please see the website.

The 10th annual Sea festival with over 200 marine events along the Bouches du Rhone coastline, organised by the Office de la Mer. Cultural events, children's entertainment, sporting and sailing events. Please see the website for a full program of events. Information: 04 91 90 93 93 / septembreenmer@officedelamer.com

Marseille's annual fair with over 1400 exhibitors in the Parc Chanot, parc des expositions and the Palais des Congrès in Marseille. Entertainment, concerts, professional information and new product launches. Open from 10:00-19:00 weekdays, from 10:00-20:00 on weekends and specially until 23:00 on Friday October 2. Entry €7.50; children under 12 free. Tel: 04 91 13 89 00.

The Piscine Frais Vallon is a public swimming pool at Avenue de Frais Vallon, in Marseille. Swimming lessons for children available. Closed Sundays. For further information please contact 04 91 61 01 78.

Off the coast of Marseille lies the château d’If, better known for the legends attached to this picturesque site than for its military importance. The site is most well known as the site of Alexandre Dumas’s novel, "The Count of Monte Christo. Open for guided visits through reservation at the Office de tourisme de Marseille by phoning 04 91 13 89 00.

The 10th annual Sea festival with over 200 marine events along the Bouches du Rhone coastline, organised by the Office de la Mer. Cultural events, children's entertainment, sporting and sailing events. Please see the website for a full program of events. Information: 04 91 90 93 93 / septembreenmer@officedelamer.com

Festival with over 200 artists from Provence showing and selling their work. Information: 04 90 92 05 22.

All 'Ladies of the Var' are very welcome at IWCV coffee mornings. A non-profit, English-speaking Association providing a range of social, cultural, sports and charity activities for women of all nationalities and age groups who live or spend some time in the Var region of Provence. Every second Thursday from 10:30–12:00 at the Café St Eloi in Callas. Please check the date with the Bargemon area co-ordinator Marion Maguire on 04 94 76 72 89 or email coxhill@btinternet.com .

Permanent antiques market at Les Carmes. Tel: 04 94 77 03 57.

Brocante market at the Place de l'Eglise, in Grimaud. For further information please contact 04 94 55 43 83.

A children's attraction park with special kid's entertainment organised throughout the year. Picnic area and restaurants, as well as over 800m² of kids activities. For children from 2-12 years. For further information please contact 04 94 57 68 93. At avenue de l'Aéroport in Hyeres.

An adventure park with acrobatic fun course set in a forest for children aged 4 years and up. At the Jardin de Cesar et Leonie, 721 chemin du Jas de la Paro in Le Muy. For further information please contact 04 94 45 11 43. Open from April to November.

The Thoronet abbey, a Cisterian monastery founded in 1146 by the Tourtour monks. Open all year round, except for public holidays. Guided visits available. For further information please contact 04 94 60 43 90.

Learn Ceroc and dance the night away every Thursday night at Salle Bernard Revest, on the port of Les Lecques, under the restaurant "Le Mirador". Ceroc is a modern, sexy and easy to learn partner dance that comes from the UK. The evening starts with a beginner's class at 20:00, followed by a dance party until 22:00.

A mini-golf course open to all the family. 18 holes near the sea-side. 5 - 6.5€ per person. Open all week from 14:00. At boulevard du Général de Gaulle, in Saint-Raphael. For further information please contact 04 94 82 39 03.

For anyone who wants to paint outside around the Gulf of St Tropez. Meetings every two weeks, no reservation required. Free event, except costs for boat excursions. For details contact Cathy Wood, Tel: 06 18 70 45 64 or e-mail: cathy.wood@wanadoo.fr.

The regional natural reserve of Luberon presents a rich and diverse range of flora and fauna. Open to explore all year round from 10:00-18:00. At 60 place Jean-Jaures, BP 122 in Apt (84). Telephone: 04 90 04 42 00. Futher information is available from Apt tourist office.

Avignon Sienne, an exhibition of the artistic heritage of Simone Martini, an influential Italian painter from the 12th century. At the Petit Palais d’Avignon. Open everyday except Wednesday from 10:00-13:00 / 14:00-18:00. Guided visits available upon request. Please contact 04 90 86 44 58 for further information.

An exhibition of photographic portraits of famous artists taken by Robert Doisneau. Open daily from 13:00-18:000, except Mondays, at the Musée Angladon, 5 rue Laboureur, in Avignon. For further details please contact 04 90 82 29 03 or visit the website.

Botanical garden exhibition at the Musée Requien, 67 rue Joseph Vernet in Avignon. Open every day except Sunday from 10:00-13:00 / 14:00-18:00. Free entry. Information: 04 90 82 43 51 / musee.requien@mairie-avignon.com

A behind the scenes visit of the Pope's Palace welcomes visitors to seldom-seen nooks and crannies in the palace. Hidden corridors, private apartments, the baths, the wardrobe tower, the treasury and other rooms usually off limits to the public are opened and explained. Tour held on Saturday at 12:30 and Sunday at 10:30 in French via reservation. Information: 04 32 74 32 74

A large maze open every summer during July and August on the Route de Crillon le Brave in Bedoin. Open daily from 10:00-19:30. For further information please contact 06 71 49 79 64. 6.50 € entry fee and free entry for children under 5.

A classical music festival showcasing a variety of international artists. A full program of concerts is available on the website. Information: 04 90 30 36 00.

A photographic exhibition displaying aerial shots of the flora and fauna of Mont Ventoux. At the Centre de Decouverte de la Nature, in Sault. Open from Monday to Friday from 10:00-12:00 / 14:00-18:00. For further information please contact 04 90 64 13 96 or cd.nature@orange.fr.

A kids fun park for 2-12 year olds. Open all year round during school holidays, Wednesdays and week-ends. Jumping castles, giant toboggans, obstacle course, maze and more. Open from 10:00-19:00. 7€ entry fee. for further information please contact 04 90 31 83 01.

Electric assisted bike hire for the whole family. Quartier du Rolland in Villes sur Auzon. Open daily from 8:30-11:00 / 17:00-19:30. Please contact 04 90 11 72 65 for further information.