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Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur
This region is ideally situated between the Mediterranean coastline and the Alps. Its location and climate are attractive. Extraordinary scenery combined with a rich historical past of exceptional archaeological and architectural interest, together with a multitude of celebrations and festivals, make it an exciting area to visit. Every city, town, village and resort is adequately equipped to accommodate and cater for the needs of the tourist trade whether in top class hotels or on camp sites.
The French Riviera-Côte d'Azur stretches along the Mediterranean at the foot of the last outcrop of the Alpine chain. Thanks to its southern situation, the proximity of the sea, the full southern exposure and, above all, to the screen of high mountains which protect it from the cold continental winds, it enjoys an exceptionally high winter temperature. Its privileged position means that the slopes are covered with tropical vegetation : orange and aloe, cactus and eucalyptous, rose-laurel, bougainvillea and mimosa.
Capital City: Marseille.
The region encompasses the following six departments in south-eastern France:
Alpes de Haute Provence (04). Capital: Digne-Les-Bains.
Eleven of its villages have been classified as having special architectural character. In particular there are Sisteron (citadel), The Gorge of Verdon (Grand Canyon, see below), Moustiers-Sainte-Marie (pottery), ...
Hautes Alpes (05). Capital: Gap.
The Durance river flowing through Haute Alpes has been dammed to create the largest artificial lake in Europe: the Lac de Serre-Ponçon (see below).
Alpes Maritimes (06). Capital: Nice.
Alpes-Maritimes includes the famoua French Riviera coastline on the Mediterranean Sea with the important towns and cities of Cannes, Nice, Saint-Jean-Cap-Ferrat and Antibes.
Bouches du Rhône (13). Capital: Marseille.
The department features the famous Camargue (the land south of Arles between the two arms of the Rhône Delta and the Mediterranean Sea, see below) and Alphonse Daudet’s windmill in Fontvieille.
Var (83). Capital: Toulon.
Home to the glamorous towns of Saint-Tropez (see below), Port-Grimaud and Cavalaire.
Vaucluse (84). Capital: Avignon.
Vaucluse is one of the most beautiful areas of Provence with its craggy peaks, sweeping lavender fields, countless vineyards, dramatic perched villages and endless sunshine.
Principality of Monaco (98).
Monaco is a constitutional monarchy and principality, with Prince Albert II as the head of state. The House of Grimaldi has ruled Monaco since 1297.
This regions lists 18 “most beautiful villages of France”, of which:
Gassin (Var) 
Les-Baux-de-Provence (Bouches du Rhône) 
Moustiers-Sainte-Marie (Alpes de Haute Provence) 
Roussillon (Vaucluse) 
more on http://www.les-plus-beaux-villages-de-france.org/fr/taxonomy/term/20
Market days in:
Digne-les-Bains: Wednesdays and Saturdays morning.
Marseille: Marché des Capucins, Place des Capucins, everyday 8am-7pm: fruits, fish, food.
Marché du cours Thierry, Cours Joseph Thierry, everyday 8am-1pm: fruits, food.
Marché des halles Delacroix, rue Halles Delacroix, everyday 8am-7pm: fish market.
Marché du cours Julien, Cours Julien, everyday 8am-1pm: stamps (Sundays), fruits, vegetables, flea market, flowers (Wednesdays and Saturdays), books, ...
Marché du Prado, Castellane and roundabout of Perrier Boulevard. On Wednesdays, Fridays and Saturdays 8am-1pm: food, fish, flowers, vegetables, fruits, olives, cheese, spices, ...
more on http://www.marseille-sur-web.fr/adresse/marches.php
For other cities, go to http://www.provence-hideaway.com/303.html
For Christmas markets, go to : http://fr.franceguide.com/special/fetes-de-fin-d-annee/PACA-Les-marches-et-foires-de-Noel.html?NodeID=1422&EditoID=199013
Traditional events:
Easter Féria in Arles: coming up on 22-25 April 2011. Famous corrida event and Abrivados (bulls running in the city)!
Fête du Mimosa: takes place in Mandelieu la Napoule (Alpes Maritimes), during Mardi Gras week (end of February)
La fête du panier (basket’s day): Marseille, 17-18 June. Events, workshops, crafts, local specialties!
Fête traditionnelle de la Sainte-Beaume: Saint-Raphaël, on the 1st Sunday of May. Walk and procession in the Esterel mountains, provencal mass, traditional ball.
La fête du soleil: Quartier Noailles Le Mille-Pattes, 62-64, rue d’Aubagne, Marseille, beginning of June. Festival of cultures: percussion concerts, African and Arabic music, ...
La fête du citron: 8 Avenue Boyer, Menton: Mid-february to early March. For two weeks, gigantic sculptures and citrus fruits shaped floats parade in the city.
Specialties:
If the history and the beauty of these regions make the fame of this area, the products of the soil and the local gastronomy are also worth that one stops there.
The lavender, emblematic plants, gives perfumes appreciated all around the world but also a Lavender honey to the delicious savour.
The olive, another "standard" cherished of the provençaux, from which is produced oil, uses the composition of many provencal recipes. The grasses of Provence are present in all the kitchens of France and besides.
The famous herbes de provence are a good seasoning, here is a recipe for you to try:
Ingredients |
1 teaspoon dried or 2 teaspoons fresh herbes de Provence, chopped |
Preparation
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Place all ingredients in a jar and shake until the dressing is well blended. Alternately, you can vigorously whisk the ingredients in a small bowl until they are completed incorporated together.
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Also let us quote melons from Cavaillon, the Apt candied fruits, Arles sausage, the famous Calissons d’Aix, the asparagus of Mormoiron, the cheeses of Queyras, the vineyards of the Riviera or the Pastis, without which the terraces of Provence would not be what they are.
Table linen:
Les “Indiennes” of Provence ....
In the 17th Century, navigators brought to the port of Marseille some luxurious printed toile from India. They were an instant success in Europe for clothing and furnishing.
By mid 1600, craftsmen from Marseille and Avignon started to produce these very popular materials.
Traditional fabric manufacturers, considering these newcomers and their success as a threat, asked the French King to ban them. However, Marseille and Avignon enjoyed at that time a status of relative independence and were able to continue their trade. The ban on the "Indian" fabrics only increased the enthusiasm of the public for these brightly coloured materials ! The ban was lifted in 1759, many more "Indian" fabrics manufacturers opened, and the Provençal tablecloths and fabrics continue today to be an icon of French interior decoration.
Some of our Provencal tablecloths ... |
You can see our entire collection on this page of our website: |
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Lizzy red Provencal tablecloth |
Monique yellow Provencal tablecloth |
Arles Provencal tablecloth |
Clara blue Provencal tablecloth |
You can see our entire collection on this page of our website: To get a price for any other size or place an order: |
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| Paquita linen Provencal tablecloth | Elisa blue and white Provencal tablecloth | Melanie ochre Provencal tablecloth | Josette pink Provencal tablecloth |
Recommended by one or more of our newsletter subscribers:
Recommended by Celia - http://www.frenchcottages.com/
More information:
http://gofrance.about.com/od/provence/p/provence.htm
http://www.virtualtourist.com/travel/Europe/France/Provence_Alpes_Cote_dAzur/Shopping-Provence_Alpes_Cote_dAzur-MISC-BR-2.html
http://fr.gastronomie.com/specialites/provence-alpes-cote-dazur/bonnes-adresses/marches
Index | Fabrics and Table Linen | Bedspreads and Boutis | Provence Giftware | Santons | French Market Baskets | Provence Info | Links | Rectangular Tablecloths | Square Tablecloths | Round Tablecloths | Toile de Jouy | Toile Basques cloths | Jacquard tablecloths | Pique Protective cloths | Fitted Tablecloth | Coated Tablecloths | Custom Tablecloths | Cotton Tablecloths | Provencal Tablecloths | Very Large Tablecloths | Bargain corner | Cicada Design | Olives Design | Lavender Design Tablecloth | Quilting | Contacts | Catherine Castelain |
