Pride Of Provence
Living France|November 2019
With chic cities, wild mountain vistas, dramatic coastal landscapes and a rich and varied history, Bouches-du-Rhône offers the best of both rural and urban living, as Lara Dunn discovers
Lara Dunn
Pride Of Provence

Think of the historic region of Provence and chances are that some of the first things to spring to mind are rolling sun-drenched hills, honey-colored villages, brilliant blue sky and sea and perhaps a glass of chilled rosé wine… or two.

Birthplace of Marcel Pagnol – arguably one of the greatest promoters of Provence in popular culture – the département of Bouches-du-Rhône offers all of these Provençal characteristics in spades, as well as far, far more.

Bouches-du-Rhône is one of the original départements dating back to their creation during the Revolution and covers much of the western territory of the historic province of Provence. It stretches from the Parc Naturel régional de Camargue in the west, north to the Rhône river, just south of Avignon and east to La Ciotat and the green empty spaces where it meets Var.

Bouches-du-Rhône is the most populous of the departments that make up the administrative region of Provence- Alpes-Côte d’Azur. With a population of just over two million people, it has numerous cities and towns, the main centers being Marseille on the coast – the second largest city in France with approximately 865,000 inhabitants – and Aix-en-Provence, the former capital of Provence with around 145,000. Arles, Martigues, Aubagne, and Istres follow with significantly fewer (each less than 55,000). The area is far from packed with urban sprawls, also taking its varied character from wilder spaces such as the Rhône river, the Parc national des Calanques, Parc Naturel régional de Camargue, and Parc Naturel régional des Alpilles.

Taking Eurostar direct from St Pancras International to Marseille (just six and a half hours), the constantly changing character of the landscape is clear.

هذه القصة مأخوذة من طبعة November 2019 من Living France.

ابدأ النسخة التجريبية المجانية من Magzter GOLD لمدة 7 أيام للوصول إلى آلاف القصص المتميزة المنسقة وأكثر من 9,000 مجلة وصحيفة.

هذه القصة مأخوذة من طبعة November 2019 من Living France.

ابدأ النسخة التجريبية المجانية من Magzter GOLD لمدة 7 أيام للوصول إلى آلاف القصص المتميزة المنسقة وأكثر من 9,000 مجلة وصحيفة.

المزيد من القصص من LIVING FRANCE مشاهدة الكل
Guide To: Working For A Foreign Company
Living France

Guide To: Working For A Foreign Company

If your current employer is happy to let you continue working for them after you move to France, there are a number of rules and regulations to be aware of to ensure you stay on the right side of the law, as Catharine Higginson explains

time-read
5 mins  |
May 2020
On vintage soil
Living France

On vintage soil

Life in the vineyards of Aude is a dream come true for Leicestershire-born Katie Jones who now successfully exports her wines back to the UK, as Brigitte Nicolas learns

time-read
8 mins  |
May 2020
KNOWLEDGE IS POWER
Living France

KNOWLEDGE IS POWER

What happens if you are buying a French property but can’t attend the completion meeting at the notaire’s office in person? Matthew Cameron explains how a power of attorney can be used and how it works

time-read
6 mins  |
May 2020
In safe hands
Living France

In safe hands

There can be few more unusual homes than the 11th-century Château de Clérans, situated close to the Dordogne river in the Périgord Pourpre region of Nouvelle-Aquitaine.

time-read
5 mins  |
May 2020
THE CAPTAIN'S TABLE
Living France

THE CAPTAIN'S TABLE

Robin Ellis made his name as the original Captain Poldark but a diabetes diagnosis led the Tarn-based actor to add cookbook writing to his CV, as Richard Webber learns

time-read
7 mins  |
May 2020
My frugal France
Living France

My frugal France

Embracing modern technology could save you money and time on both the pleasures and essentials of life in France, says Laura Harley as she shares some of her favourite French apps

time-read
2 mins  |
May 2020
Hidden Talents
Living France

Hidden Talents

Moving to France enabled these three expats to switch off from busy careers and in turn discover new creative talents, says Gillian Harvey, who counts herself among them

time-read
7 mins  |
May 2020
Beauty to behold
Living France

Beauty to behold

With its legendary vineyards, charming old towns and rich gastronomy, Gironde is quintessential France at its best, as Alison Weeks discovers

time-read
8 mins  |
May 2020
AS SEEN ON SCREEN
Living France

AS SEEN ON SCREEN

A Dordogne town, a Charente city and a Pyrenean village all have a starring role in three new films hitting the big screen this year, joining a long list of French locations that have gone before them, as Vicky Leigh learns

time-read
8 mins  |
May 2020
A local's view
Living France

A local's view

Trish and Mark Tyler run a beautifully restored chambres d’hôtes, set in six hectares of park and woodland near StÉmilion, which has a fascinating history

time-read
6 mins  |
May 2020