Provence Alpes Cote d’Azur
The Provence Alpes Cote d’Azur region of France is made up of six departments: Alpes-de-Haute-Provence, Hautes-Alpes, Alpes-Maritimes, Bouches-du-Rhone, Var and Vaucluse. Located in southeastern France, Provence is bordered by Languedoc-Roussillon to the west, Rhone-Alpes to the north, Italy to the east and the Mediterranean Sea to the south. Provence’s Cote d’Azur, better known as the French Riviera, is one of the most luxurious, prestigious holiday destinations in the world and has long been a sun-soaked playground for the rich and the famous, particularly in the world-famous resort towns of Cannes, Nice and Saint Tropez.
The Cote d’Azur was once a sparsely populated, poor area that was best known for its olive groves, fishing villages and fields of flowers grown for the manufacturing of perfume. In the 18th century, it quickly became a popular health resort frequented by the British upper class in winter, and later developed into a popular holiday spot for aristocrats and royalty from Britain and Russia. Beginning in the early 1900s, writers, artists and wealthy travelers from Europe and the United States began to regularly visit this area, many of them taking up permanent residence in Provence houses or maintaining Provence holiday homes for their frequent visits. It was not until after World War II that the French Riviera became popular as a holiday destination for those of more moderate means, at which time couples began to seek out romantic Provence gites for extended breaks and families began to settle into Provence rentals for seaside holidays in the sun. With 115 kilometers of pristine coastline, 300 days of sun, several marinas, and over a dozen golf courses and ski resorts, it is no surprise that the French Riviera is among the most popular destinations for those in search of Provence gites.
With a history dating back to 123 BC, Aix-en-Provence is an ideal destination choice for history lovers looking for private Provence houses to rent. This picturesque city boasts tree-lined streets, sidewalk cafes, glorious architecture, mansions dating back to the 16th century, the old city wall, cathedrals and hot springs. Couples in search of Provence gites for a romantic break will genuinely appreciate the romantic, old-world feel of Aix-en-Provence and are sure to fall in love with this historic city as soon as they arrive. For an even more romantic experience, such as an elegant, intimate bed and breakfast, Provence visitors will find that Aix-en-Provence, as well as many other enticing towns in this area, is home to many options that are sure to meet your needs.
Other popular choices for those in search of self catering Provence gites include Fayence, Draguignan, Ste. Maxime, Grasse, La Motte, Flayosc, Saint Raphael, La Colle sur loup and Marseille. To search through listings of Provence rentals to find the ideal holiday home base for your next trip to France, browse the hundreds of listings for Provence houses on Rent in the Sun. You are sure to find the perfect holiday home offering a level of luxury and elegance that can only be provided by self catering accommodations.
