| What do you think of when you imagine the south | | | | exploration at Gordes and Menerbes, then move on |
| of France? The region offers a very diverse range of | | | | to Lourmarin and Roussillon. |
| environments, and would take many months to | | | | The Dordogne |
| explore fully. Some of the highlights of the south of | | | | The Dordogne, a much more verdant region than |
| France include: | | | | Provence, has long attracted visitors - a trend that |
| The French Riviera, and the glitzy resorts of the | | | | started in the Middle Ages and resulted in the |
| Mediterranean coast | | | | Hundred Years War! This early turmoil means the |
| Everyone has heard of Saint-Tropez, Nice and | | | | area is now dotted with many stunning medieval |
| Cannes, but be aware that the Cote d'Azur is | | | | castles, and the unspoiled ancient villages that grew |
| hundreds of kilometres long, stretching eastwards | | | | up around these. The scenery is also very beautiful, |
| from Marseille to the Italian border, and has a wide | | | | with large forested areas, and small-scale agriculture |
| range of resorts, villages, and scenery. Although the | | | | continuing much as it has for hundreds of years. |
| main resorts have a reputation for being both | | | | To discover the region, simply follow the Dordogne |
| expensive and crowded, there are plenty of other | | | | River which passes many of the highlights, including |
| coastal stations here that are equally beautiful and | | | | Domme, Sarlat and La Roque Gageac among many |
| attract much fewer visitors. | | | | others. |
| Some of the coastal scenery is also exceptional - see | | | | Surfing beaches of the Atlantic coast |
| the Calanques near Marseille or the corniche coast | | | | Our last stop on this whistle-stop tour of southern |
| road east of Saint-Raphael for example. | | | | France is to the internationally famous surfing |
| The lavender fields and perched villages of Provence | | | | beaches along the long coast that runs between |
| Inland from the French Riviera, Provence usually | | | | Biarritz and Arcachon. Both these cities are also well |
| brings to mind images of sleepy sun-baked villages | | | | worth visiting, with a touch of 19th century faded |
| and fields of purple lavender. You will see both of | | | | elegance adding to the attraction. |
| these in the region, which is very beautiful and rightly | | | | For surfers, the most well known beaches are a little |
| popular, but you will also see perhaps rather too | | | | way north of Biarritz although many others are also |
| many tourists as you shoulder your way through the | | | | popular. The whole stretch of Atlantic coastline in |
| crowds - a small village can find it difficult to cope | | | | south-west france is also popular with holidaymakers, |
| with so many visitors. | | | | because of the sunny, sandy, beaches (or inland |
| Perhaps the greatest concentration of villages is in | | | | lakes when the surf is too high) and clean modern |
| the Luberon region of western provence. Start your | | | | resorts. |