The traditional vacation destinations in the French Riviera and Provence regions boast natural beauty, rich architectural heritage, great food and good wine. The diverse charms of the region enables travelers to plan themed tours according to their tastes.

“People should know what they want to see and experience in the region. If you are a wine lover, you can visit different wineries and try a variety of wines. Think about whether you want to enjoy its natural beauty, appreciate paintings of Van Gogh, or immerse yourself in its rich heritage,” said James Bruno, the head of the regional tourism office for Provence-Alpes-Cote d’Azur, in an interview with The Korea Herald on Tuesday in Seoul. Travel officials from cities in the French Provence and Riviera region visited Seoul on a regular promotional tour.

For those fascinated with ancient sites, Avignon and Arles would be ideal destinations. The cities are open-air museums with UNESCO-listed heritage sites. Avignon, the papal residence during the Middle Ages, is famous for the Papal Palace and Bridge of Avignon. 

In Arle, visitors can encounter the remains of an ancient Roman city built by Julius Ceasar, and one of the largest Roman municipalities. The traces of luxury can be found in the ancient theater sites, amphitheater and alleys. The region is expected to see the reopening of the Jules Cesar Hotel, renovated by Arles-born designer Christian Lacroix, next month.

Arle is also an inspiring place for artists and art lovers, just as it was for painter Vincent van Gogh, who spent the most prolific period of his career in the scenic town. During a 15-month stay, van Gogh created more than 300 paintings.

The places featured in van Gogh’s paintings still remain today, including the Caf Terrace at Night and the courtyard of the mental hospital Espace van Gogh.

The Vincent van Gogh Foundation also just opened on April 7 with more than 1,000 square meters in exhibition space.

Marseille, the oldest and second most-populated city in France, boasts several new museums, including the European and Mediterranean Civilization Museum. The museum devoted to the cultures of the Mediterranean, became a hot tourist spot attracting 1.8 million visitors over the first seven months since opening in June 2013.

Strolling along the coastline is one way to immerse oneself in the natural beauty of the French Riviera (Cote d’Azur in French). The region, visited by nearly 11 million tourists annually, has been the traditional summer vacation destination for Europeans. However it also lures visitors year-round with pristine natural landscapes and leisure and sports activities.

“It’s magical in the winter time. Skies are blue, mimosa is blooming. It’s the most colorful place. During winter, a lot of photographers come to capture the beautiful nature of the region,” said Sandrine Carsalade, head of the promotion department of the Cote d’Azur travel office.

The mountains in the Alpine-Maritimes region attract skiing enthusiasts, trekkers and sports lovers year-round. A variety of water sports are available ranging from skiing, sea kayaking and scuba diving, to deep-sea fishing in the Mediterranean Sea.

The region boasts one of the world’s best cuisines with top quality, fresh natural ingredients.

“The dishes are made with locally grown vegetables. Tomatoes, olive oil, garlic, anchovy, herbs, melon, peach and cherry, you name it. With the variety of natural produce, the region is called the garden of France,” said Jean-Jacques Prevot, head chef from Michelin-starred Restaurant Prevot in Cavaillon in the French Riviera.

According to him, the unique character of the local cuisine is a result of the mix of neighboring cultures from Italy, Greece, North Africa, Spain and Portugal. Vineyard visits also cannot be missed. The Riviera and Provence regions have popular vineyards such as Cote de Provence, Coteaux d’Aix-en-Provence and Cote de Rhone.

By Lee Woo-young (wylee@heraldcorp.com)