Beaujolais Nouveau
The third Thursday in November is when this year's Beaujolais hits the shelves and is cause for celebration across France.

© Seeprovence.com

© Seeprovence.com

© Seeprovence.com

© seeprovence.com

© Seeprovence.com

© Seeprovence.com

© wikipedia
Pretty rural village with fabulous Troglodyte caves
A medieval town with cliff top ruined towers and glorious rolling green hills covered in vineyards in the surrounding area, Cotignac is a delightful place for mooching.
The village is much loved by the British who make up a large proportion of its population. Lcated to the north of the main A8 road that takes you from Nice to Aix, and not far from the wonderful Natural Park of Verdon. And of course, there are the vineyards....
Cotignac has an excellent market on Tuesday mornings and on certain dates, the flea market turns the whole town into a rather fabulous car boot sale.
The third Thursday in November is when this year's Beaujolais hits the shelves and is cause for celebration across France.
Head to the Avenue de la Rabasse in Richerenches for the famous Saturday truffle markets, which take place from November to March every year.
Read our Provence markets page to find out which market to visit when in Provence. From the vibrant array of local produce to the delightful scent of freshly baked delicacies, visiting a Provencal market is an absolute must for anyone exploring the charms of Provence.
An annual agricultural fair, the Foire de la Saint Siffrein is named after the saint who resided in Carpentras during the 7th century. Plenty of local produce is available in the market and the wine fair is one of the largest in the area (and not restricted to wines from Provence).
The Fête de la Musique is a celebration that takes place every summer solstice on 21 June in cities, towns and villages across France.
Bastille Day is celebrated across the whole of France with a bang...well, several in fact, fireworks always feature heavily.
A most impressive cliff sits behind one side of the town - a waterfall used to flow over them on to where the village now lies. The river was diverted around the 10th century which allowed then present village to be created. This waterfall formed all sorts of holes and crevices in the rock face and is filled with troglodyte caves that have been used for shelter for many a century.
Two Saracen towers and a fortress were built around the 12th century to aid the sighting of invading barbarians. The fortress no longer exists but the towers remain, rather ruined but still rather dramatic. It is said that there are escape tunnels from the towers into the rock below. The caves within the rock face were used to hide the population and their animals during a period of invasions in the Middle Ages. More caves have been created over time thanks to the rock being used to expand the village. The lower caves have been used to house the poor and for flour mills. Thanks to its geology, Cotignac was one of the first villages in the area to be powered by electricity thanks to a hydroelectric plant built in 1897.
The town hall takes pride of place in the Place de la Mairie, opposite this building is a bell tower with its distinctive wrought iron campanile. On Grand Rue just around the corner there are three cariatides high on one of the town houses. These are statues that were built on to houses to act like supporting columns. They date back to the 17th century when they were perceived as a sign of the home-owners great wealth.
The Romanesque church was built back in the 13th century and modified in the 17th century. Behind the church is an open-air theatre, Le Théâtre du Rocher that is used for concerts in the summer and is home to Les Toiles de Sud cultural festival, also in the summer.
Cours Gambetta is the main area for cafes and restaurants, with its fountains and plane trees offering shade in the summer. This is where you'll find the market held on Tuesday mornings - in summer there is a smaller additional market on Friday mornings. Wash basins can be found at the end of Cours Gambetta and they date back to the 19th century. As in many other Provencal villages, there are fountains aplenty - 17 in total in Cotignac to tick off as you wander the lanes. All the water from the fountains is safe to drink, so no need to buy the bottled stuff here.
The town boasts a wonderful selection of architecture, ranging from the 12th to 18th centuries. On Place Xavier Marin there is an art gallery Maison Méditerranéenne de l’Estampe, dedicated to print-making and etching. It's closed in January and February.
To the west of Cotignac is the Monastère Saint-Joseph, where, legend has it, a shepherd who was dying of thirst saw a man raise an enormous rock to unveil a natural water spring, thereby saving the shepherd's life. A chapel, then a church and convent was built on the site in the 17th century. It was abandoned in 1793 but in 1977, Benedictine monks moved in and restored the building.
The Muséum d'Aix was founded in 1838 by Henri Coquand, geologist ; it is one of the oldest in Provence.
Cezannes studio was created in Aix-en-Provence in 1902 and this is where he worked until he died in 1906.
Located not far from Aix centre, this museum and shop explains a little about the history of how this unusual sweet is made.
The Musee des Tapisseries houses a rich collection of 17th and 18th Century tapestries, including a collection called 'Grotesques' - theatrical taspestrie made in Beauvais cir. 1689, and also 'L'histoire de Don Quichotte' of 1735 unique in the world.
A small gallery with a good collection of contemporary and modern art.
This is Aix's fine art gallery, housed in the 17th century Palais de Malte. The collections includes works by a variety of European painters, including two by Rubens and a small selection of Paul Cezanne.
This elegant restaurant is a must-visit for any lovers of modern cuisine and cooking methods. They embrace local produce and evolve their dishes according to the seasons.
A quiet atmosphere, beautiful grounds and wonderful flavours can be found at Villa Gallici Restaurant. Part of the 5 star Villa Gallici hotel you can indulge in lunch or dinner at this top quality restaurant.
Open daily, the Clos du Comptoir offers a sophisticated atmosphere for lunch and dinner in the same setting.
Located inside the luxury Chateau de la Gaude, this Michelin-starred restaurant serves the elaborate cuisine of chef Matthieu Dupuis-Baumal.
Serving a wide range of classic and modern snacks, sandwiches and pastries this secluded bistro/cafe offers a calm oasis in a busy city centre.
Delicious, homely, comforting and satisfying. This restaurant serves up traditional cuisine and is a true taste of the south.
This small bar has a nice seating area outside next to one of Aix's many fountains and it catches the sun late into the evening.
The Mistral is Aix-en-Provence's answer to those looking for a trendy night out listening to the latest DJ's.
The Scat Club plays live music every night, and not just jazz the club plays pop, rock, funk and R'n'B.
There are plenty of hiking trails in the area - the tourist office has maps and information. The walk to the waterfall at Sillans de Cascade is particularly recommended (about eight miles round trip).
There are seven local Domaines where you can visit for wine tasting - try the Vignerons de Cotignac Co-operative for local wine and olive oil, or visit the vineyards of Chateau Carpe Diem or Chateau Nestuby, both of whom welcome visitors.
An exciting path through the forest...but not on the ground! This tree top adventure will have you swinging from the branches and enjoying the sights and sounds of nature.
Set CLub is a sports complex which has 13 tennis courts, eight of which are clay courts and five are the faster green set. Lessons and competitions are all part of the club. Non-members are welcome.
Set in the beautiful wooded countryside, this 18-hole golf course was designed by American architect Ronald Fream. The club incorporates the David Leadbetter Academy that offers lessons to suit players of all levels.
The Aix Yoga Center is a 150m2 studio yoga in the heart of Aix en Provence.
The area is split into two areas - one for the 1-5 years age group, and the other for 6-12 year olds.
Tour Designer in Provence provide tailor made tours of the best of Provence with day trips and walking tours on offer.
This half-day circuit takes you away from the bustle of the city and into the countryside, passing some historical landmarks along the way.
Following the Calavon river, this 28km long path was previously a railway track and is a great way to explore the hilltop villages around the area.
This ride is bursting with colour and vibrant views; starting off in the pretty little village of Roussillon it passes through the vivid landscape of the Ochre region, an area characterised by its deep red soil and golden wheat fields.
This delightful ride takes you through some of the most beautiful scenery in the area; vast Sault highlands, fields of lavender and golden crops. Along the way you can admire the magnificent views of Mont Ventoux and Montagne de Lure Mountain. You’ll pass through four charming old villages; each one crammed with ancient churches, crooked alleyways, splashing fountains and quaint little squares.
Second only to the Gorges du Verdon, the Gorge de la Nesque is one of the most visited and cycled parts of Provence. A stunning hydro geological site with fantastic cliffs, overhanging rock and a long winding river deep in the valley.
This ride takes us along the banks of the river Sorgue, crossing picturesque bridges and cycling past tranquil orchards. You’ll visit a number of fascinating little villages and take in some wonderful scenery along the way.
An interesting site not to be missed whilst in Provence. The wonderful views of the Villecroze caves and impressive scenery will take your breath away.
Regarded as one of the more difficult trails of the Verdon region, the l'Imbut trail is perfectly manageable for the competent hiker with the use of the fixed cables and ladders.
A 5-7 day walk leaving near the coast and making its way up the Verdon Gorge through the heart of the Verdon natural park.
An great easy walk for the days after rain fall to avoid the mud. Passing by the Chapel Toutes Aures, nestled in an olive grove.
Regarded as a 'classic' walk and from the summit cross you are rewarded with 360 degree views of the Luberon, Mount Ventoux, the Alps and Cap Canaille.
A really fabulous lake with excellent leisure facilities and watersports.
Explore the beautiful Gorges du Verdon by paddling down the river in canoes or kayaks. A fun activity for everyone to explore the beautiful Gorges du Verdon and paddle on the beautiful blue water.
A team of state qualified guides sharing their enthusiasm for great outdoor activities with you.
The vastness and richness of this protected site offers an extraordinary dimension to sports such as rock-climbing and canyoning.
Cable park on Lake Rabinon (5 hectares) where you can water ski, knee board, and wake board.
Range of water sports and outdoor activities proposed by a professional guiding company.
A few minutes walk from the charming village of Bonnieux, on the heights towards Lourmarin, this charming stone house, freshly renovated by architects, is for rent for your holidays.
House for rent in Luberon - Le Mas entre Monts et Merveilles. The perfect holiday location in Provence!
Elegant and pleasant Provencal holiday villa, located in a residential area a few minutes away from the picturesque village of Bonnieux with a beautiful view of the Luberon and Mont Ventoux.
Mas Wisteria is located 2.5km from Bonnieux, a lovely Provençal village perched in the foothills of the Luberon in Provence.
Holiday house with pool located in the heart of the Luberon.
Beautiful holiday home for rent in Provence, in Lourmarin, with garden and swimming pool.
Magnificent villa near Bonnieux, in the heart of the Luberon, with swimming pool, for a unique holiday.
Mas Wisteria is located 2.5km from Bonnieux, a lovely Provençal village perched in the foothills of the Luberon in Provence.
Architect-designed villa for holiday rental, with swimming pool, in the heart of the Luberon with an elevated position in the village of Cadenet.
A few minutes walk from the charming village of Bonnieux, on the heights towards Lourmarin, this charming stone house, freshly renovated by architects, is for rent for your holidays.
The Capitaine is an apartment located on the 2nd floor, its exposure is ideal for holidays in Provence, beautiful atmosphere.
This fully restored nineteenth-century farmhouse for holiday rental is located 3 km from Bonnieux, a lovely Provençal village perched in the foothills of the Luberon in Provence.
This hotel is a beautiful renovated house located on a quiet street, and walking distance to all the hustle and bustle of Aix.
Under the light Cézanne once knew, the Villa Gallici Hotel is an 18th century Provençal house and a member of Relais et Châteaux portfolio.
The five star Pigonnet hotel in Aix is an 18th-century mansion surrounded with stunning floral gardens, situated just outside the centre of Aix-en-Provence.
Built in 2013 this modern, contemporary five star hotel in Provence combines art work in contemporary spaces, filled with uber stylish furniture and fittings.
Located in one of the most beautiful villages in France, this former oil mill welcomes its guests in an enchanting setting surrounded by lime trees.
A beautifully renovated castle, with 5 rooms and suites, a stunning reception room and an outdoor pool
With a long history and experience in the VIP transport industry this company is proud of its personal and high-quality services.
Created in 1976 this company has grown and has now transported well over 100,000 passengers. They have a fleet of 12 craft to meet client demands.
All taxi services 24/7 within a 60 mile radius.
Events-Cars offer luxury taxi and transfer services across the South of France. They also cater for special events.
Chabe Transfers are a well known luxury transfer and taxi service operating in the South of France.
Helitec caters for all your helicopter needs from passenger transport to aerial photography, filming, transport of heavy goods, leisure flights over Provence and the South of France. A great way to see the most beautiful spots from the air.
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See allLatest News & ReviewsProvence has a busy calendar of events all year round featuring art exhibitions, charming markets, cultural festivals and concerts. Spring and autumn are the time to celebrate local produce while during the peak holiday times, in the summer months, you will find world-renowned music and cultural events like the Choregies d'Orange or the Avignon Festival.
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