Henri Matisse, Paul Cezanne and Vincent van Gogh all found inspiration in the light and colours of Provence, and these undeniable assets mean its lands have been inhabited since pre-history. Its capital, Marseille, is France's largest and busiest port, whose rebellious natives marched on Paris during the Revolution, singing what is now the country's national anthem, La Marseillaise.

Provence's Riviera has long been known as a vacation destination for the chic and well-to-do. Cannes hosts global celebrities during its annual film festival, Nice's cache of art amounts to numerous important museums and Saint-Tropez's boutiques and nightclubs offer high fashion and cool entertainment. Inland, Grasse's singular climate supports several delicate varieties of flowers, spearheading France's perfume industry, medieval Mougins' restaurants combine coastal and mountain cuisine and Gordes features a curious village inhabited since the Bronze Age. An ancient Roman amphiteatre remains the setting for bullfights in Arles, and the walled city of Avignon was once home to the papacy. Beauty, history and culture are all in the promise of Provence.