Provence and Cote D'Azur Book

About Drive Around Guides     8
Provence at a glance     10
Introduction     12
Travel facts     14
Driver's guide     23
Getting to Provence and the Cote d'Azur     29
Setting the scene     32
Touring itineraries     39
Avignon: City of medieval grandeur and power     41
The Upper Vaucluse: Ancient olive groves and stone-built farms     51
Luberon and Southern Vaucluse: Fragrant hillsides, rocks and ravines     62
Gard: Roman aqueduct straddling the green Gard valley     74
Nimes: Roman remains and denim jeans     82
Les Baux and Les Alpilles: Lofty fortified villages perched on the crags     90
Arles: Van Gogh's inspiration on the banks of the Rhone     100
The Camargue: Birds, bulls and white horses in Europe's largest wetland     108
Marseille: Exhilarating contrasts in this energetic port     120
The West Provence Coast: Picturesque ports and fishing harbours     130
Hyeres and the lies d'Or: Palm-fringed islands in a sea of blue     138
Aix-en-Provence and Cezanne Country: Capital of Provence and the epitome of elegance     146
The Alpes de Haute Provence: Limestone ranges forming a prelude to the Alps     156
The Var Interior and the Grand Canyon du Verdon: Dramatic gorges along the River Verdon     164
The Route Napoleon: Napoleon's route to the Alps after his escape from exile     174
Les Maures: Sandy bays, high rocky cliffs and bijou resorts     186
The St-Tropez Peninsula: Chic boutiques and beautiful people     196
Esterel: Secretive region of sandy bays backed by rugged hills     204
Cannes: Yacht-crammed marinas and shopping in style     212
Cannes to Nice: Thrilling Mediterranean landscapes and gourmet food     220
Nice: The sophisticated 'Queen of the Riviera'     232
The Riviera Corniches: Extravagant curves, dramatic gradients and stunning scenery     242
Monaco: A mini-state and abode of the super-rich     254
Nice to Tende: Unspoiled backwaters on the Italian border     262
To the Mercantour: Ski resorts within an hour's drive of the sea     272
Language     282
Index     283
Feedback form     287