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The Attractions Of Owning Property In Provence
rance is the world's settle down here. A Mediterranean
number one tourist climate featuring more than 300
destination, and within days of sunshine per year is a
this country of wondrous natural major drawing card. Whether you
beauty one of the most-visited enjoy swimming at nearby seaside
regions is the area of southeast beaches or hiking in the hills,
France known as Provence. the climate of Provence offers
numerous advantages for those who
The classic region of Provence, are physically active and enjoy
as named by the Romans, was a the out-of-doors. And even with
huge area that stretched west its well-deserved reputation for
from the current Italian border warm and sunny weather, major ski
near Nice to Marseille at the resorts in the Alps are only a
mouth of the Rhône. Nowadays when drive of two hours or less from
we refer to Provence we generally most parts of Provence.
exclude the Mediterranean coast,
now called the Côte d'Azur (or While Provence is best known for
Côte Varoise near Saint-Tropez), its warm-weather attractions,
and think of the area that many visitors especially enjoy
stretches north of the coast a visiting in the winter, when
150 kilometers or so to the there are few tourists and the
vineyards and rolling days are bright and sunny with
countryside, dotted with tiny mild temperatures. If you
villages, in the area around purchase property and take up
Aix-en-Provence and Avignon. residence in Provence, you will
not have to worry about heavy
Provence offers a number of heating bills in the winter, for
unique attractions not only for a even in the coldest month of the
tourist but also for those who year the temperature during the
would like to buy property and day ranges from 3° to 15° degrees
centigrade (37° to 59° France's second largest city, is
Fahrenheit). a major port and features
world-class boutiques, as do
Provence is also rich in history. Avignon and Aix-en-Provence, both
Well before the arrival of of which are university towns.
Caesar's legions in the first Orange, north of Avignon, and Aix
century BC, Greeks and are also famous for their summer
Phoenicians fishermen and traders opera festivals, and Avignon for
established villages along the its world-renowned theatre
coastline. The region got its festival in July. Aix hosted a
name when it became a province of major Cézanne exhibition in the
the Roman Empire. Many summer of 2006 that drew visitors
antiquities from the Roman era from all over the world.
remain, as do churches,
monasteries and cathedrals dating If you fancy life in a small
back to the Middle Ages. Many village set in the vineyards for
villages still have their which the region is famous, there
original ramparts constructed in are many picturesque localities
medieval times to ward off that beckon in Provence. Travel
invaders. magazines rhapsodize about the
constellation of villages perchés
While it is best known for its in the Luberon region east of
countryside attractions, in Avignon. Each of these hilltop
recent decades Provence has villages - Gordes, Bonnieux,
evolved into one of the most Lacoste and Roussillon, to name
sophisticated regions of France, only a few - seems more charming
thanks partially to the fact that than the last. Equally seductive
many Europeans and North are the towns and villages of the
Americans rent seasonally or have Alpilles area south of Avignon,
purchased homes here. Marseille, among them Saint-Rémy-de-Provence
(many of Van Gogh's paintings are well known. Restaurants
were created near here), abound everywhere in the region,
Eygalières and Les ranging from sidewalk cafés to
Baux-de-Provence. Provençal family-run village restaurants
villages are especially enjoyable that routinely offer regional
to visit when the weekly open-air cuisine of a level that would be
markets are taking place. awarded high marks by restaurant
critics in other countries. For
In addition to its beautiful fine dining there are numerous
countryside and vivid colors, Michelin-starred establishments,
which drew many of the among them Bistro d'Egaylières at
Impressionist painters here, Eygalières, and the famed
Provence is also renowned for its L'Oustaù de Baumanière at Les
herbs and its aromas. In the Baux-de-Provence.
springtime, take a walk in the
countryside and you can breathe With all of these attractions it
in the fragrances of thyme, is no wonder that Provence is a
rosemary and lavender. In the must-see destination for anyone
spring the apple and cherry trees who visits France. And for the
are in full bloom. One of the visitor who is interested in
most enjoyable times to visit establishing a residence or
Provence is in autumn, when the owning a vacation home in France,
annual grape harvest is underway Provence should be at the top of
and the vines are just beginning locations to consider, both in
to take on their fall colors. terms of an enjoyable lifestyle
and a sound investment that will
During any time of the year you appreciate in value.
can enjoy the fine food and drink
for which France and this region
About the Author:
Cecil Jones is a Philadelphia attorney, businessman and dedicated Francophile. He is the CEO of Just France Sales, http://www.justfrancesales.com, a United-States based company whose mission is to help people seeking to buy property in France and the South of France.
Read more articles by: Cecil Jones
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