This province conjures up such varied landscapes and embraces cities, towns and villages of such contrasting characters, that its greatest asset must surely be its diversity. Between the Alpine eastern border and lush Rhone Valley to the west stretches an endless tableau of sun-drenched hills draped in olive groves and topped with villages. To some, it is this simple rustic appeal of dry stone walls winding past fragrant fields of rippling lavender which most succinctly defines Provence’s appeal.
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Others may point to the sophisticated promenades and sweeping beaches of Côte d’Azur resorts that rate among Europe’s most famous: Antibes, St Raphaël. St Tropez, Cannes and Nice. Some see it as a region of artists. Cézanne called Aix-en-Provence home, with its fountains and leafy boulevards; gorgeous Arles, with its majestic Roman amphitheatre, inspired Van Gogh to create Sunflowers and other famous works. Matisse and Picasso both painted in St-Paul-de-Vence, a medieval village whose squares and fountains are clustered round a 12th-century church. Yet perhaps even more vivid than any canvas are the vibrant local markets, found virtually everywhere and heaped high with colourful fruit, vegetables and flowers.
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