Provence wine tourism

	Marseille, Cassis, Toulon, Hyères, Saint-Raphaël, Saint-Tropez, Cannes, Nice: magical names whose mere mention summons up pictures of the Côte d'Azur, holidays, the sea and the blue sky.... And in addition to all of its tourist attractions the region produces very good wines - especially rosés - which are a wonderful accompaniment to the delicious Provençal cuisine. Just let your senses be your guide, and you'll not regret you came...
Provence as a region of vine cultivation is not at all the same Provence as the one of history. It begins to the south of Avignon, continues as an extension of the Côtes-du-Rhône area and stretches over four départements: Gard, Bouches-du-Rhône, Var and Alpes-Maritimes. From Arles to Aix-en-Provence and on to Marseille, and from Toulon to Saint-Tropez and on to Nice, you will discover France's leading tourist region, attracting hundreds of thousands of visitors every year. Its beaches, sun, sea, coves, inlets, water sports and little Provençal villages are all utterly essential items on the menu of any visitor. Gastronomy is not the least of the region's attractions. A bouillabaisse in a small restaurant overlooking the port in Cassis is alone well worth the journey to Provence. Not to mention the wines! For too long they were unjustly denied recognition, and now the wines of Provence - not just the rosés - deserve your full attention.
A brief history Centuries-old vineyards whose rich diversity is now beginning to be discovered...
The characteristics Because of the large number of grape varieties used and the diversity of soils and situations, Provence produces an extensive range of white, rosé and red wines.
Classification Provence boasts four regional appellations (AOC Côtes-de-Provence, AOC Baux-de-Provence, AOC Coteaux d'Aix and AOC Coteaux Varois) and four local appellations (Palette, Cassis, Bandol and Bellet).
En route! If you've planned a weekend, a week or a month's holiday on the Côte d'Azur or in its hinterland, then put aside a little time to go and explore the wine-producing areas, sample and buy some excellent red, white or rosé wines, and meet the growers who will always be pleased to show you around and let you sample their production.