Top Things to do in Provence-Alpes-Cote d'Azur
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Top 10 Things to do Good for Adrenaline Seekers in Provence-Alpes-Cote d'Azur, France
Discover the best top things to do in Provence-Alpes-Cote d'Azur, France including Gorges du Verdon, Route des Cretes, Route des Cretes La Palud, Col de la Bonette, Parc National des Calanques, Tete de Chien, Sentier de l'imbut, Sentier Blanc-Martel, Montagne Sainte Victoire, Mont Ventoux.
Restaurants in Provence-Alpes-Cote d'Azur
1. Gorges du Verdon
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 1,811 reviews
Europe's only grand canyon.
Reviewed By B_Brierley - London, United Kingdom
We visited for 1 day in August 2020, and even in the height of summer with many other tourists, this was still an incredible experience. We arrived at La Base Nautique de l'Etoile which is the closest pedalo/kayak rental to the Gorge opening (on the left bank when looking at the Gorge) at 8:45am and joined the already formed queue of people (opens at 9am). We rented a pedalo for 40Euros for 2 hours - this allowed us to pedal as far as the Gorges allows (in terms of signposts, not in terms of ability) and enjoy some swimming while docked at the side before heading back. We could have used more time to relax and just enjoy. Arriving that early in the morning affords you some quieter time in the Gorge, even in summer, before it gets really filled up with boats/people. Due to our next stop, we ended up driving the D952 to Castellane by total chance which turned out to be one of our TOP drives of all time - just stunning and highly recommended.
2. Route des Cretes
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 721 reviews
Reviewed By tahnathos
A transverse road in the South of France, between Toulon and Marseille. Not the shortest one, especially compared to the close by highway. But hell (pun intended), the scenery is so incredible that it's a must go !
3. Route des Cretes La Palud
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 422 reviews
Reviewed By Drew_Baxter_YYZ - Toronto, Canada
We drove this 24 km. scenic route on the north side of les Gorges de Verdon early one weekday morning in the first week of June. One way traffic from the starting point just east of La Palud-sur-Verdon all the way to Chalet de la Maline where the road operates in both direction for about 10 km back to La Palud. Breathtaking views from 14 belvédères along the way, including Col. d’Illoire which also has a few picnic tables in the glades on the downhill side of the roadway across a small wooden bridge. At the summit (where it was just 12 degrees Celsius at 10 o’clock in the morning!), we saw a chamois at the side of the road and vautours circling in the air currents overhead.
4. Col de la Bonette
5. Parc National des Calanques
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 3,949 reviews
Reviewed By milgil24 - Sydney, Australia
The stunning natural beauty of the Calanques along the South Coast of France is a must do. We went on a boat tour which departed from Marseille (booked through Airbnb experience) which was amazing, but there are so many ways to visit this national park.
6. Tete de Chien
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 118 reviews
Reviewed By scotthS3053ND - Danvers, United States
Twisty ride, but some of the best views in the Cote d'Azur. Stunning views of Monaco all the way to Italy.
7. Sentier de l'imbut
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 70 reviews
The trail Imbut is one of the most beautiful hikes in the Verdon Gorges, but perhaps also the most technical and difficult. It is a journey of about 6-8 kilometers with almost 340 meters of vertical descent and 400 meters uphill. This hike will last for 4 to 6 hours, depending on the options chosen
Reviewed By dmjb2017 - Cambridge, United Kingdom
This is a simply spectacular walk. K have done it two or three times now and always enjoyed it. The descent takes about an hour. Then the walk along the river has its vertiginous moments. The exit is tense at first and steep. Be sure-footed and enjoy.
8. Sentier Blanc-Martel
9. Montagne Sainte Victoire
10. Mont Ventoux
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 1,252 reviews
Reviewed By johnmN5785EK - Lyon, France
Mont Ventoux (‘windy”) is a barren mountain rising a steep 2,110m (over 6,000 ft) into the sky, near Carpentras and nicknamed the “Giant of Provence”. Worth checking out if you're in the Provence region and also if you're a Tour de France cycle race fan, as it forms one of the stages of La Grande Boucle, as the race is nicknamed in France. It was originally forested but was stripped of most trees from the 12th century on to supply the shipbuilders of Toulon. Some areas have been reforested since 1860 with a variety of hardwood trees (oaks, beeches) as well as coniferous, such as cedars and larches. A little higher, junipers are common. The drive was spectacular when we did it by car, but the vast numbers of discarded energy gel wrappers was noticeable. This is a challenging climb for all cyclists especially due to the gradient, the lack of hairpins on what is largely a straight road up a mountainside, and the moonscape after leaving the treeline. The weather can change very rapidly, from 30-degree at the foot where one enters the oak trees, to five degrees and low cloud whipped by winds across the limestone between the twin summits, named Col des Tempêtes (Hill of Storms). We entered the cloud just after the memorial to Tom Simpson, an English cyclist who died during the ascent of Mont Ventoux, during the Tour of 1967. Lots of cycling paraphernalia are deposited on his polished granite memorial which recalls “an Olympic medallist, a world champion, a British sporting ambassador”. it was hard to find parking once we got to the peak, as it was a bit crowded – we admired the stunning vista of Provence. A touching and memorable experience, especially for fans of the Grande Boucle.
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