The Provence region has captured the hearts of artists and travelers for centuries. From the picturesque lavender fields, to the glitz of the French Riviera, the region should not be missed when considering Provence real estate to buy in France. With around 300 days of sunshine, it is no surprise famous painters like Matisse and Van Gogh spent so much time in the South East of the ‘hexagon’.
Well-known cities such as Aix en Provence, Marseille and Arles are located in the Bouches de Rhone region. The city of Marseille is second oldest city in France and also one of the oldest. Its history as a cultural melting pot dates back to 2,600 years ago when the Greeks of Phocaea founded the city. It is still the largest port on the Mediterranean coast and is proud of its fishing heritage. One major site to see while visiting the city is the beautiful Notre-Dame de la Garde Church. The Roman Catholic Church was constructed in 1864 and offers breath-taking views of the city.
Another popular department in Provence is the Alpes-Maritimes, with cities such as Monaco, Cannes and Nice. More commonly referred to as the French Riviera, this department of Provence is full of history and culture. One of the earliest documents of civilization in Europe was found in the Grotte du Vallonnet, or Caves of Vallonnet, between Monaco and Menton. In the 1950’s archeologists found primitive tools dating back over 1 million years. The region of Provence is full of fascinating cities and villages that offer a wide variety of culture and history, the reason so many people are happy to settle down in a luxury French Riviera house.
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