Areas We Cover
PROPERTY FOR SALE IN PROVENCE
Provence has always welcomed people from all over the word that influenced its history. Today it continues to attract those seeking an enviable way of life. With its Mediterranean climate, it has an incredible 300+ days of sunny weather per year!
Provence a paradise for all tastes
Situated between the sea and the mountains, Provence stretches from the Italian border to the Camargue region and from the Mediterranean Sea to Mont Ventoux. Whether you prefer the beach, the mountains or the sea, you can’t fail to fall in love with the region. Provence is a real paradise for water sports, hiking, mountain biking, climbing, golf, hang gliding… but also for relaxation! In Provence, you can take your time, listening to cicadas, inhaling the air scented with thyme and rosemary, tasting the local produce, snoozing in the afternoon in the shade of olive tree admiring the sunset….
Which areas of Provence are you considering?
Provence has a singular identity, yet at the same time multiple facets. Each region offers a unique lifestyle typically associated with Provence, but each one, nevertheless, has developed its own culture. On the coast, in the villages or in the wide open spaces of the Camargue, life is very different. Therefore it is up to you to discover which Provence attracts you the most, which Provence corresponds best to you dreams, and will become your own personal paradise. Further to that, Provence Dream Property will help you to find the property for sale in Provence which corresponds at your wishs.
Areas we cover
- The Mediterranean coast
- Aix-en-Provence
- Le Luberon
- Les Alpilles
- Haute Provence
- Var-Saint-Tropez
The Mediterranean coast: the deep blue, from
creek to creek.
For those who dream of being in town and at the same time by the sea, Marseilles is perfect.
Those who prefer a quieter time will prefer the chic Cassis, La Ciotat the birthplace of cinema and of the favourite French pastime “Petanque”, or the Cote Bleue which stretches between Niolon and Carry-le-Rouet passing through Sausset-les-Pins.
The “calanques” –rocky inlets, smelling of pine and rosemary have clear blue water, and are far removed from the crowded beaches found elsewhere. Those who have visited the Niolon or Sormiou “Calanques” know that paradise is closer that we imagine!
The Aix-en-Provence region: Both chic and relaxed lifestyle.
Some compare Aix-en-Provence to Versailles…There are so many beautiful buildings, monuments and fountains. Strolling along its narrow pedestrian streets, visiting the market in the shade of the Plane trees, relaxing at the terrace of a café are routine activities in Aix-en-Provence.
Here time slows down to a halt, no rushing around, and no bustling, just a pleasant peacefulness. In summer, the town which is both chic and relaxed, changes into an opera stage, welcoming the greatest vocal performers to please all knowledgeable music lovers.
Imagine La Traviata under a beautiful starlit sky! And Cézanne, how could we not mention Cezanne? When you visit his workshop on the outskirts of Aix-en-Provence you can still feel his presence, as if he had just painted the Sainte-Victoire mountain. This rocky and impressive summit that changes colour as the day progresses or as the weather changes, is a playground for both Sunday hikers and climbers.
Dinosaur lovers are also thrilled because they can find remains of eggs on the ground dating back to more than 50 million years ago! All around Aix-en-Provence, the countryside varies between villages perched up high, old vineyards and character farmhouses in a relaxed atmosphere equal to none.
Luberon: Peter Mayle’s adopted home.
The Luberon mountain range stretches from Cavaillon to Manosque. This region became famous worldwide following the success of Peter Mayle’s book “A Year in Provence”.
It must be said that its villages perched up high such as Menerbes, Gordes, Roussillon are outstandingly beautiful, yet simple and with a timeless charm.
Lourmarin and Ansouis are also worth a visit with their impressive castles. As are Rustrel and its “Provencal Colorado” that shines with thousands of different shades of ochre, Apt, the capital of ‘fruit confit’ (candied fruit) and renowned for its colourful markets, Cavaillon, famous for its flavourful melons.
The Luberon regional park and its 300 “bories” (stone shelters previously used by shepherds) can be explored on foot or by mountain-bike.
In summer, the Luberon becomes a site for arts and music festivals. La Roque d’Anthéron holds an open air festival with the most prestigious pianists, whose music creates a harmony with the concert of cicadas. Lacoste hosts a vocal arts festival and Avignon, the prestigious city of Popes, becomes every year in July the largest theatre stage in France.
Alpilles: Olive country.
This small range of mountains situated between Arles and Avignon, attracts buyers with their olive and almond groves and grapevines, but also because of the towns’ rich historical context. the Baux-de-Provence, a magnificent Renaissance village situated at the top of a rocky summit.
Saint-Remy-de-Provence where Vincent Van Gogh painted his most famous paintings. Glanum, an antique village, Tarascon, a legendary village (a monster was killed here by Saint Marthe!) which has a medieval castle and houses the workshop of the famous Provencal Souleidou fabric. At the crossroads between Arles, Aix-en-Provence and the Luberon, is Salon-de-Provence the native town of the famous astrologer Nostradamus. You will be charmed by its tranquillity, its ancient fortress dating back to the 13th century and its squares shaded by plane trees.
‘Savon de Marseille’ (Marseilles soap), enriched with olive oil has been made in Salon for generations. The Alpilles is olive country. At Maussane-les-Alpilles, Cornille’s olive press traditionally produces an oil recognized as one of the best, and at Mouriès, they celebrate the olive season every year in September.
Haute-Provence: Provencal wilderness.
Tranquillity and nature lovers, Haute-Provence is for you! This hilly region so appreciated by the writer Jean Giono, begins in Manosque and ends at the southern Alpes and has not yet been spoilt by mass tourism.
Several villages are worth a visit, especially around Forcalquier, the Valensole plateau and the Verdon canyon. Forcalquier, a small village perched up high, was once the capital of Provence.
The surrounding countryside is gently sloped, sheep graze, fields of wheat and lavender bend in the wind. To really get away from it all, take the road that leads to Banon, discover villages with a population of less than a hundred gathered around the church and the local bar, and also taste one of the best goat cheeses called “Banon”, a small cheese wrapped in chestnut leaves.
The Valensole plateau also teases the senses in June and July with its lavender fields. The countryside is then a mix of lavender blue, greens of the trees and red ochres of soil.
A living painting with an aroma! The Verdon canyon is more touristic: it attracts water sports lovers and hikers who are astounded by the fabulous panoramic view. Moustiers-Sainte-Marie, a small village with a chapel topped with a star, wins over those wishing to mix nature and culture.
Var-Saint-Tropez: between green and blue, nature and the jet-set.
In the Haut-Var, you will find the calm and tranquillity of old villages perched up high. Beginning with Montauroux in the East, stretching to Bargème in the North, Artignosc and Artigues in the West. Here, the culture and tourism are close to nature. Cliffs, ravines, rivers, torrents, cascades and lakes offer a large variety of leisure activities: fishing, bathing, rafting, canyoning, para-sailing, climbing…
The Varois outback, that stretches in the East from the Adrets de l’Esterel to Le Castellet, counts three medium sized towns: Draguignan, a town with a rich historical past, Brignoles and its castle of the Counts of Provence and Saint-Maximin dominated by its magnificent Royal Basilica containing the relics of Marie Magdalene.
It is an area characterized by green hills and small valleys, cultivated plains, rivers and friendly riversides, “garrigues” and scented pine forests. The Var coastline represents 300km of coast along the Mediterranean Sea. Here you will find the most beautiful fine sandy beaches in the region, protected nature reserve islands (Porquerolles, Port-Cros and Le Levant) and the surprising marina or “lake-dwelling” city Port-Grimaud.
Who hasn’t heard of Saint-Tropez? In summer this burnt ochre village becomes the playground of the jet-set. Compared with Saint-Tropez, the neighbouring towns of Saint-Raphael, Sainte-Maxime, Cavalaire, Bandol, Le Lavandou, Saint-Cyr … are more down to earth.
If God were to come down to earth, he would seek shelter in Provence.
Henri Matisse