PROVENCE - THE PROVENCAL COAST FAQ`S

What is the Provencal Coast (Var Department)?

The department of the Var in the Provend-Alpes-Cote d`Azur region in Provence is big and varied. It takes its name from the river Var, which used to flow along its eastern boundary. The Var is bordered on the east by the department of Alpes-Maritimes; to the west by Bouches-du-Rhone to the north of the Verdon River by the department of Alpes-de-Haute-Provence, and to the south by the Mediterranean Sea.

Toulon is the largest city and administrative capital of the Var. The Var is known for the harbor of Toulon, the main port of the French Navy; for its seaside resorts, for its Romanesque and medieval architecture; and for its wines, particulary the wines of Cassis and Bandol.

What is the main airport servicing the Provence - the Provencal coast area?

Avignon-Camargue Airport
Nîmes-Arles Camargue Airport (in Nimes-Garons)
Marseille Provence (in Marignane which is situated in the Bouches-du-Rhone, Provence region)
Nice Côte d`Azur International Airport

There are four international airports in Provence-Alpes-Côte d`Azur. Nice Cote d`Azur (nice.aeroport.fr) is France`s second airport and receives flights from New York and Montreal, as well as up to 30 flights a day from both Paris and the UK. From Nice Airport, it`s a train ride away from the entire Provencal coast.

BA, easy Jet and Ryanair fly to Marseille Provence (mrsairpolrt.com). Midway between Marseille and Aix, it is best suited for those exploring the Camargue wetlands and the vineyards.

Toulon-Hyeres (Toulon-hyeres.aeroport.fr) is located right on the beach. Flying into this airport will get you to the paradise islands Iles d`Heyere in about a half hour. The biggest airlines flying to Toulon-Hyeres is Flybe, CityJet and Air France.

From North America, you will typically arrive in France at Paris CDG airport. From here or Paris itself you can catch the TGV fast train to the Provencal Coast.

How do I get around by train? What are the railway stations in Provence - The Provencal Coast?

France`s state-owned trains are fast, efficient and typically a good value. High-speed TGV`s connect major cities; smaller towns are served by slower TER trains, sometimes supplemented by buses. TGV (Train a Grande Vitesse) is the world`s fastest trains. This train links all the major cities and resorts in the South of France, allowing you to travel within the region.

SNCF (French National Railroads; www.voyages-sncf.com) also runs local trains that connect rural areas, as well as along the resort area of the French Riviera. It also operates trains running into the mountains above Nice, and over into the Italian border.

Marseille, Avignon, Aix-en-Provence and Nice are four of France`s busiest rail junctions, with trains departing across France every few minutes. SNCF (French Rail) offers a low cost, high speed rail travel service called Ouigo, pronounced `we go`, an independently run subsidiary of SNCF. It offers tickets starting from about €10 from Paris to the south of France, including Aix en Provence, Avignon, Lyon, Marseille, Montpellier, Nimes and Valence. To keep costs down, this is a no-frills service similar to that of low-cost airlines. Ouigo`s trains depart from Marne la Valee, the station 20 miles east of Paris which serves Euro Disney.

The Train station of Saint-Cyroles-Lecques-la Cadiere is a hub in the French transport network enabling travelers to reach the region around Saint-Cyr-Mer (Var, Provence-Alps-French Riviera).

TGV (high-speed train): Paris-Lyon-Marseille. TGV railway stations in Avignon, Aix-en-Provence and Marseille (3 hrs from Paris).

Other Transport Nearby:

Train Station of La Ciotat (3.7 miles)
Train Station of Bandol (3.8 miles)
Aerodrom of the Castellet (6.2 miles)
Train Station of Ollioules-Sanary-sur-Mer (7.5 miles)
Train Station of Cassis (8.3 miles)
Train Station of La Seyne-Six-Fours (10 miles)
Train Station of Aubagne (10.3 miles)
Train Station of La Penne-sur-huvaeune (11.7 miles)

Rail passes -- Rail passes as well as individual rail tickets are available from Rail Europe (www.raileurope.com; Tel. 800-622-8600 in the U.S.). Options include a 5-day rail pass usable within France for a 1-month period. Eurail (www.eurail.com) offers regional rail passes throughout Europe, including a France-and-Italy combined pass.

Aix has both a TGV and regular station and is well connected both to Paris - Marseille line and (via Marseille) to the Genoa - Nice - Barcelona line. The same shuttle that runs from the airport to Aix also services the Aix TGV station. The regular train station is at Place Victor Hugo, a 5 minute walk from the center of town of Aix.

How do I get around the roads in Provence - The Provencal Coast?

A car is a great way to get around the Provencal coast allowing maximum freedom. Cars can be rented in most towns and cities. Driving is on the right, but automatic transmissions are rare.

All-About Car Rentals

The A8 motorway is the major highway from Paris to the South of France. It`s called the Autoroute du Soleil, which translates as the `Highway to the Sun.` From Marseille and Aix-en-Provence, drivers may take the A8, La Provancale, eastwards towards Cannes. The A8 stays close to the coast from Cannes to Italy, west of Cannes it heads more inland with a spur down to Toulon. The A8 is mostly narrow and can be very curvy and hilly when inland. It is pleasant to drive these roads as part of a tour but it is not really convenient, especially if speed is required, it is typically quicker to take the indirect route using the A8.

Note: You will find that most everywhere on the coast has a short supply of parking in the summer. We recommend you review parking for the individual town you will be visiting to know your parking options.

Highways A1, A6 and A7 : Lille, Paris, Lyon, Marseille
A62, A61, A9, A54: Bordeaux, Toulouse, Narbonne, Montpellier, Nîmes, Arles
A54: Nîmes, Salon-de-Provence
A8: Italie, Nice, Marseille
A51: Gap, Sisteron, Aix-en-Provence

We recommend having a car during your visit so you will not be so limited in regards to what you can see and do. Day car rentals are relatively inexpensive, so visitors may want to rent a vehicle just for a day en-route if they wish.

How do I get around by bus?

Bus no. 8805 runs between Bandol, Sanary sur Mer, Six Fours les Plages and Toulon. Bus no. 8806 runs between Bandol, Sanary sur Mer, Six Fours les Plages and La Seyne sur Mer.

All these services are operated by a company called Varlib. For more information on the bus schedules and prices visit www.varlib.fr.

Some of the areas here are serviced by the Mistral Bus Network. The buses of the Mistral network circulate in all the districts of the Toulon area and the maritime shuttles provide connections between Toulon, La Syne and Saint-Mandrier. For more information on public transport with Mistral bus network visit www.reseaumistral.com.

What if I am a disabled traveler?

Facilities for travelers in the South of France, and nearly all new or modern hotels provide disabled access. The TGV (high-speed trains) are wheelchair accessible; older trains have compartments for wheelchair boarding. Handiplage (handiplage.fr) provides detailed may and breakdown of every French beach that offers accessible to disabled visitors.

How do I get around by bike?

Cycling in the Provence - The Provencal Coast is a very popular way of exploring this destination bringing you past the most spectacular views. The country boasts the major event in the international cycling calendar, the Tour de France. Cycling is part of the culture in France and everywhere on the road, you will see teams of bikes.

There are some sign-posted cycling routes, but you may want to build your own route. You`ll find many excellent general websites dedicated to cycling in France and worldwide. Some worth noting that offers valuable advice and information are www.veloloisirprovence.com/frto learn more about cycling in the Provence and www.freewheelingfrance.com.

The Var department suggests a wide range of options from the southern slopes of the Gorges du Verdon to a 75 mile coastal bike path that extends all the way from Six Fours les Plages to Saint Raphael.

When to go: In Southern Provence, the temperatures average 85 - 90°F in July and August. If you plan to cycle during these summer months we recommend you plan a long lunch break. You shouldn`t encounter much rain in the high summer months, but there is not much you can do in regards to the Mistral, the fierce north-west wind which can roar down the Rhone valley and surrounding area. The winds can blow any time of the year, unless you confine your itinerary to the eastern parts of Var and the Alpes de Haute Provence.

Heavy traffic can be a hazard in the popular tourist areas, especially during school holidays. Main roads are best to avoid altogether on weekends during the summer months in the height of the season when French families take their summer break. A big added bonus when traveling by bike, it`s a lot easier to park a bicycle at a top tourist spot than to find a space for your car.

When is the best time to go to the Provencal Coast?

The highest season is July and August when hotels are full, often booked months in advance and are at their priciest. These are the hottest months of the year in this area, often peaking around 95°F.

The shoulder seasons are considered to be from April - June and September and October. This is a great time of year to travel here when the weather is still good and there are no school-holiday crowds. It is also during spring blooms and autumn colors. Prices during these months drop in many areas compared to the peak months of July and August.

Low season is November - March. During these months it is very quiet, especially the coastal resorts, and many hotels close down and attractions are open shorter hours. Prices are their lowest during these months, often 20% - 30% off summer rates.

Is the Provencal Coast a dangerous area?

The Provencal Coast is a safe destination to visit, but as with all French cities, tourists in the department should always be aware of your surroundings. Criminals prefer to pick on tourists because the tourists are usually relaxed and not expecting anything. Avoid being a victim by simply paying attention to your surroundings. Do not leave valuables within view in parked cars. Lock your car while you are in it and not flaunting any valuables.

Can I pay/tip in US dollars?

The currency of France and the Provencal Coast area is the Euro, US dollars are not accepted.

Under the euro system, there are seven notes: 5, 10, 20, 50, 100, 200, and 500 euros. Notes are the same for all countries. There are eight coins: 1 and 2 euros, plus 1, 2, 5, 10, 20, and 50 cents.

ATMs are common in major cities and larger towns and this is one of the easiest ways to get cash. Credit cards are accepted in most establishments. It is a good idea to inform your credit-card company before you travel, otherwise, the credit card might be put on hold due to unusual activity. We recommend you record all your credit card numbers, as well as the phone numbers to call if your cards are lost or stolen.

Banks: Most banks are open Monday through Friday from 9:30am - 4:30pm. Many, particularly in small towns in Provence, take a long lunch between 12 - 2pm. Hours are typically posted on the door.

What is the weather like?

The climate of Provence and the Provencal Coast is `typically Mediterranean`. It is slightly warmer, drier and sunnier than Nice and the Alpes-Maritime, but also less sheltered from the wind. From May - September the weather is nice with good average temperatures. On average, the warmest months are July and August which can reach temperatures in the 90`s. The coldest months are December and January at about 45°F.

I don`t speak French. Will many people speak English?

French is the official language spoken in this region, but there is also another language spoken in Provence, which is Provencal. This dialect was more common in the past but today, it is spoken by a diminishing number of people. Most of the coastal area makes its living through tourism, thus people are generally willing to communicate in English, particularly in the most touristy areas. However, service tends to be a little better if you try to use French. We suggest you get a good English-French guidebook and familiarize yourself with common phrases such as hello, goodbye, excuse me and numbers 1-10.

What is the food like?

Provence is famed for the quality of its food - the region is blessed with a climate and countryscape that produces the finest in fruit, vegetables, herbs, not to mention fish and lamb. Dominated by the ingredients of the Mediterranean cooking - olive oil, wine tomatoes and garlic - the region`s cuisine is guaranteed to be a highlight. Not surprisingly many fine chefs are drawn to this area. You will enjoy their skills when you dine out where you`ll find the food to be almost invariably excellent. There are many types of dining experiences to choose from in the region. Restaurants are formal in France, serving full dinner menus and at a slower pace than what you are used to in North America. It is important to note that it is considered impolite to request that a dish be prepared in a different way than it is stated on the menu.

Cafes, bars and restaurants are available to meet almost all price-points. A vast majority of eateries serve food local to the area. A bistro is more casual and has more individual items. And a café is even more casual, serving press coffee, drinks, sandwiches or pizzas.

Most villages in this region have a market day. You can buy local foods from the farms of each region (breads, cheeses, sausage, olives and preserves), great for enjoying a picnic on the beach or in a park. The Provence region makes many wines as well, with Cassis and Bandol being probably the best known.

What are the popular items to shop for in the Provencal Coast region?

Don`t leave without purchasing some olive oil, this area produces some of the best in the world! The wines in this region are spectacular, as well as the soft soaps, perfumes and cosmetics produced in this region, and lavender anything, being the lavender capital of the world you`ll find everything from lavender sachets to lavender-infused honey. Fine pottery, high-colored fabrics and art and antiques are all popular items to look out for as well.

Note: Value-added tax (VAT) rate is currently 20% in France for standard goods. A reduced rate of 10% applies to restaurants, transport, and certain medical drugs. And a 5.5% tax applies to food, water and non alcoholic beverages, books, some entertainment events and some domestic personal services.

What should I do if I need medical assistance or need to go to the hospital?

Any emergency services call: 112

Police: 117

Medical (this also covers serious and specialized medical emergencies): 115
La Timone Hospital, Marseille: (+33) 4 91 38 00 00
La Ciotat Hospital: (+33) 4 42 08 76 01
Aubagne Hospital: (+33) 4 42 84 70 78

International Association for Medical Assistance to Travelers (IAMAT) offers tips on travel and health concerns in France, and for lists of local, English-speaking doctors visit www.iamat.org.

The United States Centers for Disease Control and Prevention www.cdc.gov provides up-to-date information on health hazards by region or country and offers tips on food safety.

The International Society of Travel Medicine www.istm.org offers listings of reliable medical clinics overseas.