Provence-Alpes-Côte D'Azur

From the sparsely populated French Alps and national parks to the stylish resorts of the Riviera and Côte d’Azur, the region pulls in more European visitors during the summer than any other in France. And Provence, does it really need any introduction other than its name?

The Riviera - strictly speaking stretching from Menton on the Italian border to St Raphaël, down in the département of the Var - has pretty much ballooned in most peoples’ minds to encompass most of the Côte d’Azur.

But like Chanel’s little black dress, it never goes out of fashion, because it has transcended fashion and become one of the great classic holiday destinations.

If your holiday or travel tastes are for beaches, glamour, Roman and Greek history, tucked away villages, nature reserves, skiing, water activities, rambling or simply touring through the uncrowded countryside, this region has it in spades.

You could spend a lifetime of holidays here and still not scratch the surface of possibilities.

However, one word of advice if you’re a first time visitor and a confirmed sandy beach baby: the sandy stretch of beaches peters out just after Juan Les Pins - from then on it’s mostly fine shingle or pebbles.