Welcome to Provence, Alpes and Côte d’Azur (2024)

FAQs

What does the Provence Alpes Cote d Azur flag represent? ›

The flag of Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur (PACA) is a banner of its coat of arms. The left half consists of nine vertical stripes of yellow and red, representing Provence. On the right are the dolphin of the former province of Dauphiné (divided between PACA and Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes) and the eagle of the County of Nice.

Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur (French pronunciation: [pʁɔvɑ̃s alp kot dazyʁ]; commonly shortened to PACA; Italian: Provenza-Alpi-Costa-Azzurra; English: Provence-Alps-French Riviera), also known as Région Sud (Southern Region), is one of the eighteen administrative regions of France, the far southeastern on the mainland.

The Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur region, often simply referred to as Provence, in southeastern France offers alpine adventures, rolling vineyards, olive groves and the French Riviera. Many famed and iconic cities and sites populate this region including Nice, Marseille, Monaco, Saint-Tropez and Cannes.

As the main tool of decentralization, the Region is a territorial collectivity that carries the values of the Republic and its motto "Liberté, Egalité, Fraternité".

Thanks to the beauty of its spots, from the Croisette in Cannes to the port of Saint-Tropez and Monte-Carlo's casino, and its world-famous events (Cannes Film Festival, Nice Carnival, Monaco Grand Prix), the Côte d'Azur acquired a global reputation.

The region is split into several distinctive parts, all of which were once administrative regions in their own rights in the decades gone by. While Provence is firmly located in the center south of France, the Côte d'Azur is situated in the southeast, between the Mediterranean Sea and the border with Italy.

Côte d'Azur is originally a nickname given by France to the County of Nice after its annexation in 1860, because the climate was similar to that of the north of Italy, even in winter, with "a sky as blue as its sea".

noun. a region in SE France, bordering on the Mediterranean: formerly a province; famous for medieval poetry and courtly traditions.

The vineyards of the Côtes du Rhône in Vaucluse are renowned for such wines as Châteauneuf-du-Pape. Rice is grown in the marshy delta below Arles, known as the Camargue. Flower crops, including lavender, roses, and jasmine, are also significant and are used by the perfume-manufacturing industry centred in Grasse.

The Côte d'Azur (French Riviera)

It is home to some of France's most beautiful national parks, including the Verdon, Préalpes d'Azur and Mercantour. Hiking enthusiasts can follow the many signposted trails in these parks and discover the natural landscapes of the Côte d'Azur.

What makes Provence unique? ›

Provence is famous for its beautiful scenery, light, and colors. Because of this, the region is associated with more than its share of gifted artists. Such great artists as Vincent Van Gogh, Paul Cézanne and Pablo Picasso.

The last 10 years have seen a sharp rise in the crime rate on Côte d'Azur, with many houses burgled and people having their belongings stolen. Help and information for victims of burglary and those who want to check or improve the security of their property is best done with the local police chief.

French is the official language spoken in Provence. As a hugely popular international tourist destination you may well find that in many restaurants, bars and hotels English is spoken.

The Monts d'Azur reserve is home to European bison (Europe's largest native mammal), roe deer, wild boar, Przewalski horses (the only species of horse never domesticated by man and the closest to a prehistoric horse), red deer, chamois, royal eagles and vultures.

The Provencal Cicada

Like the scent of lavender and mimosas, the shade of pines and olive trees, and the reflection of sun on the sea, the cicada is one of the most iconic symbols in the south.

Origins and symbolism

The design is related to the flags of Catalonia, Foix and France, the lands historically linked with the small country. The coat of arms of Andorra in the center of the flag contains historical symbolism to Bishop of Urgell, Count of Foix, the Principality of Catalonia, and the Viscounty of Béarn.

The flag of Papua New Guinea (Tok Pisin: plak bilong Papua Niugini) was adopted on 1 July 1971. In the hoist, it depicts the Southern Cross; in the fly, a Raggiana bird-of-paradise is silhouetted. The design was chosen through a nationwide design competition in early 1971.

The "tricolore" (three-colour) flag is an emblem of the Fifth Republic. It had its origins in the union, at the time of the French Revolution, of the colours of the King (white) and the City of Paris (blue and red). Today, the "tricolour" flies over all public buildings.