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Back to work:

Pretend to go back to work!

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  3. Back to work: pretend to go back to work!

So, the holidays are over. It’s time to fire up your computer again and plunge back into your ongoing dossiers. Not a fun idea… And, instead of really going back, what if you extended your stay in the Sud, by watching a sunny series or by choosing your future activities in Provence-Alpes-Côte d’Azur ?

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1. Watch TV series filmed in the Sud

Tout pour la lumière or Plus belle la vie, encore plus belle

There are so many things you can do with a computer… Activate the « productivity » mode… or just have a good time watching a series to remind you of your summer holidays. For example, Tout pour la lumière, the daily series produced by STUDIO TF1, TF1 et Netflix, whose plot unfolds in La Ciotat. On the menu, a succession of shots of the town, the birthplace of cinema, and the exciting adventures of a band of young artists with a love of singing and dancing. Much more interesting than the brief to be finished (it’ll have to wait a little). And while you’re at it, why not plunge into the episodes of another cult TV series made in the Sud: Plus belle la vie, encore plus belle. Since early 2024, part of the scenes have been shot in the village of Allauch, after 18 seasons filmed in Marseille. As you’ve already been procrastinating for several hours, don’t change a thing. Downton Abbey, Transatlantique, The Walking Dead, Emily in Paris, Les Gouttes de Dieu… Did you know that these internationally famous cult series all something in common: some of their sequences were filmed in Provence. We’ll let you find out which ones.

Tout pour la lumière The new show filmed in La Ciotat
A wind of change is blowing over La Ciotat! From sunny landscapes to cinematographic heritage, the town has become the setting for Tout pour la lumière, the new TV series...
Allauch, the new location for “Plus Belle La Vie”!
After 18 seasons and no less than 4,500 episodes shown on France 3, France’s favourite soap opera is back on the TF1 channel with an embellished title “Plus Belle la Vie,...
A tour of Provence’s cult series shooting locations
Magnificent seaside villas, ancient towns and sun-soaked vineyards… Provence is a cameraman’s dream, unveiling its charms in many international cult series.

2. Find your next GR® in the Sud

The emblematic top of the Ubaye or the larch forests in the Écrins

You still don’t want to go back to work? Here’s another suggestion which will make it look like you are working hard (even though you aren’t at all): read our articles on the Grande Randonnée long-distance hikes. Synonymous with adventure and deep reconnexion, they will guide you on unforgettable trips through the varied landscapes of the Sud. Admire the lush green valley of the Laverq and the emblematic summit of the Grande Séolane as you explore the Ubaye Valley and part of the Mercantour National Park on the GR®56, le tour de l’Ubaye – 158 km of pure happiness in 9 stages. Dare yourself to an immersion in the high mountains against a backdrop of larch forests, plants and flowers with the GR®54, le Tour de l’Oisans et des Écrins. The challenge is a big one: it’s famous for being one of the most difficult GRs in Europe. As you walk, you’ll probably see the ibex, chamois and marmots of the Ecrins National Park. From Saint-Amour, in the Jura, to the Var village of Port-Grimaud, the GR®9 du Jura à la Mediterranée will take you through tree-covered mountains, past hanging villages and over wide plateaus bathed in light. Walk through the Baronnies Provençales and their Mediterranean vegetation with its smells of thyme, lavender and holm oak. These are only a few examples, each GR is a different journey – a much more motivating journey than your mailbox.

The Tour de l’Ubaye in 5 days: between Haute-Provence and the Mercantour
Between protected valleys and majestic peaks, the Tour de l’Ubaye offers an unforgettable immersion into the heart of the French Southern Alps. An itinerary filled with...
The Tour du Queyras: villages, Alpine pastures and authentic valleys
Renowned for the beauty and diversity of its panoramas and its environment, the Tour du Queyras, or GR®58, has remained faithful to its reputation over the years. It promises...
La Grande Traversée des Alpes in the Sud region: Mountains, panoramas and traditions
An unforgettable 620-km trek through the majestic landscapes of the Massifs des Cerces, the Queyras, the Ubaye, the Mercantour and the hinterland of Nice, La Grande Traversée...
La Grande Traversée du Mercantour: Mountains and wonders
La Grande Traversée du Mercantour links the mountains to the Mediterranean through breathtaking landscapes, in an out-of-the-ordinary adventure. This demanding route, rich in...
Le Tour de l’Oisans et des Écrins: The most mountinous in the French southern Alps
Well-known for its unique decor and also for its difficulty, le Tour de l’Oisans et des Écrins is a true immersion in the high mountains and an adventure filled with panoramas,...
Les Balcons de la Méditerranée
The GR®51 is a mythical trail which offers an unforgettable adventure and a timeless hike along the Mediterranean coast, in a blend of Côte d’Azur horizons and historic heritage.
La Voie Aurélienne
Between the Mediterranean and the Provençal back-country, the Voie Aurélienne is an invitation to a trip through the centuries. Discover an age-old itinerary for a slow-paced...
Le GR®9 du Jura à la Méditerranée
From the mountains of the Jura to the Mediterranean coast in highly varied landscapes such as the Vercors or the Luberon, the GR®9 unfolds on an itinerary which is unique in...

4. Plan yourself an open air activity

Watch, pedal… and breathe deeply!

If, at this stage, you still don’t feel like working, it’s probably beginning to show. Probably the best thing to do is to force yourself a bit… after having found your next excursion into nature in Provence-Alpes-Côte d’Azur. This will give you an aim. A guided tour on butterflies in the Roya valley, birdwatching on the Var coast, « wildlife » hike in the Gorges de la Méouge… Our nature calendar is full of ideas to air your mind in « green » mode. And don’t forget cycling: Provence-Alpes-Côte d’Azur offers great signposted itineraries, such as La Durance à Vélo, which links Briançon to Sisteron, or La Méditerranée à Vélo, which crosses the Sud from West to East. On top of this, as a prime « nature » destination, where the wide open spaces unveil all their riches and purity, the French Southern Alps are ideal for a contemplative experience. And after that, it’s back to work… full of motivation!

From the Pyrénées to the Alps : The Mediterranean by bike
Set off on the 850 km of the French section of EuroVelo 8: the Mediterranean by bike. You can easily reach this route by public transport (bus or train) and head off from the...
Escape along the Durance by bike
The La Durance à vélo cycle route (V862), which is signposted all the way from Briançon to Manosque, runs alongside the Durance valley, passing through historic sites and...
Tender moments at the Southern Alps’ educational farms
Do your kids love animals? Of course they do! Spend some quality time with them at the Southern Alps’ educational farms, in the company of friendly farmers delighted to...
Giddy up! Riding into the sunset at the Queyras Regional Nature Reserve
Just imagine exploring Queyras Valley, its mountain passes, crystalline lakes, wild trails and forest roads with a faithful hooved companion… This gorgeous area offers a...
Flowers and Wildlife in the Alps
Discover the best places to observe Alpine flowers and head off to meet wild animals in the Alps. Marmots, chamois, bees, and even wolves are waiting for you!

3. Soak Up Some Culture

Exhibitions, shows, festivals: the start of the school year has its bright spots, too.

Summer vacation is over, but before you get back into the daily grind, treat yourself to a few cultural getaways. Think of September as the perfect opportunity to check out that exhibition you’ve been hearing about all summer! Outdoor photo exhibits, live performances, unique tours, or major cultural events: it’s hard to find a better excuse to keep that vacation spirit alive. And let’s be honest: wandering through a museum, strolling through a gallery, or attending a performance is still a much more appealing activity than clearing out your inbox after a three-week absence. From Marseille to Nice, from Avignon to Toulon, the cultural season isn’t over yet. Take a weekend to (re)discover the “Sea, Pop and Sun” exhibition at the Villa Carmignac in Porquerolles—it’s your last chance to enjoy Arles and the Rencontres de la Photographie after the summer buzz—and head to the Matisse Museum in Nice for the “Beauty, Fashion, and Happiness” exhibition, which celebrates the creators Henri Matisse and Yves Saint-Laurent. As you can see, there’s no shortage of cultural opportunities in Provence and on the French Riviera! So, before you dive back into your work, take a few minutes to explore our selection. The new school year is well underway, but the season for cultural outings is just beginning.