Top 4 Christmas activity gifts | Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur Tourism

1 – A nature outing

If he or she is more of an adventure lover and thrill seeker, how about a sporty hike on our rocky mountain slopes, an exhilarating horse ride or whitewater rafting in the translucent waters of the Verdon Canyon? If slow mode is their thing, consider a more contemplative activity like a trip to a lush island on a beautiful sailboat or hybrid boat, topped off with a touch of stargazing… Abounding with a thousand different landscapes to explore, between mountain, sea and country, Provence-Alpes-Côte d’Azur has everything you need for the perfect gift. A bespoke getaway to savour before, during and after, as they pore over their favourite souvenir pics with their partner or family.

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Canyoning - Mercantour Guides Office

Ecuries Le Petit Roman

Aquattitude Base Nautique - Activités nautiques

Afternoon cruise on a Classic Ketch

Traversée pour l'île de Porquerolles avec Latitude Verte

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Promenade à cheval avec Provence Hipposervices

Observatory of provencal Baronnies

2 – A cooking class or gourmet walking tour

Always a source of authentic emotions, cooking brings us together and warms our hearts. Here in Provence-Alpes-Côte d’Azur, it is a genuine lifestyle, synonymous with sharing. Offer a beloved foodie the eternal gift of a cooking class, complete with the secrets of talented chefs to take back home and reproduce in their own kitchen, before handing them down in turn… In Provence, you’ll find cooking class venues for every taste: at a buzzing city market, a Michelin-starred restaurant on the banks of the Durance, or in the heart of the vines. In the Southern Alps, you’ll find a palette of gourmet walking tours combining eating pleasures with magical scenery you can explore on foot or with snowshoes. Alternatively, why not succumb to the temptation of a vineyard tour on an electric bike in the gentle winter sunshine of the Côte d’Azur?

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3 – A tasty and committed meal

At this time of year, when Christmas shopping tends to get somewhat out of hand, how about opting for a meaningful gift, such as lunch or dinner at a sustainable table with a low environmental impact? It’s definitely possibly to pamper your loved ones while nurturing the planet. Here in Provence-Alpes-Côte d’Azur, our bistros and committed Michelin-starred restaurants – the prices range from modest to extravagant depending on your budget – promise a return to life’s simple pleasures, with dishes concocted with local, seasonal ingredients and no unnecessary waste. Just take your pick: a bite to eat in Marseille at a contemporary eatery boasting a 100% organic vegetarian menu, a typical French bistronomic meal, or a star-studded feast worthy of that sequinned dress…

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4 – A rejuvenating night at a cosy, eco-friendly establishment

Close your eyes and imagine him or her gazing out of the window of a cosy room, as snowflakes fall on the enchanting mountainscapes of La Blanche Valley… They’ll be thinking about the following morning, when they’ll be slipping into their skis before heading out onto the slopes. Next, imagine them reading a good book by the fireside in La Tinée Valley – alright for some! If the Mediterranean is their thing, how about a detox and relaxation break at a cosy, wood-clad hotel near Saint-Tropez. Countryside? A typical, ivy-covered Provencal guest house with green shutters, nestling in the heart of the Verdon Regional Nature Reserve, should do the trick. It’s straight out of a romantic novel.

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