{"id":16547,"date":"2016-03-14T15:34:55","date_gmt":"2016-03-14T19:34:55","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.nyhabitat.com\/blog\/?p=16547"},"modified":"2019-03-08T13:02:03","modified_gmt":"2019-03-08T17:02:03","slug":"hit-slopes-soak-up-sun-south-france","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.nyhabitat.com\/blog\/2016\/03\/14\/hit-slopes-soak-up-sun-south-france\/","title":{"rendered":"Hit the Slopes and Soak Up the Sun in the South of France"},"content":{"rendered":"<div class=\"img aligncenter wp-image-16557\">\n\t<img src=\"https:\/\/www.nyhabitat.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/03\/South-of-France-chalet-vacation-rental-Southern-Alps-snow-sun-mountains-cabin-PR-954.jpg\" alt=\"Image of an alpine chalet, PR-954\" width=\"750\" height=\"500\" \/>\n\t<div>Sun meets snow on the alpine slopes of the South of France!<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p>Among the many reasons why the <strong>South of France<\/strong> remains one of the world\u2019s premier tourist destinations is its unique geography. Sandwiched between the dramatic peaks of the <a title=\"The French Alps are a great destination for a South of France getaway\" href=\"https:\/\/www.nyhabitat.com\/south-france-apartment\/vacation\/french-alps \">Southern Alps<\/a> and the gentle sweep of the Mediterranean littoral, <a title=\"Provence is more than meets the eye\" href=\"https:\/\/www.nyhabitat.com\/south-france-apartment\/vacation\/provence \">Provence<\/a> and the <a title=\"The French Riviera is one of Europe\u2019s most glamorous vacation destinations\" href=\"https:\/\/www.nyhabitat.com\/south-france-apartment\/vacation\/french-riviera \">French Riviera<\/a> offer snow and sun, the best of both worlds. No time of year is better for enjoying that balance than the spring, when the fresh powder on the Alps makes for world-class skiing, and the warm sun of the coast helps cut the winter\u2019s chill.<\/p>\n<p>Plan your trip to <strong>Provence<\/strong> for the spring and you can enjoy unique recreation, world-famous events, and a mix of weather that has something for everyone!<\/p>\n<p style=\"padding-left: 30px;\"><strong>The Southern Alps: A paradise for skiers<\/strong><\/p>\n<div class=\"img aligncenter wp-image-16558\">\n\t<img src=\"https:\/\/www.nyhabitat.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/03\/South-of-France-snow-snowy-Alps-mountain-range-road-trees.jpg\" alt=\"Image of a mountain in the French Alps\" width=\"750\" height=\"500\" \/>\n\t<div>The white-capped peaks of the Southern French Alps are a great backdrop for any vacation!<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p>The South of France may be famous for its sunny beaches and turquoise seawater, but up above the coast lies a wholly different attraction: the craggy slopes of the <strong>Southern Alps<\/strong>. The massive mountain range spans eight countries and draws over 120 million visitors annually, many of whom visit famed resorts along the French-Italian border, such as Chamonix. The more affordable and less tourist-mobbed <a title=\"The Southern Alps are a magical wintertime destination\" href=\"https:\/\/www.nyhabitat.com\/blog\/2012\/10\/01\/visit-southern-french-alps-fall-winter\/ \">ski resorts of the Southern Alps<\/a> are a good option for any slope-hunting traveler!<\/p>\n<p>Take advantage of end-of-season snowfall at these ski slopes in the Southern Alps:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>La <strong>Colmiane<\/strong>: Situated due north of Nice and just a few kilometers from the Italian border, this valley-bound town\u2019s ski season goes on until March 28.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<ul>\n<li><strong>Valberg\/Beuil<\/strong>: This ski destination can be found in the <strong>Mercantour National Park<\/strong> and its ski season lasts until April 2.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<ul>\n<li><strong>Isola 2000<\/strong>: Perfect for visitors looking to take advantage of the European Union\u2019s open borders, this resort is just a few miles from the Italian border with France. It\u2019s also a great option for last-minute vacations, as the ski season lasts until April 17.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<ul>\n<li><strong>Auron<\/strong>: Less isolated than some alternatives, the Auron ski resort is near the town of Saint-\u00c9tienne-de-Tin\u00e9e. Their ski season also closes on April 17.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<ul>\n<li><strong>Les Orres<\/strong>: Located just outside of the <strong>Ecrins National Park<\/strong> and uphill from the beautiful <strong>Serre-Pon\u00e7on Lake<\/strong>, this resort remains open to skiers until mid-April.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<div class=\"img aligncenter wp-image-16556\">\n\t<img src=\"https:\/\/www.nyhabitat.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/03\/South-of-France-chalet-vacation-rental-night-Alps-snow-mountain-tree-cabine-wood-PR-954.jpg\" alt=\"Image of an alpine chalet, vacation rental PR-954\" width=\"750\" height=\"500\" \/>\n\t<div>This warm refuge from the alpine cold, a chalet in the French Alps, is a great place to enjoy the last snows of winter!<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p>Instead of staying at a resort for everyday essentials that come at nosebleed-inducing prices, consider one of our unique South of France <a title=\"Find your home-away-from-home in a vacation rental\" href=\"https:\/\/www.nyhabitat.com\/south-france-apartment\/vacation \">vacation rentals<\/a>. You might even find a last-minute travel deal to save money on your trip! Located approximately 35 kilometers (22 miles) northwest of the ski slopes mentioned above, our <a title=\"Take a look at this two-bedroom chalet vacation rental in the French Alps\" href=\"https:\/\/www.nyhabitat.com\/south-france-apartment\/vacation\/954\">2-bedroom chalet in La B\u00e2tie Neuve<\/a> is the perfect place to warm up for your apr\u00e8s-ski! A full kitchen, internet access, and sleeping space for 4 make the cabin a comfortable home-away-from-home nestled into the mountainside.<\/p>\n<p style=\"padding-left: 30px;\"><strong>Winter activities for non-skiers<\/strong><\/p>\n<div class=\"img aligncenter wp-image-16560\">\n\t<img src=\"https:\/\/www.nyhabitat.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/03\/South-of-France-wood-cabin-house-field-lake-shore-Alps-mountain-range-view-spring.jpg\" alt=\"Image of a cabin in front of an alpine mountain range\" width=\"750\" height=\"500\" \/>\n\t<div>Imagine waking up every day to an alpine view like this!<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p>Thankfully, visitors to the Alps don\u2019t have to spend all their time out in the cold\u2013there are plenty of other great experiences in the region during the late winter and spring!<\/p>\n<p>Even if you\u2019re not a skier or snowboarder, you can enjoy the unique alpine environment with a <strong>glacier hike<\/strong> in the <strong>Ecrins National Park<\/strong>. Or, for the less physically ambitious, the mountains can be appreciated aesthetically with a tourist flight or <strong>helicopter tour<\/strong> of the area. If you stay near <strong>Gap<\/strong>, you can head to the local Tallard Airport for one of these spectacular scenic tours above the landscape.<\/p>\n<p>There are also the classic destinations of the Mediterranean Coast, where bustling cities like <a title=\"Marseille is France\u2019s second city, a bustling multicultural hub\" href=\"https:\/\/www.nyhabitat.com\/blog\/2012\/09\/10\/48-hours-marseilles-provence\/ \">Marseille <\/a>and <a title=\"Nice is more than just nice \u2013 it\u2019s a fantastic vacation destination!\" href=\"https:\/\/www.nyhabitat.com\/blog\/2013\/08\/05\/48-hours-nice-french-riviera\/ \">Nice<\/a> provide ample opportunities for tourists. Some of the <a title=\"The South of France is famous for its cuisine \u2013 learn why with our guide\" href=\"https:\/\/www.nyhabitat.com\/blog\/2012\/07\/30\/provence-food-famous-southern-french-cuisine\/ \">region\u2019s most famous dishes<\/a> are especially well-adapted for winter, from bouillabaisse, a fish stew evoking the bustling port of Marseille, to the comforting ratatouille of the Italian border region. One of the most phenomenal natural attractions of the coastline is just as beautiful (and less tourist-filled) in the winter: the <strong>Calanques National Park<\/strong> that stretches from Marseille to Cassis!<\/p>\n<p style=\"padding-left: 30px;\"><strong>Plan your stay around a New York Habitat vacation rental<\/strong><\/p>\n<div class=\"img aligncenter wp-image-16559\">\n\t<img src=\"https:\/\/www.nyhabitat.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/03\/South-of-France-Villeneuve-Loubet-Cote-d\u2019Azur-French-Riviera-Marina-Baie-des-Anges-PR-1223.jpg\" alt=\"Image of the Marina Baie des Anges development on the French Riviera, PR-1223\" width=\"750\" height=\"500\" \/>\n\t<div>The Marina Baie des Anges development in Villeneuve-Loubet benefits from a dramatic Alpine backdrop.<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p>One corner of the South of France that\u2019s particularly well-adapted for combining snow and skis with sand and sun is <strong>Villeneuve-Loubet<\/strong>, a historic town just south of Nice\u2019s airport. As shown above, the picturesque <strong>Mercantour-Argentera Mountain Range<\/strong> towers over this former fishing village.<\/p>\n<p>The <strong>Marina Baie des Anges <\/strong>dominates the resort town, echoing the mountain peaks behind it as well as the white sails of the ships that traverse the C\u00f4te d\u2019Azur. This <a title=\"Our one-bedroom vacation rental apartment in Villeneuve-Loubet is just steps from the sea!\" href=\"https:\/\/www.nyhabitat.com\/south-france-apartment\/vacation\/1223 \">1-bedroom apartment<\/a> is located in <strong>Le Baronnet, <\/strong>one of the four modernist buildings, and benefits from the development\u2019s state-of-the-art thalassotherapy center and private marina.<\/p>\n<div class=\"img aligncenter wp-image-16561\">\n\t<img src=\"https:\/\/www.nyhabitat.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/03\/South-of-France-Antibes-Cannes-Cote-d\u2019Azur-French-Riviera-outside-terrace-studio-PR-1224.jpg\" alt=\"Image of the terrace of PR-1224\" width=\"750\" height=\"500\" \/>\n\t<div>Enjoy the warm Mediterranean sun on the terrace of a New York Habitat vacation rental!<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p>A few miles down the coast, between <strong>Antibes<\/strong> and <a title=\"Cannes has much more to it than its famous Film Festival\" href=\"https:\/\/www.nyhabitat.com\/blog\/2012\/08\/20\/48-hours-in-cannes-french-riviera\/ \">Cannes<\/a>, this <a title=\"Don\u2019t miss out on this studio vacation rental accommodation near Antibes and Cannes\" href=\"https:\/\/www.nyhabitat.com\/south-france-apartment\/vacation\/1224 \">unique studio-style vacation rental<\/a> is a part of the owner\u2019s property and has access to their private pool. A full kitchen and modern conveniences (like a flat-screen television and<strong> air conditioning<\/strong>) make the accommodation great for a <a title=\"There\u2019s no place for romance like the South of France\" href=\"https:\/\/www.nyhabitat.com\/blog\/2015\/06\/29\/apartments-romantic-getaway-provence\/ \">romantic South of France trip<\/a> or a last-minute vacation. The rental is also in a prime location if you\u2019re planning a stay that coincides with one of the French Riviera\u2019s seasonal events!<\/p>\n<p style=\"padding-left: 30px;\"><strong>Springtime events<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>Thanks to its balmy weather, beautiful scenery and unparalleled tourist infrastructure, the South of France is home to many <a title=\"Provence and the French Riviera are home to many interesting events\" href=\"https:\/\/www.nyhabitat.com\/blog\/2014\/10\/27\/top-yearly-events-provence-french-riviera\/ \">famous international events and conferences<\/a>, as well as historically important regional celebrations.<\/p>\n<p>The <strong>Feria d\u2019Arles<\/strong> maintains a tradition that&#8217;s both beloved and controversial in France: bullfighting. Though its trade differs slightly from the more famous Spanish variety, <a title=\"Arles is one of the South of France\u2019s best kept secrets\" href=\"https:\/\/www.nyhabitat.com\/blog\/2011\/11\/02\/learn-about-art-living-provence-arles\/ \">Arles<\/a>\u2019s bull fighters kick off the summer season with an Easter celebration that the municipality has organized since 1965.<\/p>\n<div class=\"img aligncenter wp-image-16555\">\n\t<img src=\"https:\/\/www.nyhabitat.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/03\/South-of-France-Cannes-Film-Festival-movie-model-glamour-fashion-French-Riviera-Cote-d\u2019Azur.jpg\" alt=\"Image of a model on the balcony of the Palais des Festivals in Cannes\" width=\"750\" height=\"500\" \/>\n\t<div>Cannes, perhaps the most glamorous regional city, is the jewel of the French Riviera.<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p>Perhaps the most famous event in the region during spring (if not the whole year) is the <strong>Festival de Cannes<\/strong>, considered the world\u2019s most prestigious film festival. Held in mid-May each year (May 11-22 in 2016), the event draws A-listers from both sides of the Atlantic and previews films and documentaries for the year to come. Only one film leaves with the coveted <strong>Palme d\u2019Or<\/strong>, making the event a high-stakes competition.<\/p>\n<p>Another internationally renowned event is held at the other end of the C\u00f4te d\u2019Azur in the minuscule <strong>Principality of Monaco<\/strong>. This, of course, is the <strong>Grand Prix<\/strong>, Formula 1 racing\u2019s most important contest and one of the three that form the Triple Crown of Motorsport. The racecourse winds through the narrow streets of the 0.78 square mile (2.02 square kilometer) microstate, making it thrilling to be a spectator!<\/p>\n<p>Summer in the South of France brings even more exciting cultural events like the international <strong>F\u00eate de la Musique<\/strong> (held on the June solstice), the theater-focused <strong>Festival d\u2019Avignon<\/strong> (starting on July 4), and the operatic <strong>Festival d\u2019Aix en Provence<\/strong> (starting on June 30 this year).<\/p>\n<p>With all these amazing events to choose from, you\u2019ll want to book a vacation rental as soon as possible! And with so much culture and scenery available year-round, you might want to consider a longer stay in one of our <a title=\"Our furnished apartment rentals let you live like a local\" href=\"https:\/\/www.nyhabitat.com\/south-france-apartment\/furnished \">furnished rentals<\/a>.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Among the many reasons why the South of France remains one of the world\u2019s premier tourist destinations is its unique geography. Sandwiched between the dramatic&#8230;<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":[],"categories":[43],"tags":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.nyhabitat.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/16547"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.nyhabitat.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.nyhabitat.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.nyhabitat.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.nyhabitat.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=16547"}],"version-history":[{"count":8,"href":"https:\/\/www.nyhabitat.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/16547\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":19642,"href":"https:\/\/www.nyhabitat.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/16547\/revisions\/19642"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.nyhabitat.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=16547"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.nyhabitat.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=16547"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.nyhabitat.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=16547"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}