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| France | |
| Fast facts | |
Full Name: French Repubic The South of France, known to many as the Cote d'Azur, is one of Europe's most famous playgrounds. The Cote d'Azur is in fact that part of France's Mediterranean coast that starts at Marseilles and finishes at the Italian border. Our definition of the South of France also includes the coast along the Gulf of Lions, towards the Spanish border.
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The two areas are very different in character, but both share similar weather - fairly warm in summer, cool and wetter in winter. TheNortherly Mistral can be a hazard in both areas,but particularly in the Gulf of Lions.The Cote d'Azur is mainly rocky with picturesque coves and inlets, and appealing offshore islands. The Gulf of Lions is mainly flat and sandy with post-war purpose-built holiday towns and regular marinas. The charter industry is concentrated around the Cote d'Azur, which although very expensive is also hugely attractive. |
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| Climate | |
| Long, hot dry summers, & short, mild winters have ensured the popularity of this region. This balmy climate allows a broad range of vegetation to flourish, and provides the area with a unique cuisine. | |
| Cruising notes | |
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Provence: Marseille was founded by Greeks, in about 600 BC, as the city of Phocea. Marseille has the oldest chamber of commerce in France. It was established in 1599. The city boasts of mosques and synagogues and many varieties of Christian churches. Its bars and brothels have been a magnet for dishonest dealings, and its waterfront still evokes the romance of a gateway to distant lands. Toulon is both a Provencal town and a seaport on the Mediterranean Sea. It is the capital of the Department of Var. It is also one of France's principal naval bases, possessing the most important of the Mediterranean dry-docks and shipbuilding yards. Toulon's fine bay opens to the east. The most sheltered part, the Petite Rade and the Darse Vieille, in the west, is largely under control of the French Navy. Here, the navy is provided with a well-protected anchorage. The Faron Mountains form an imposing backdrop to the town. |
Porquerolles is the biggest of the three Iles d'Or in the Hyères gulf. 7km long and 3km wide, Porquerolles is the most popular, with the largest population. It is situated at the same latitude as Cap Corse, and therefore shares the same pleasant climate - almost daily sunshine (more than 300 sunny days a year), mild winters (rarely below 0°C) and hot summers with a delightfully cool seabreeze. Almost the same size as it's neighbour, Porquerolles, from the air Levant appears like a long rocky outcrop 8 kms long and only 2 kms wide. Only a tenth of its territory is open to the public. Covered by superb and luxurious vegetation, as you approach Levant it reveals all the charms of a true paradise. Port Cros is located between Porquerolles and Levant islands. It's the smallest of the three islands which make up the "îles d'Or" in the golf of Hyères. 4 km long and 3 km wide the island extends over 690 hectares. The island has five forts which bear witness to it's past as defense for Port Cros. The oldest fort dates from François 1st reign (Fort du Moulin). Only two of the forts are open to the public: the Fort de l'Eminence (30 mn by foot from the port) and the Fort de l'Estissac (15 mn by foot from the port). The latter is an ideal vantage point to view the island. |
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French Riviera With moderate breezes, multiple anchorages, various landscapes, the sunshine-guaranteed Côte d'Azur is charming in so many different ways. It is a privileged navigational zone bursting with ports, towns, villages and islands. You will navigate from one pleasure to the next, whether it is navigational, gastronomic, or cultural. Corsica Wild and untamed with corners barely touched by man; Corsica is an exceptional place for a yacht charter vacation. |
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update jan 10 |
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