The South East of France has great contrast of terraine and therefore climate.

The RHONE-ALPES region encompasses the highest Alps, including Mont Blanc, with such world famous ski areas as Chamonix and Val d'Isere...

...but it also includes, to the west, the gentler slopes with vineyards (producing the grapes for "Beaujolais", among others) on either side of the Rhone River, as it makes its way south (toward the Mediterranean port of Marseille).

Where the Rhone River is joined by the Saone lies the old and beautiful city of Lyon, made rich by the silk industry brought by Florentine artisans in the 15th century.

Elegant river cruises along the Rhone can take you south into PROVENCE, traditionally the restful retreat for the privileged. Van Gogh lovingly portrayed this sun-drenched expanse of olive groves and open countryside scented with lavender. Scattered throughout are Roman ruins and charming villages displaying brightly colored fabrics and pottery. The very names of Aix-en-Provence, Arles, Pont du Gard, and St-Remy evoke these images. The Palais des Papes at Avignon on the banks of the Rhone stands in testament to the years during the early Renaissance that it was the seat of the Papacy.

To the east is the COTE d'AZUR. Along the chalky cliffs overlooking the Mediterranean Sea, fragrant fields of flowers surround the city of Grasse, center of the perfume industry. Driving along the precarious Grande Corniche, one comes to the charming village of Eze.

Below is the coastal area known as the French Riviera. The city of Nice is the gateway to the South of France, with its elegant Promenade des Anglais, elaborate Carnival procession, and Chagall Museum. The Cannes Internaional Film Festival, the Jazz Festival, as well as the Picasso Museum at Antibes and the jet-setting warm winter resorts at St-Tropez and Juan-les-Pins draw people from all over the world.

Off the coast in the Mediterranean Sea lies the mountainous island of CORSICA, densely forested and edged by rugged coastline and interspersed with pink beaches and holiday villages.

Sample Provence itinerary:

Fly directly into Lyon. Pick up a rental car and drive to AVIGNON and spend 4 nights:
(Or: take a leisurely 8-day river cruise from Lyon to Avignon, and pick up your rental car in Avignon.)

• Day #1 to visit the city, including a visit to the Palais des Papes
• Day #2 to explore the countryside to the east (l'Isle-sur-la Sorgue, wonderful for shopping for antiques, through la FONTAINE-de-VAUCLUSE, where there is a Romanesque church and a ruined castle that one might visit; and just 12 miles farther along is the perched village of GORDES, where there is a Renaissance chateau. Then 3 miles beyond is the Senaque Abbey, which houses a Romanesque monastery, a church and cloisters. (For places to see or visit, there's plenty to choose from.)
• Day #3 to explore the countryside to the west (Uzes, an easily walkable 11th century town) and the Roman Aqueduct, knowns as Pont du Gard (see illustration).

Drive south through the Camargue delta of grasslands and preserved wetlands, home to thousands of birds, wild bulls and small white horses:to:
LES-MARIES-SAINTES-MARIES-DE-LA-MER, resonant with gypsy culture, and on for lunch to AIGUES MORTES, the 13th century fortified city on the Mediterranean shore, from which Louis IX set forth to join the Crusades (the how and why of is a complex, interesting story).

...Then, head up towards ARLES, (often called "the soul of Provence"), where you might spend 4 nights:

...the first day enjoying the town of Arles and its many interesting sites, including very impressive Roman ruins.
...The next morning you might drive up to LES BAUX, a mighty fortress ("bastide") perched high on an ochre coloured rock formation rising out of the valley floor,
then stopping for lunch at ST. REMY, and on to visit the remains of the ancient Roman town of GLANUS, nearby the place where Van Gogh spent his last days.
When you cut back west towards Arles, you would likely enjoy visiting the highly fortified castle at TARASCON built during the first half of the 15th century on a rock at the Rhone River, as a bold statement that the power of France ended here.
...The following day, you might drive over to SALON-DE-PROVENCE for lunch,
...and then continue on to visit AIX-en-PROVENCE, the old capital city of Provence, the main street of which, Cours Mirabeau, is one of the most beautiful in Europe. This is Cezanne country.
The next day you would drop your car off at the Arles airport for the short flight to Paris connecting with your transatlantic flight home.

Bon voyage!