Use A Hire Car To Tour The South Of France
The South of France has long been a favoured destination for holidaymakers; the warm Mediterranean sun combined with the fine cuisine has acted as a magnet for tourists. Flying down to the region takes the bulk out of the travelling while the use of a hire car will allow visitors get the most out of this magical stretch of coast.
The south of France is often viewed as an extremely expensive place to holiday; this is a misconception as by the use of car hire services and staying in cheaper hotels the region can be done on a budget.
This province of France is dotted with quintessentially French villages and larger cities that are vibrant and energetic. Marseille is the third largest city in France after Paris and the use of a hire car makes seeing it all easy. The sun beats down upon the city streets so make sure your hire car has air conditioning; you will need it.
This is fundamentally a cultural city with many theatres and art galleries, the artistic heritage is clear, artists such as Renoir spent a lot of time in the city. The old port area is beautiful and hides its industrial history well while the lapping of the deep blue Mediterranean Sea is a constant pleasure.
Jump in your hire car and take a short tour along the coast to Arles. This city is one of the most historical in France and was originally founded by the Greeks around the sixth century BC. The Romans then took the city over and made their mark in terms of architecture and access to the sea; the latter being a canal connecting the city to the Mediterranean Sea.
It was often a headquarter for Roman emperors on military campaigns and subsequently possessed a triumphal arch, a roman circus and theatre, as well as an impressive arena that still stands. Furthermore the medieval period saw Holy Roman Emperor Fredrick Barbarossa’s coronation in the city in 1178.
Touring the Cote d’Azur in your hire car you will most likely wish to visit Monaco although some consider it as separate from France it is, in reality a French region. Famed as the playground of the rich and famous it has long been dependent upon tourism for income.
The many spectacular casinos will have gamblers in heaven while the numerous luxury yachts in the harbour of Mont Carlo illustrate just how rich some holidaymakers are. If a fan of motor racing it is a must see destination, the road race track is open for the majority of the year allowing drivers to take their hire car around the famous hairpins.
Be sure to take your hire car to Nice if on the French Riviera, this city is truly magical and combines a beach resort with one of the most culturally rich cities in France. The city itself is filled with squares like most Mediterranean cities which act as a focal point for community entertainment or just to sit and watch the world go by.
The ‘Place Garibaldi’ has outstanding architecture and history and is named after the Italian revolutionary Giusseppe Garibaldi who was born in the city. It gives some inclination of the Italian heritage of the city; only being annexed by France in 1860.
A car hire holiday in the south of France is an intensely rewarding experience. The idyllic beaches and warm sun will entrance sun worshippers while those interested in culture will be fascinated by the strong Roman influence. This tour can be done on a budget with enough research and the relaxed way of life will ensure you come back from your trip rejuvenated.
Travel expert Thomas Pretty has visited the French Riviera extensively and uses Budget’s car hire France services frequently. To find out more please visit http://www.budget.co.uk/car-hire/car-hire-france.htm
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