Discover our selection of the 10 best sports to practice in Provence, a region famous for its diversity of landscapes and its ideal climate. From hiking in the calanques to water sports on the Mediterranean, Provence offers a multitude of activities for all sports lovers. Follow our guide to explore the must-do sports activities that make this region of the south of France so special. As winter begins, you will not be disappointed with this Top 10 that we have “concocted” for you!
1. Le ski : avec l’accent du sud !
Don’t look for big hotels or flashy entertainment in the dozen or so small villages that make up Serre Chevalier, but you will find 250 kilometres of well-connected pistes and a relaxed, laid-back atmosphere.
Situated near the Italian border in the Hautes-Alpes, Serre Chevalier is further south than the better-known areas of the Savoy Alps, but altitudes ranging from 1,200 to 2,800 metres, a north-facing position and a third of the total ski area covered by one of the most extensive snowmaking systems in France mean good skiing conditions.
And being outside the ‘high-rent district’ of the Haute-Savoie means skiing and staying here is cheaper.
The lower ski slopes wind through a large larch forest on the north side of a long, high ridge, while the high faces above the forests offer more challenging terrain.
Skiers will find plenty of bowls, excellent tree skiing and the resort is known for its off-piste terrain.
2. The glider: meaning
Are you a thrill seeker and have you always dreamed of flying? Then get on board a glider for an unforgettable experience.
Whether you are near Sisteron, Saint-Rémy les Alpilles or Avignon, you will find an aerodrome or a flight center ready to welcome you!
Once installed, you will be propelled like a kite in the air at more than 200 km/h and all this without an engine! Able to reach an altitude of more than 1,500 m, you will have the chance to discover the Provençal relief in a new way.
In addition and against all expectations, this activity is rather cheap, expect on average 35 euros for an hour of flight.
3. Hiking
The South of France is a unique place for hiking enthusiasts. That is why Planetazur offers you an escape to different areas of the South of France not far from home to offer you a unique stay.
As we described in our article
« “Discover the best Yoga and Hiking spots in Provence!” »,
Hiking is a sport that can be enjoyed by everyone, which is why it is very popular for family holidays.
Indeed, thanks to its accessibility, it is very popular among young people, particularly in the south of France. Indeed, there are many places where you can enjoy hiking.
Here are some examples of places where you might go if you go hiking:
- The Malpasset Dam Loop, Var (83)
- The Gien Peninsula, Var (83)
- The Lower Verdon Gorges, Alpes-de-Haute-Provence, Var (83)
- The Tanneron Ridges, Var (83)
For more details on these places, see the article on the hiking.
4. Climbing
The southern regions of France, Provence and the Cote d’Azur, offer excellent climbing and sport climbing, including Verdon, Buoux, Ceuse and Les Calanques near Marseille.
Verdon – The beautiful Verdon Valley, with its steep limestone cliffs, offers a fantastic range of climbing and sport climbing.
The area is famous for its aerial abseil starts at the start of the main multi-pitch routes.
Other routes are accessed from the valley floor, which are usually single-pitch sport routes.
Buoux – The climbing in Buoux has produced many cult lines and is on a mixture of limestone and sandstone, offering technical climbing, short roofs and steep overhangs.
Ceuse is often described as the best sport climbing area in France. Well Ceuse is certainly blessed with beautifully pocketed limestone, exceptional lines and a magical location.
The majority of the routes are single pitch and the rock climbing varies enormously from overhanging pitcher feasts to steep technical walls.
Rock climbing is a great activity to do in the South of France. Indeed, with Planetazur, there are a multitude of places to practice climbing with the added bonus of sumptuous scenery.
5. The Tyrolean
The many natural parks in the region will offer you the opportunity to practice the children’s favorite activity: the Tyrolean.
Included in the treetop adventure courses or an attraction in its own right, the Tyrolean has found a place in the Provençal sports mix.
After securely strapping yourself in, you will be transported through the forests of Verdon, Sainte-Baume or the Préalpes d’Azur.
If you are near Colmiane, you can have the descent of a lifetime by flying over the ski area aboard the largest Tyrolean zip line in France.
6. Indoor / Outdoor Canyoning
A fabulous site located in the village of Saint-Martin-de-Vésubie in the Alpes Maritimes (06), you will find an indoor canyoning center that is unique in Europe.
A life-size immersion in the world of canyoning with pools and a multitude of waterfalls to cross and climb. You can access it without age limit for anyone aged 10.
Canyoning is a bit like off-piste skiing – there are fantastic days when everything is possible, and days when the canyons are either dry or swollen with white water.
A flooded canyon is extremely dangerous – you cannot fight against the water that flows quickly.
In spring, some canyons are passable without problem, but others are fed by springs located high in the mountains and the water flows dangerously fast.
These canyons should be avoided at all costs. It all depends on the weather conditions of the previous days. A sudden rise in temperature can mean more snow melt.
Similarly, heavy rain in the mountains or a thunderstorm can also cause water levels to rise quickly and cause dangerously high water levels in canyons.
However, the South of France is a world-class destination for canyoning and the Alpes-Maritimes and Alpes-de-Haute-Provence regions offer some of the best descents.
The stunning scenery, crystal clear water and variety of canyons attract both holidaymakers looking for a challenging activity and canyoning enthusiasts.
For inspiring ideas and practical advice on your next adventure, check out our in-depth article on things to do in
7. Le Vélo tout terrain (VTT)
Provence and the Southern Alps have long attracted mountain bikers from all over France, but it’s only in recent years that the region has attracted visitors from further afield. With its dry trails, winter sunshine and easy transport links, the South of France truly is a mountain biker’s paradise.
The climate and geography of the South of France make for great rides all year round. In the summer, choose a higher resort and enjoy the fresh Alpine air.
Spend the rest of the year on lower terrain, on trails facing the sea.
You’ll find the terrain in the South of France to be incredibly varied, with singletrack through limestone, wooded areas and steep mountain terrain that will satisfy the most extreme riders. Finally, there are plenty of other incredible places to go mountain biking in the South of France.
I highly recommend the E-MTB tour provider in Provence,
Their commitment to responsible and quality tourism is perfectly aligned with Planetazur’s values.
Their well-designed tours offer a total immersion in the natural beauty of the region, while emphasizing respect for the environment and the authentic discovery of the local culture.
8. The Trail
Trail running is of course possible in the south of France. For example, in the Hautes-Alpes, there is the Queyras Regional Park. Indeed, this park has 3 Trail courses to satisfy all trail runners according to their endurance levels.
The first, the easiest, is a 3 km course and the third is 9 km. In addition to the difficulty level of these Trails, these courses offer you sublime landscapes of the Hautes-Alpes.
9. Paragliding
Paragliding is a hugely popular sport in the South of France and for good reason. It’s where the mountainous terrain meets the sea, creating world-class flying conditions and plenty of opportunities to soar all year round.
The warm sun draws warm air up the south-facing slopes, creating thermal flares perfect for epic cross-country paragliding.
With the Alpes Maritimes stretching north to the Mediterranean, the coastal mountains of the Côte d’Azur hinterland, the spectacular turquoise lakes of the Verdon and the hot, dry mountainous terrain further west towards Aix-en-Provence, the South of France is one of the most spectacular flying regions in the world.
The region offers a wide variety of flying, from coastal hang gliding to thermal flying, including one of Europe’s premier thermal sites, La Montagne du Chalvet in Saint-André-les-Alpes.
Experience the thrill of a tandem paragliding flight and see the Côte d’Azur from above, or take a course and learn to fly your own wing.
Paragliding schools offering tandem flights, discovery courses, pilot training and flight guides operate throughout the region.
10. Scuba diving
Finally, don’t miss exploring the majestic seabeds of the Côte Bleu with an introductory dive or snorkel. Discover the Bay of Marseille, the Calanques National Park, and Port-Cros in a different way. Provence is full of unique and intense diving experiences.
The coast between Martigues and Marseille has very well-preserved natural marine environments that lend themselves to incredible underwater outings. Around fifteen diving clubs affiliated with the French Federation of Underwater Studies and Sports (FFESSM) are located in Sausset-les-Pins, Carry-le-Rouet and Ensuès-la-Redonne.
They offer introductory dives, exploration dives, courses and training. In July and August, the Côte Bleue Marine Park organizes free guided snorkel tours in the Carry-le-Rouet marine reserve.sports sports sports sports sports sports sports sports sports
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