The Magic of the Var - The Unknown part of Provence/Cote d'Azur - Alain Ducasse's Inn - La Bastide de Moustiers

Moustiers( in the undiscovered Haut-Var region of Eastern Provence) is a very pretty little village , set in a wonderful natural setting – the village sits astride a rushing mountain stream that divides the two halves of the village with a narrow rocky canyon. The view of this mini-gorge, with small waterfalls down inside and medieval houses above, is beautiful. The sound of the river, and the running fountains all over the village, give Moustiers the feeling of an Alpine village. It’s full of shops and restaurants – many of the boutiques selling the famous Moustiers ceramics Nearby is the Grand Canyon of France; The Gorges Verdon. 
The only place to stay here is Alain Ducasses lovely and romantic inn, the luxurious Bastide de Moustiers which is just outside the village itself. It’s a wonderful hotel – a converted old stone house, set in its own extensive grounds and with additional accommodation in little stone cottages a short distance from the main house and because its part of the Alain Ducasse cooking empire, the place to eat!!

Domaine de Capelongue - Hidden In the Provence Luberon Valley Hillside

In the Luberon, many restaurants, hotels and resorts close the weekend after Armistice Day on November 11 and the valley hibernates — a chilly slumberous sometimes rain-lashed place — until mid-March.

But come Spring, in the pine hills above the village of Bonnieux sits the Domaine de Capelongue. Besides being a hotel, it is also a Michelin 2 star restaurant.

Petit Train Jaune or Little Yellow Train - French Pyrenees

For a breathtaking yet enjoyable ride through the Langedoc-Roussillon area (just southwest of Provence) , try taking the "Petit Train Jaune" or "Little Yellow Train" through the Pyrenees mountains from Villefrance de Conflent to Mont Louis. The 63km route is open all year. Its a fantastic ride ( unless you are afraid of heights!) through 15 tunnels or so and over 2 major bridges. The scenery is absolutely breaktaking at almost every turn. If you have a France Rail Pass, it does cover this ride. Picnic at the top before your return ride.