What does 'provence' mean?

Question

What part of France are people referring to, when they say provence? North? East? Is Normandy considered provence?

Can you suggest a 'provence' I can visit while in Paris?

I want to experience a village feel of France.

Answer 1

"La Provence" is a region in the south of France, and "La province" is all France but Paris. I answered it because i suppose you thought about "province" instead of "Provence" in your question. If i'm right, Normandy is in "province" but not "Provence". And in this case, if there's one "province" you want to visit while in Paris (cause "une province" is a region and "la province" is all "provinces" but Paris' one), Normandy is a good choice cause close to Paris and typical.

But remember that each "province" has its own identity, i mean landscapes, architecture, cuisine, traditions... so i advise you to take a guidebook about France, one full of pictures, so that you can "fall in love" with one particular region that would be your choice. Because no comparison possible between Normandy, Burgundy, Alsace, Dordogne, Provence, Loire Valley...

Answer 2

It is a part or most of what the english call the Riviera...

Marseilles and the vicinity on the mediteranean cost.

Answer 3

provence is probably the most beautiful place i've ever been to.  

it's a section of France in the south, with vineyards and lavender fields galore.  Absolutely goregous.  

My aunt and uncle have a summer home in a tiny village, and i honestly say i've never been anywhere quite like it.  they had a vineyard in the back of their home, and a village uptop a cliff looking down onto the homes.

visit it any chance you get-- you can take the TGV to Avingon (which is also to-die-for) and then get a rental car and enjoy the country.

vive la france!

Answer 4

The name of the region known as Provence comes from the days of the Roman Empire when it became the first province of the empire outside of Italy. It was simply called "The Province" i.e. "Provence." Like so many things the Romans did, the name stuck.

Its is in the south of France.

Answer 5

Hello,

This is the Word Web dictionary's definition for " PROVENCE!

A former province of South Eastern France, now administered with Cote d'Azur.

BringBaka

Answer 6

If you want to visit a nice part of France when in Paris, Normandy is near and has good train connections to Paris.

I have been in Rouen, in Normandy, last year, and it is just over an hour travel from Paris, will cost about 15 to 20 euro per single trip, depending on the time of day.

But get a good guidebook, I like the Lonely planet series, for a lot more information.

They also give one and two day outings from Paris.

I think that any train trip to a small town, out in the morning and back in by night will help you to get the feeling of France, as long as you get outside the big Paris area.