Summer Comfort Tips for Visitors to Provence

Sightseeing Advice for Travelers Vacationing in the South of France

Oct 22, 2009

Many residents of France go on vacation during July and August when it is too hot to work. These helpful tips can make any visitor more comfortable during these months.

Summer visitors should plan outdoor excursions in the late afternoon. Daylight lasts until 9 p.m., so this still leaves plenty of time to enjoy trips to beaches or historical locations. One such celebrated site is the bull arena in Arles, France.

Bullfights at the Course Camarguaise in Provence

The bullfight begins in the late afternoon. Arrive early enough to get seats in the shaded area of the Course Camarguaise arena in Arles. A late arrival means sitting on uncomfortable stone seats in the unrelenting sun. Wear a brimmed hat or visor and bring a good supply of water for each person. This would be the place to bring out the fan that rarely gets used. Almost every city has an arena, but the bulls are not killed.

Bulls fighting with dogs, bears and lions date back to 1402 in the city of Arles, but since the beginning of the 20th century it has become a tradition of the area for boys and men (raseteurs) to compete with top quality bulls. The raseteur provokes the bull, and during the charge he tries to lift off a rosette, then a tassel. Each course lasts for 15 minutes before a new bull is introduced to the competition.

Suggestions for Summer Attire

Close-fitting slacks are not recommended. Wear loose-fitting clothing in airy, lightweight fabrics with as few undergarments as possible. (For women, that means ditching the bra if at all possible). Sandals, although open and cool, must be sturdy, since walking on uneven ground and up steep cement stairs is taxing on the legs as well as one’s endurance. Clark’s brand sandals are favored by many travelers. Flip-flops do not give enough support, it would be better to wear a sturdy pair of closed shoes without socks.

Ask for Brochure Translations at Visitor Centers

At a public event or historic location, descriptive brochures are often written only in the language of the country. Locate a visitor’s center to find the same material published in English. Ask a host or clerk if these are not found on display.

Allow Plenty of Time to Catch a Train

Older train stations in some cities do not have elevators, waiting platforms are confusing and there may be no staff available. Loudspeaker announcements are hard to understand and information centers are difficult to find and access.

Once the train pulls up to the platform, steps up into the train are steep, doors open for only a short time and many times the only help with luggage is from other passengers who also have the need to get on quickly.

An exception is the TGV or High Speed Train, serving France, Switzerland, Germany and Belgium. The station information center is visible and easy to access. The train is air conditioned and comfortable assigned seats include foot rest, tray table and reading light.

Bottled Water Served in Restaurants and Hotels

Since tap water is not of good quality in many countries, bottled water is served in restaurants and can be very expensive, as much as five dollars. If on a budget, it is best not to order it. Tip: Bring small bottles of water in a backpack for children. They can take discreet sips throughout the meal.

Note: The same rules of hygiene observed in U.S. cities may not apply. In one otherwise trendy bistro, a wait person reached a bare hand into a jar of unwrapped mints to provide for customers after dinner. Careful travelers should keep an eye out for this kind of occurrence.

Wise Use of Hotel Amenities

When planning to visit several hotels, carry along the unused travel-sized shampoo containers, bath gel or any other amenities to the next hotel. It is often the case that these handy items will not be supplied.

Toilet paper is of better quality now than in years past, but it’s wise to slip a roll from home into a suitcase. It can also double in use as a handkerchief if necessary.

Tips Also Useful for Other Countries

Using these few simple tips will keep a traveler much more comfortable during a vacation in the South of France, but can easily be applied to other areas of travel as well.

The copyright of the article Summer Comfort Tips for Visitors to Provence in S Europe Travel is owned by June Smith. Permission to republish Summer Comfort Tips for Visitors to Provence in print or online must be granted by the author in writing.