There was a time when only the wealthy traveled to the south of France to winter along the Riviera. Changes in labor laws during the 1930s allowing the French guaranteed paid vacation time, and the post-war economic boom now brings visitors south at all times of year.

Summer

Arguably the busiest time of year in the south of France, Brigitte Bardot and her St. Tropez tan popularized beach destinations in the 1950s and 60s. Now, la mer is where many Europeans head in July and August. Prices are at a premium, traffic is at a standstill and it's hot. You can circumvent a bit of this chaos by arriving early. June, while occasionally not quite as warm as one would hope, is still pleasant and quieter, since French schools let out at the end of the month. The lavender fields are in bloom at this time.

Fall

After the first week in September, things begin to calm down. Prices start to head south while the crowds of summer turn north. In higher elevations, the lavender that was harvested earlier is now at the presses, and the intensely heady aroma wafts in the cooler autumn breezes. Many small towns and villages have harvest festivals where you can pick up local delicacies, like blackbird paté!

Winter

Though hardly the Arctic, Provence can be chilly during the winter. Freezing temperatures, especially at higher elevations, are not unheard of. Freak snow storms wreak havoc with road services unaccustomed to dealing with the heavy, wet stuff. Still, it's not likely you can sit outside at a café in Paris in December, but a fairly good bet that you can most anywhere along the Mediterranean. The Christmas season brings the santons ("little saints" in the local Provençal language) to market. These handcrafted figures represent the village people around the Christmas nativity scene, and are popular souvenirs.

Spring

Spring is often the season of the mistral , the biting wind that blows down the Rhone River valley. Local legend has it that the mistral blows in multiples of 3 days. So, if it's still blowing after 3 days, it's likely to go for 6 and so on. Never mind the number of days, the wind's strength is notable for bending young trees parallel to the ground and pushing bicyclists into traffic. Notable events in spring include the Cannes Film Festival in mid-May, the Grand Prix Formula 1 in Monaco in May, and in villages at higher elevations, the traditional transhumance festivities when local sheepherders move their flocks to higher grazing grounds for the summer.