Conjure up an image when you hear "the South of France" and it's likely to include high-end boutique hotels, cafes and exquisite beaches where the rich and famous come out to play. Those things exist in the southern part of France, sure, but that's not all of what you'll find there. In fact, partly because of those cliches, there's quite a bit most people don't know about the South of France.
With beautiful natural surroundings, pleasant weather, delicious cuisine and plenty of lesser-known towns that offer a slower pace of life than their jet-set neighbors, it's easy to see why the South of France is appealing -- but keep reading to find out how it can be surprising, too.
Here are 7 "secrets" about the South of France.
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Photos by Wolfgang Staudt, quinet, Laurent Martinez, Szymon Stoma, rhodeson, Szymon Stoma, M i x y