Physicians on a medical cruise ship conference to the Rhone river in Provence, France will find it very easy to fall in love with this historically rich region. Often, this may inspire them to work towards retiring here in the future. 

It’s not difficult to see why many expatriates love this southern province and consider it the best parts of France put together in one package. 

Clear blue skies, mountain ranges that come close to the sea, meadows in full bloom, and not to mention the medieval towns and cobblestone streets. It’s easy to see why Provence has inspired famous artists like Vincent Van Gogh and Picasso to paint here. 

Compared to many parts of France, Provence has much milder weather, although it gets around 3,000 hours of sunlight every year. The region doesn’t receive plenty of rainfall, making it ideal for retirees who still have an active lifestyle and want to spend most of their days outdoors. 

The days go by a bit slower in Provence -- perfect for a retired ex-pat. The locals have a more relaxed approach to everyday life -- even those who live in more urban areas. To be fair, when you’re in a province filled with beautiful landscapes and historical sites, it’s not hard to stop and take in the sights for a moment or two. 

That isn’t to say that Provence is a dull, quiet place. Far from it. There’s always food, music or art festival happening somewhere in the region. 

Provencal cuisine is quite unique from mainstream French cuisine in that it is more Mediterranean thanks to its long history and proximity with Italy. Its farmer’s markets are always stocked with a wide variety of fruits, vegetables, cheeses, and oils. Provence is also the oldest winemaking region in France -- if you’re a wine connoisseur, you’re definitely in the right place. 

Interested in visiting Provence first before your future retirement? Physicians are in luck -- Healthy MD CME will be having a Rhone CME river cruise in 2020. Visit them at healthymdcme.com for more information on their program and itinerary.