A Week in Provence…

It’s been some years ago that author Peter Mayle wrote the award winning novel, A Year in Provence, and everyone who’s read it tells me that it is a must-read, particularly since I enjoy the region so much. Still, I haven’t gotten around to getting my hands on it yet, but I do plan on doing so sometime before this year is over. Unfortunately, I don’t have a full year in Provence, but I am able to manage a week. I can’t express enough the connection that I feel here. As much as I adore Paris, I never want to leave the South of France, namely Provence. There’s something about the sun, the blue skies, the laid-back and friendly people, the palm trees, the Mediterranean, and exquisite seafood that draws me in. I do my best to try and capture through the lens what I see and feel. But still…you just have to experience this for yourself! Meanwhile, here are some pics of what I’ve been up to during my week in Provence. This is a favorite, so get ready because there’s lots of photos!

LUBERON

Luberon is one of Provence’s subregions and is where I chose to make my home for the week. Initially I had thought of Aix-en Provence, a well-known destination for most visitors to the region. But then I took into consideration that Aix is a larger city and is very popular, which means more people, more commercialism, and frankly not quite the “Provençal” feel that I had in mind. Somehow I stumbled onto Luberon. I think I was at home one Sunday afternoon doing a random search of villages in Provence and came across one named Lourmarin, located within Luberon. Apparently Lourmarin also has the official designation, “L’un des plus beaux villages de France” which means one of France’s most beautiful villages. Well of course I’m interested!

Ma maison (my home)…

Lourmarin- Le Village (the Village)

Every village has at least one designated Market Day and here in Lourmarin it is every Friday. Vendors fill the streets with goods made locally and the residents (and visitors alike) go to buy their fruits, vegetables, cheese, meats, seafood, and whatever else they can find!

The lady below has owned this little market since 1968 and she continues to run business as she did over 40 years ago. She has no business software, no computers, no cash registers, not even a calculator. She simply uses a pen and paper to add up the totals. Then in her plastic bowl is where she keeps change to give to her customers. Gotta love it!

Just steps away from my door is the Château de Lourmarin or the Lourmarin Castle. It’s one of the few that I’ve been to so far that is fully furnished, is open to the public and allows photo taking. Take a look inside!

A favorite pastime of mine while here is window shopping or as the French would say, “faire du lèche vitrine”. Check out the très chic storefront displays!

These picturesque hilltop towns of Provence are within minutes drive of Lourmarin…

Bonnieux

Cucuron

Roussillon

Gordes

As you can see from the photos of Gordes above, the town is not one with huge crowds of tourists.  A few here and there, but compared with places like Aix-en-Provence or Avignon, Gordes is not one of your popular routes on the tourist trail, which is why this story is so funny. I’m walking through this small village and at the ice-cream shop I hear (American) English. So I ask one of the women if their group is from the United States and she says yes. We chat a little bit about our respective hometowns and as it it turns out, not only are they from Georgia, but from Lawrenceville of all places! Then…the husband adds that he attended Parkview High School years ago and is currently good friends with one of the central office administrators at Gwinnett County Schools. Like the sayîng goes, “It is a small world indeed”.

Abbaye de Santenay

Les Beaux de Provence is a little further away, but still is less than an hour drive from Lourmarin. Traces of habitation date back to 6000 BC! Amazingly, people still live here today with a population of about 400 residents.

Aix-en-Provence isn’t too far away either, just half an hour from Lourmarin!

The Mediterranean Porsche Club

While driving one afternoon in Provence,  I saw a gathering of a group of people, parked cars, and a sign that read, Porsche Club Méditerranée. I was actually on my way to someplace else, but then made a U-turn when I saw this! Apparently this is an organized get-together for members of the Mediterranean Porsche Club and anyone else who wants to attend too. I’m not even a car person, but the exhibition of cars here was really cool. And evidently, someone forgot to send me the invite to this event or else I would’ve brought mine. This would be grounds for firing, I hope they know that!

One of my favorite and most memorable moments, the charming port towns…

La Ciotat

Cassis

Bandol

Bandol is also known for its amazing seafood and superb wines. This was one of the best rosés I’ve ever had!

Aioli, a specialty of the region, is a garlicky mayonnaise used as a condiment for seafood. In fact, I think I prefer this to tartar sauce!

Besides Bouillabaisse, a Provençal fish stew and other seafood, Lamb is another example of a traditional dish in this region. Dinner is had in courses, naturally, and is often followed by a cheese course and un café. In Europe, when you ask for a café you’re really asking for black coffee in an espresso form. If you want the American style coffee with milk, then you have to specify Un café Crème or ask for Café Americain.

Côtes du Rhône Wine Road

This is an itinerary I found in the Rick Steves France guidebook in the chapter on Provence. The route starts just south of Vaison la Romain to the town of Gigondas and is easily doable as a day trip.  The route is scenic and makes for a gorgeous drive. With the exception of harvest time, most of the wineries are open to the public with no appointment needed which is really nice! 

Oh….and the Lavender fields! The air here smells gorgeous!

 Next stop…to Paris!