Tuesday, May 27, 2014

Provence

The strong cool northwesterly mistral winds were blowing but we enjoyed ourselves immensely.  Provence and the South of France were all at once breathtaking and relaxing.  We rented a great gite in Menerbes of the Luberon region with friends called Mas Des Cedres.  The owners were lovely, the house and surroundings charming and perfectly suitable for children.  *Tennis courts are like giant play pens - BONUS!!!

Although we went over the Easter holiday and it was beautiful I imagine that the summer months are amazing, but with that comes a million tourists and the unbearable traffic.  So we missed the famous lavender fields in bloom, but we enjoyed a few tiny villages, incredible wine, olives and colorful markets.  And sunshine of course.

The pace of life magically slowed as we neared our destination in Provence.  Actually, the pace of life slowed as we drove into France from Germany - going from unlimited speed to a set 120 km/h will certainly slow you down.  The Luberon region is famous for its melon - sadly we were too early for the season.  At the southern end of the Rhône Valley the Luberon has its own appellation designation Côtes du Luberon AOC.  Wine is always in season - lucky us!

It is no wonder the South of France and Provence in particular are so world renowned, but I will let our pictures do the work to save me from babbling....

MENERBES





GORDES




ROUSSILLON  EN PROVENCE



Loving the Mistral Winds

AIX EN PROVENCE

Cathedrale Saint-Sauveur