In fact, no one will tell us exactly where the borders of Provence are. We simply feel it and know we are there. The hypnotic blue of lavender plantations, the smell of rosemary, the unusual beauty of wild nature, the powerful north-west mistral wind, magnificent medieval fortresses and castles, romantic villages on hills, melodious Provençal dialect, fashionable life by the sea.
It is all this and much more Provence. When it pulls us into the heady vortex of its magic, we want to stay there. Many great artists found inspiration in it. Paul Cezanne, Vincent van Gogh, Frederic Mistral, Alphonse Daudet are just a few of the names that Provence has perhaps most fatally marked. The favorable climate of Provence has always been an invitation to health-seeking people. The nobility and other rich people built beautiful villas along the coast. Today it is called so Cote d'Azur the concept of fashionable life, and the interior of the country with its rural touch creates a feeling of friendliness and homeliness. We will get to know Provence best if we visit at least some of the many beautiful villages scattered on the hills around the landscape. Gordes the village is in the regional park Luberon. We also visit the abbey nearby Senanque, a real gem of Romanesque architecture, surrounded by fields of lavender. One of the most beautiful is the village Le Baux de Provence, in the embrace of the vertical rocks of the Provençal hills. We must not miss a visit to the historic site of the Popes - Avignon. A city full of life, music and art is today the cultural capital of Provence. Let's visit the mighty Pope's palace and walk along the remnants of what was once a 900-meter-long bridge Saint Benedet. At the mouth of the Rhône lies the Camargue region. The calm sand plains, ruled by the river and the sea, are a nature reserve where we can stop the wild rhythm of life for a moment. Let's observe semi-wild white horses in their natural environment and flocks of birds, among which the mighty flamingos reign supreme. It is on the edge of the Camargue Arles with its superb range of cultural events. Let's enjoy the archaeological heritage of Roman antiquity and visit the Museon Arlaten, a museum of ethnological heritage, opened in 1896 by the famous Provençal poet Frederic Mistral. The Pont du Gard aqueduct, carried over the Gardon river 20 kilometers from Avignon.
For under the teeth
Provencals are crazy about food. They are skilled gardeners and passionate eaters. They take care of their own with great love and devotion vineyards and the high wine culture strongly characterizes everyday life in Provence. They are definitely the hallmark of culinary Provence olives. They were brought to this sunny land by the Greeks already 2500 years ago. They appear in all sorts of dishes, even cakes. Let's try the olive specialty tapenade, puree of capers, olives and olive oil. Dishes should not lack an abundance of fragrant Provençal herbs, such as thyme, rosemary, basil and tarragon. Rich fish dishes are served by the sea. Fish soups are known, such as bouillabaisse or bourride, which is eaten together with fish and spicy mayonnaise rouille. Almost every restaurant on the coast will tell us that their fish soup is the best. A real capital bouillabaisse but it is Marseille. Let's visit Le Miramar, where we will have to reserve a table in advance, and for an excellent bouillbaisse, we will shell out a good 50 euros. Newer and slightly cheaper is the restaurant Le Peron, which is very popular with the locals and also boasts a beautiful view of the Frioul archipelago. The Vaucluse region is the land of truffles, and these precious and mysterious mushrooms are not missing from the menus of Provençal inns, especially in winter, when the picking season is at its peak. The restaurant Le Beaugravière in Mondragon is famous for its most selective range of meat dishes and truffles, a colorful selection of seasonal dishes and an extensive wine cellar. We must make an appointment in advance to visit. Sweets are a necessary and indispensable part of Provence. In Aix-en-Provence, look for almond delicacies called callisons, in Apt for candied fruit, and caramels are the best in Montélimar.
For spendthrifts
Many lavender products, natural cosmetics from Provençal herbs, olive oil and wines, decorative goods, eternally modern linen clothes will steadily empty our wallets. Provence's hottest shopping spot is Saint Tropez. It is interspersed with shops of the world's most prestigious fashion brands. Most of them are on the streets of the old town. Don't forget to buy leather sandals - sandales tropezienes and visit the market, which is open every Tuesday and Saturday. Vendors from all over the Cote d'Azur offer their best products, from dresses to bread. With its shopping streets Joseph Vernet, St Agricol, la Balance and Republic avenue, Avignon offers us a large selection of luxury shops. We will also find famous ceramic figurines called santons. Visit the store of the well-known brand Les Olivades and buy colorful Provençal goods by the meter, tablecloths or placemats made of natural materials. For ceramic products, go to Moustiers-Ste-Marie, which has been known for its faience since the 17th century. Today, there are 19 ceramic workshops and countless faience shops in the city. In Provence, we must not give up chocolate pleasures. In Aix-en-Provence, Arles, Avignon or Marseille, visit shops with the most famous Provençal chocolate, top quality Puyricard. In Marseille, the soap capital of the world, we stock up on real Marseille soaps, made according to traditional recipes from vegetable oils. We can choose from many soap manufacturers that guarantee us the highest quality. Let's visit La maison des savons, see their workshop and learn about the secrets of soap making.
Nightlife
Night owls will find pubs or clubs open late into the night in all major cities. The definition of night entertainment is fashionable Saint Tropez. Nightlife starts with after-dinner drinks and continues with a must-visit to Les Caves du Roy club or perhaps the slightly more edgy Papagayo, where pouring expensive champagnes into the crowd is not uncommon. The nightlife in the clubs includes Milanese bankers, burnt-out rock stars, American rappers and beauties from all over. Drinks in clubs are of course quite expensive. We will deduct approximately 25 euros just for the beer.
Stay
Among the endlessly rich selection of offers for overnight stays, ranging from campsites, romantic and cheap stone houses and villas to dizzyingly expensive hotels, we will surely find something for our soul. The current fashion and Provençal commandment is definitely to rent a house or villa at least for a few days. If we want a simple and authentic contact with the rural soul of Provence, we rent a stone cottage somewhere in the interior of the landscape. La Boissière house in Mazan, not far from the slopes of the famous Mt. Ventoux, will be the right choice. The friendly owner puts her huge herb and vegetable garden at our disposal. Friendly domestic and wild animals, swimming pool and beautiful surroundings will make our vacation unforgettable. We will be surrounded by the beauties of Provençal nature at the cozy Mas de Garrigon hotel in Roussillon. Each room is dedicated to a famous writer or painter associated with Provence. Rooms with individual terraces face south with views of the Luberon Regional Park, which is worth a visit with its dramatic scenery. If we want to taste the excesses of a fashionable vacation, let's go to the ancient city of Antibes, which is only a few kilometers away from Cannes. It boasts the largest marina in Europe, Port Vauban, and is famous for the most expensive real estate in France. In the harbor we can see the largest yachts in the world. And if we want to sleep among the most famous people in the world, let's book a room at the Hotel du Cap Eden Roc, where Madonna, Clint Eastwood and Tom Cruise go to avoid the hustle and bustle of Cannes during the festival.
What's happening
We will never experience Provence in all its authentic life pulse if we do not visit at least a few fairs or markets where we find a wealth of local products, tons of delicacies, fruits, vegetables and brightly colored flowers. Every small village has its own market, open at least once a week, and in some larger towns they are open every day except Sundays. Worth a visit is the market in the artistic town of Apt, which is always full in any weather and in any season. Every year on May 1st they celebrate the Feast of the Guardians of the Herds in Arles. The Gardians, the "cowboys" on white Camargue horses, boldly demonstrate their skills and the Course du Satin race also marks the official opening of the festival season in Arles. From May 16 to 27, Cannes hosts its annual film festival. In the summer, there are many festivals of culture and art all over Provence. The Avignon Theater Arts Festival from July 6 to 27 and the world-famous Aix-en-Prnovence Opera Festival from June 29 to July 22 are just two of the many.
Information:
PONT SAINT BENEZET RMG 6, rue Pente Rapide, Charles Ansidei, Avignon, The bridge is open daily from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. and
from 14:00 to 17:00
PALAIS DES PAPES RMG 6, rue Pente Rapide, Charles Ansidei, Avignon
PONT DU GARD www.pontdugard.fr
For under the teeth:
ONLY MIRAMAR 12 Quai du Port, Marseille www.bouillabaisse.com
LE PERON 56 Corniche Kennedy, Marseille
LE BEAUGRAVIÈRE Route Nationale 7, Mondragon www.beaugraviere.com
Stay:
HOTEL DU CAP EDEN ROC Boulevard Kennedy, Cap d'Antibes
LA BOISSIÈRE Anne-Marie Bonneau, 625 route de Saint-Mirat, Mazan www.boissiere-provence.com
HOTEL MAS DE GARRIGON Route de St Saturnin d'Apt, Roussillon en Provence, Gordes. www.masdegarrigon-provence.com/anglais/hotel
For spendthrifts:
CHOCOLATERIE DE PUYRICARD, www.puyricard.fr
AIX-EN-PROVENCE 7 rue Rifle-Rafle, Aix-en-Provence
ARLES 420, route du Puy Sainte Réparade, Aix-en-Provence
AVIGNON 54 rue de la République, Arles; 33 rue Joseph Vernet, Avignon; 388 avenue du Prado 13008 Marseille; 25 rue Francis Davso, Marseille; boulevard Clémenceau, Marseille
OLIVE WOOD www.lesolivades.fr
LE MAISON DES SAVONS 294, rue paradis, Marseille.
Nightlife:
CAFÉ LE SENEQUIER Quai Jean Jaurès, St. Tropez
LE PAPAGAYO Résidence du Nouveau Port, St. Tropez www.lepapagayo.com
CAVES DU ROY WOOD Hotel Byblos, Avenue Paul Signac, St. Tropez www.lescavesduroy.com
