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Category Archives: Provence

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The seasons in Provence

18 Saturday Jun 2016

Posted by anneeuropeantravel in Provence

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Luxury Travel Consultant2, Provence. Fall 2016, The 4 seasons in Provence

search-2Despite modernization , country life in Provence still continues according to the cycle of the seasons, a calendar that alternates periods of very intense work with equally intense festivities to celebrate the earth and its fruits.

Spring.

Spring unfolds very quickly and by February mimosa is out and almond trees start to bloom in March, soon followed by wild flowers growing everywhere. Olives and vines must be pruned and cereal crops sown.

By April, plums,peaches, apples, apricots, pears and quinces are in blossom, and fires are lit in the orchards to stop the frost, killing the delicate buds. The sheep are sheared, and Easter is celebrated with the first spring lamb. The very first nightingales (known for its beautiful and powerful song) and swallows appear. In Arles ( Camargue) Pain de St-Georges is baked to celebrate the feast day of the patron Saint of Camargue on 23rd of April.

search-3Summer.

May 1st is considered the beginning of summer. Primeurs are (early fruits and vegetables ) that you will find on vegetable stalls as well as asparagus, cherries,peas, apricots, melons and strawberries with amazing aromas and a taste of sunshine, they come from nearby market gardens. The flocks are shepherded back to the hill pastures, following the traditions of the Transhumance ,( a seasonal movement of people with their livestock between fixed summer and winter pastures ; a movement between higher pastures in summer and lower valleys in winter). The autumn sowing of wheat is ready for harvesting in June. On the summer solstice, St John’s day ( June 24th), bonfires are lit to celebrate the end of the harvest ( Fete de la St Jean). Other harvest festivals include a great deal of wine, music and dancing and among them are St Eloi or St Roch and also huge banquets in village squares with the famous Aioli. As summer progresses the lavender fields are beautiful with color and thyme, rosemary, marjoram and sage can be culled from the wild. Melons, peaches and almonds are in abundance. August is the perfect time for ratatouille with courgettes, tomatoes, aubergines, garlic, onions and peppers, all of them overflowing in the markets. Honeysuckle, clematis and myrtle blossom on sunny walls or trellises.

Autumn.

September is dominated by the grape harvest, Les Vendanges, a perfect time for friends, neighbors and families come together to pick grapes and spend long evenings drinking jugs of wine and relaxing after the day’s arduous labor. The countryside is a patchwork of red, gold and rust coloured tones as the leaves turn in the vineyards and forests. Mushrooms and particularly sought after Cepe, begin to spring up in woodlands and everybody is out at weekends  collecting sticks and bags for turning over leaves to seek them out. Figs are in season and the rice harvest is in full swing in Camargue. A less peaceful harvest is under way as the hunting seasons open and you will find wild Boar ( sanglier) and walnuts appearing in the markets.

 

Winter.

The last major harvest of the year is picking olives, it starts in November, in his twilight years Frederic Mistral named his last work ” The olivades” since he knew too that his season was over.The first bottles of wine go on sale. The cold weather is the signal that the transhumance of sheep back down to the mountains and hunting begins for the famous black diamond in the forests nearby. The countryside seems to hibernate and many people only venture forth to warm themselves with hearty, nourishing soups and stews in the local taverns. Christmas is a major celebration in the depths of winter.

Anne Suire

http://www.luxurytravelconsultant2.com

Provence.Fall. 2016search-1search

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The Var – more addresses; worth the stop, the village of Tourtour

04 Friday Sep 2015

Posted by anneeuropeantravel in Provence

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Galerie Blanchard, La Bastide de Tourtour ( Hotel), Resturant Les Chenes verts, Tourtour in Le Var

Where to stay and eat

La Bastide de Tourtour is a 25-room hotel located just outside of town. The hotel occupies a stone building built in 1965 ( The only disappointing thing about it). The hotel’s best features are the sweeping view over the surrounding pine forests.  To take full advantage of it choose one of the ” prestige” rooms, they face south and they have balconies. They are best because they are on the second floor. Intersection of D31 and D77; 4-94-70-57-30. http://www.bastidetourtour.com

Les Chenes verts

Paul Bajade is the chef and has a 20- year reputation creates wonders. His cuisine is dense, earthy and exhilarating. If you happen to eat there, look for the seven- course truffle menu. ( Route Villecroze; 4-94-70-55-06). http://www.leschenesverts.fr/ One Michelin star; The food is outstanding.

La Galerie Blanchard

“My wife is the creative type. I am just the worker”. His wife, Vivianne is the designer of the bold jewelry in steel, iron and precious wood on display and for sale, Gilles , her husband, who conceives and welds together the exuberant pieces. Gilles, Paris born and trained moved south in 1972. Birds have always been a special subject- He is particularly drawn to the idea of taking to the air and flying away. This gallery has an amazing amount of great work!. Open Easter through October; other times by appointment. Place de La Trinite, Tourtour. http://www.galerieblanchard.com

La Bastide de Tourtour

La Bastide de Tourtour

Dinner at Les Chenes verts in Tourtour

Dinner at Les Chenes verts in Tourtour

La Galery Blanchard in Tourtour

La Galery Blanchard in Tourtour

Galery Blanchard in Tourtour

Galery Blanchard in Tourtour

Anne Suire

Fall Provence Tours/ thanksgiving 2015

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A few more ideas if you visit Marseille

19 Wednesday Aug 2015

Posted by anneeuropeantravel in Provence

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L'Escale, Les Goudes, Marseille, Musee de la Faience

Le Musee de la Faience

Really worth to visit this museum just to look at the building it occupies, the 19th-century chateau Pastre. It was built for a wealthy shipowner who filled it with carved plasterwork, frescoes and carrara marble staircases. Within its display areas, set out in 19 rooms over a total of 4 levels, are more than 1,500 amazing pieces of rare faience, a ceramic of molded clay covered with an enamel shell with engraved or painted designs and finally glazed to a light sheen. The tour of this chateau begins with ca.5000 bc vase fragment, found near Marseille. when you visit room by room you will see all the famous names are here. Blue and white Clerissy, some period Moustiers, 18th-century Fauchier and up to 20-century Art Nouveau. The Chateau has spectacular views of the sea. ( 157 Avenue de Montredon), about a 20 minutes drive from downtown;

Les Goudes

This little fishing village is only 15 minutes from Central Marseille. Many of the locals have not gone into the city of Marseille in years. A good place to have lunch is L’Escale and the fish on the menu depends on the fresh cash of the day, the owner is  a former fishmonger and the food is quite good. Besides, the spacious seaside terrace is the perfect accompaniment. ( 2, Boulevard Alexandre Delabre)

Anne Suire

http://www.luxurytravelconsultant2.com

Faience at the Chateau Pastre

Faience at the Chateau Pastre

Chateau Pastre, a 19th-century...

Chateau Pastre, a 19th-century…

Fish Stew at l'Escale in Goudes...

Fish Stew at l’Escale in Goudes…

Restaurant, L'Escale in Goudes...

Restaurant, L’Escale in Goudes…

Small house in the village of Goudes.

Small house in the village of Goudes.

Fall Provence Tours/ thanksgiving 2015

Arles, a favorite of mine

21 Sunday Jun 2015

Posted by anneeuropeantravel in Provence

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Arlesienne, Camargue, Daniel Egreteau chef, Le mas de peint, Le Sambuc, Lucille Bon, Luxury hotel, owners Jacques, Travel with Luxury Travel Consultant2

I love Arles and my favorite hotel to rest for a few days is ” Le Mas de Peint”. Owners Jacques Bon and his wife Lucille own this rustic but stylish inn dating from the 17th century; Located down in the Camargue, 25 kilometers south of Arles, in the Sambuc. Jacques Bon was born on the property and if you speak French ( he does not speak any English) he will get a fast tutorial in the mystique of the Camargue by riding with him over the ranch’s 1,200 acres. That’s the wild side; for the inn’s gentility, credit Jacques Bon’s wife Lucille who is an architect. Along with a local interior designer she decorated  – but not too much – the eight double rooms and three suites, all of which are simple and cozy. The rooms are pretty comfortable and I recommend room # 9 for its size, open deck and I also really liked room #8 for its rustic wood ceiling beams, pink walls, and larger than usual bathroom. The common rooms are done in the same style: polished sandstone floors, ocher walls, wrought- iron chandeliers or candlesticks, beige and overstuffed couches and chairs. The walls in the entrance hall are decorated with old leather bridles and the head of Arlesienne, a champion bull bred here.

The dining room is utterly characteristic of Le Mas . The  executive chef , Daniel Egreteau cooks the two main meals, lunch and dinner in view of guests on the stove at the back of the dining room, and then finishes them in the main kitchen. He speaks very good English and will always welcome spectators.

You should know that the hotel always offers a fixed menu, but the food is explosively wonderful and flavorful, most of the ingredients come from the garden.

A great place to stay and enjoy the Provencal life!.

http://www.masdepeint.com

Le Sambuc off (route D36). 4-90-97-20-62

gastronomic adventures in Provence, 2015

Anne Suire

Mas de Peint, the living room

Mas de Peint, the living room

Dining room.

Dining room.

Swimming pool.

Swimming pool.

Living room at Le Mas de Peint

Living room at Le Mas de Peint

Dining area at Le Mas de Peint.

Dining area at Le Mas de Peint.

Le Mas de Peint.

Le Mas de Peint.

A lazy Sunday in Provence

17 Sunday May 2015

Posted by anneeuropeantravel in Provence, sundays and shopping

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Amandine, Avignon flower market and flea market, Bandol, Fragonard home shop, L'ousteau de Baumaniere, Les Baux de Provence.

Unless you are visiting one of the markets, just forget about sightseeing in Provence on Sundays. Shops, public transportation and museums grind to a halt. Have a long lazy lunch instead, then go for a stroll in the countryside. A great place to eat is l’Ousteau de Baumaniere, in Les Baux de Provence , they used to serve a bloody Mary sorbet stuffed in a tomato, it was just delicious to the taste. In the summer time it is a great place for people -watching, I also like the terrace where you can  enjoy the sun as you eat. Also don’t always order rose with everything, Provence also has wonderful reds. Bandol is one of my favorite villages, very pretty and it produces some of the finest wines. Wander the streets and make a stop for wine tastings.

A few recommendations for shopping in Provence.

Amandine, 69 Boulevard Eugene – Pierre, Marseille. If you love chocolate you are in for a treat  because this is a temple to the owner’s love of everything chocolate. It also sells teapots in numerous variations as well as postcards. http://www.patisserieamandine.fr

Avignon’s Flower and flea market.

Located in Place des Carmes it’s always worth making a stop on Sunday mornings. Amid the huge flower displays, you will find ornements and bric-a-brac, including herb cutter for your Provencal thyme.

Fragonard home shop.

2 Rue Amiral de Grasse.  stocks everything you need to add a touch of Riviera chic to your home. From white quilted eiderdowns to blue-stripe crockery and wicker laundry baskets. http://www.fragonard.com

Anne Suire

www.luxurytravelconsultant2.com

Patisserie Amandine.

Patisserie Amandine.

Fragonard, the shop in Grasse

Fragonard, the shop in Grasse

Flea market in Avignon

Flea market in Avignon

Avignon flea market

Avignon flea market

Flower market in Avignon.

Flower market in Avignon.

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