the Flavours of Provence, Part 2.

Tags

Anne Suire, Aups, Beaume de Venise wine, Cannes, cantaloupe melon, Carpentras, Cavaillon melons, herbs of Provence, Italy, Luxurytravelconsultant2.com, Makets, Marches Paysans, Richerenches, Rognes, Salernes, Toulon, Tour Provence with Luxury Travel Consultant2.com, Truffle markets

The best markets in Provence

Most towns or villages have their own markets at least once a week, and there are Marches Paysans in the summer and winter truffle markets at Carpentras, Aups, Richerenches and Rognes.

Aix en Provence. Chic shopping for fruits and veggies, every day AM.

Apt. A fabulous farmer market in the old town.

Arles. the very lively market is the best place for olive oil and Saucisson d’Arles. On Wednesday & Saturday AM.

Cannes. Busy market in the old town on Tuesday and Sunday AM.

Carpentras along the boulevards is a true local rendez vous. Friday AM.

Marseille. Fresh fish sold straight  from the boats. Every morning.

Menton. Fine local produce and fresh fish in and around the covered market.

Nice. you will find fresh veggies and flowers on court Saleya, also fish on place St Francois. Tuesday – Sunday AM.

Salernes. A very authentic village market in the town square. Wed and Sun AM.

Toulon. Busy street market with fabulous vegetables. Every day AM.

Herbs and spices.

Along with tomatoes, garlic and olive oil, herbs are a major part of Provencal cooking, and the local terms for summer savory ( Pebre d’Ai) and for thyme ( Farigoule) are reflected in most of restaurants’ names. Rosemary, thyme, summer savory, bay, marjoram and sage grow wild in the garrigue hills and woodland that cover much of Provence. Basil and tarragon are cultivated not wild. Lavender is used for perfume and products but is also used to aromatize grilled meats or flavour desserts such as creme brulee. You will also find fennel seeds, juniper berries and aniseed, it can be used to flavour biscuits but also cooked with pork.

Cavaillon melons.

The juicy, sweet- scented, orange flesh cavaillon melon is considered the best in France. The cultivation started in the 12th century with the introduction of the Cantaloupe melon from Italy when the area was under the Avignon papacy. Early melons are grown in greenhouses and are available by April. The best is harvested from open fields between June and early September. When choosing a melon always go for the perfume and feel the ripeness. Melons are classically eaten as a starter with cure ham, figs or as dessert sometimes filled with Beaume de Venise wine. Chef Jacques Prevot designs a all menu using melon and one of his dish is a a melon and fish stew.

Visit us online at www.luxurytravelconsultant2.com

Anne Suire

La Guarrigue in Provence

Melons of Cavaillon

Truffle Market of Richerenches

Truffle Market Richerenches

Flea Markets of the Cote d’Azur

Tags

Antibes, Cannes, Flea markets, Fontvieile, Grasse, Menton, Moustiers-Ste-Marie, Nice, St tropez, The cote d'Azur, Vallauris, Vence

Cannes on Monday ( Marche Forville), 60 vendors. ( 8am to 6pm)

Nice on Monday ( Cours Saleya), 180 to 200 vendors. ( 9am -6pm) Some vendors can leave earlier.

Saint Tropez on Tuesday & Saturday ( Place des Lices), 25 to 30 vendors. ( 8:30 am -1pm)

Vence on Wednesday (Place du Grand Jardin) , 20 vendors . ( 7:30 am – 4pm)

Antibes on Thursday & Saturday ( Place Audiberti & Place Nationale), 60 vendors. ( 9am -6pm)

Cannes on Thursday & Sunday ( La Bocca), 20 vendors. ( 8am-5pm)

Grasse on Friday ( cours Honore Cresp) , 30 vendors, 1st Friday of every month. ( 8 am-6pm)

Fontvieille ( Monaco) ( Port fe Fontvieille), 20 vendors. ( 8am -6pm)

Menton on Sunday ( Mail du Bastion, place. F.Palmero)  30 vendors. Second Sunday of the month.

The Cote d’Azur is a world apart when no huge gulf separates weekdays from weekends, unlike other parts of France where flea markets always take place on weekends ( Saturday & Sunday), but in this part of France you can find a flea market to visit almost everyday of the week.

The flea markets of the cote d’Azur include more the decorative rather than the rustic. Most of the wares are very often very good quality and in pristine condition. Even though the markets are quite eclectic in the things they sell are not always intrinsic to this region, a lot of items come from different parts of France.

A few interesting items that I liked , yellow and green glazed dishes and pots from Vallauris, a town near Antibes where Spent some time ( a few years, doing ceramics in the late 1940’s) and also the decorative faience ware from Moustiers-Ste-Marie, in the mountains northwest of Grasse.

Want to plan a shopping trip to Provence or the Riviera, contact us at anne@luxurytravelconsultant2.com

http://www.luxurytravelconsultant2.com

Anne Suire

Getting Around Provence

Tags

Arles, buses, Camargue, Cannes, car rentals, cars, eco-friendly, hiking, horseback, Marseille, Provence, taxis, trails

Traveling to Provence , a few tips and recommendations.

Car rental. renting a car on arrival can be much cheaper than driving your own car. If the one you rent breaks down you can get a replacement car. Packages combining flights, car rental and accommodation can be very good value, or you can rent a vehicle for part of your stay from major rental companies at airports or in main towns and resorts.Most car companies require that you are over 21 and that you have a clean driving record.

By  car. Using your own car can have its own advantages : you can bring more luggage and see more of France and take home more souvenirs and gifts. Emergency breakdown insurance is also advisable: consult your insurer or motoring organization.

Taxis.

Taxis are reliable and use meters but are not flagged down on the street – you have to find one at a taxi rank, book by phone, or ask your hotel or restaurant to call one for you.

City Transport.

France has the best public transport in Europe and getting around the region’s major cities by bus, tram or (in Marseille) metro presents few problems. Fares are integrated , so a single ticket can be used on any combination of transport for one hour. Day passes and books of tickets are also available.

Train.

From Marseille, rail lines run west to Arles and Nimes, north to Aix and Avignon and east to Monaco and Nice. TER ( regional express trains) , they operate an inland route from Nice to Dignes-les-Bains.

Inter- city Bus.

Inter-city buses supplement trains between major cities. Quite a few companies operate from long-distance bus stations ( gares routieres) in cities or larger towns.Smaller villages and rural towns are not well served by buses, many villages have no service at all.

Cycling.

The best way to explore Provence. Mountainous regions may be only for the super- fit but there are easier rides in the lowlands, along the coast and in the Camargue. Mountain bikes ( velos tous terrains or VTT) can be hired in all major towns and resorts ( tourist offices have lists) and marked cycle trail ranging from demanding to totally relaxed. Eco- friendly free cycle schemes, like velo in Marseille are springing up in towns across the all region.

Walking trails.

Provence is a beautiful walking country, offering guided or marked walks through historic cities and coastal paths, sentiers balises (local trails) and sentiers de grande randonnee ( long -distance hiking tracks),part of a network that crosses France. Maps and guides are available from tourist offices.

On Horseback.

Horses can be hired by the day or for longer, with or without a guide, on gentle or more demanding trails. The Camargue is ideal if you want to visit it on a horse.

Yachts and cruisers.

The Riviera is prime sailing country and every kind of vessels, from small yachts and catamarans to fully crewed motor cruisers, can be chartered out of marinas including Nice, Cannes, St-Tropez, Antibes and St-Jean.

Provence Getaways, Value-for-money Hotels

Tags

Arles, Cannes, hotels, Marseille, Nice, value for money

Hotel Splendid, Cannes

Value for money does not always mean cheap, but this hotel is centrally located close to the yacht harbour, is a very impressive hotel and is definitely a bargain by Cannes standards. ( 4 rue Felix Faure)

http://www.splendid-hotel-cannes.fr

Le Windsor, Nice

Exotic Oriental decoration, rooms with frescoed ceilings, a pool surrounded by palm trees and an English style pub come at a very affordable price in this unassuming looking, medium size hotel. ( 11 rue Dalpozzo)

http://www.hotelwindsornice.com

Le Benvengudo, Les -Baux-de-Provence

This is a fine hotel that proves that value for money is not all about price. It offers comfortable, beautiful decorated rooms ( some have terraces), a pool, a garden , a restaurant and a tennis court, all in a beautiful surrounding. ( Vallon de l’Arcoule)

http://www.benvengudo.com

Hotel la Jabotte, Cap d’Antibes

Clean bright rooms and chalets and also a very good location are what describe this hotel. This is one of the better bargains in upmarket Antibes.  It also has its own car park – quite a rarity. ( 13 Avenue Max Maurey). No Air Conditioning.

http://www.jabotte.com

Hotel Yachting, Marseille

Definitely one of the best places to stay in Marseille for the price, this unassuming but very friendly , central 3-star hotel has basic rooms. However they have en suite bathroom. Sound-proofing keeps the street noise to bearable levels. ( 115 rue Paradis)

http://www.s-d-h.fr

Hotel le Calendal, Arles

A very colourful place to stay in a colourful city, the calendal is brightly decorated and has a great garden cafe with plenty of shades from the hot summer sun and a very comfortable tearoom. Some of the most expensive rooms have terraces and they all are air conditioned, making this 3-star hotel a great-value place to stay in a very expensive Arles.( 5 rue Porte de Laure)

http://www.lecalendal.com

Hotel Ambassador in Monaco

This budget hotel is right in the heart of Monaco, situated at the foot of the Palais Princier. the rooms are pretty well equipped with TV, hairdryer and internet access. The hotel’s restaurant serves basic Italian cuisine.( 10 Avenue Prince Pierre)

http://www.ambassadormonacom.com