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Provence, you cannot help it to just fall in love with the scents of Haute Provence

25 Wednesday Feb 2015

Posted by anneeuropeantravel in Provence Food

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cooperatives, Creme brulee, farms, fougasse, history of the lavender., lavender, Lavender distilleries, Provence

Is it a reflection in the sky or just an illusion created by the sun’s rays, or perhaps nature trying to trick us into believing that the lavender keeps shifting color from a deep blue to mauve. Lavender is truly the soul of Haute Provence said the writer Jean Giono. It has grown wild on the southern slopes of Mount Ventoux and the Lure mountains  and has carpeted vast areas in early summer in various shades of imgres-1imgres-2imgresimgresimgres-1violet and blue. Later, a cultivated variety of lavender was introduced as a crop on the high plateaux and mountain slopes of Provence, much to the satisfaction of the local farmers who needed something to compensate for the decline in cereal production. Today, fields of lavender stretch from the pre-Alps near Gigne to the Valensole plateau.

Flowers and essential oils.

True lavender ( Lavandula angustifolia), which is by far the most widespread variety, grows best at an altitude of 1,970 to 5,200 feet ( 600 – 1,600 m) above the sea level. Spike lavender ( Lavendula Latifolia) on the other hand, prefers higher temperatures and lower altitudes between 650 and 1,625 feet (200 – 500 m). The third type is an hybrid of the 2 previous ones and occupies the area in between , growing 1,300 and 2,275 feet ( 400 – 700 m) above sea level. This true favorite of Provencal gardens is the result of cross-pollination by insects of the two varieties. The oil is of lesser quality of that of true lavender.

When the harvest begins in July just after the buds open and the intoxicating scent of lavender fills all of Provence. Tractors have replaced the pickers but you will occasionally see them carrying wide willow baskets and cloth sacks harvesting the lavender by hand. The lavender is left to dry for two or three days before being transported to the distillery. The essence of genuine lavender is used in the perfume industry and also in cosmetic manufacture. Spike lavender has a smell of camphor and is used for paint and varnish. The hybrid lavender which fragrance is inferior to the genuine lavender is used in detergents and other household products.

Lavender in the kitchen.

Lavender is finding an increasing use in the kitchen. It has been used to flavor honey, candies, sorbets and creme brulees, herbal teas or spicy cakes. It is also in competition with chocolate and vanilla as well as seasonal fruits as an ice cream flavor and even found into main courses. La Fougasse, and oval yeast bread, flavored with lavender and herbs is about conceivable. Actually lavender, thyme, rosemary and savory do have quite a bit in common, just try a leg of lamb roasted and add a few sprigs of lavender over toward the end of its cooking time, it will give the dish a delicious flavor. Lavender is used to reduce blood pressure, heal wounds, have antiseptic and disinfectant properties. Rubbing fresh lavender on your arms and legs will keep insects away. Beekeepers , who collect the Lavender honey, are rarely stung by bees. Also Lavender honey can provide relief for migraine sufferers.

In the summer time lavender festivals are held in its honor all over the country from Vaucluse to the Alps of Haute Provence. Also one in Valensole as well as Digne-Les_Bains and sault. These events take place in August. In Coustellet, the Lavender museum has a very good exhibition of the various types of lavenders. You will also find lavender distilleries, cooperatives and lavender farms that are open to the public.

Travel with us this spring 2015 to Provence.

http://www.luxurytravelconsultant2.com

Anne Suire

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Some of my favorite moments in Provence

22 Monday Sep 2014

Posted by anneeuropeantravel in Provencal ways to vacation, Provence Food, Wines of Provence

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Antibes, Bormes les mimosas, bouillabaisse, Calanques, Camargue, Cap Ferrat, Cassis, Chateauneuf du Pape, Cheeses, Chevre d'or, cistercian monastery, Couvent des minimes spa.Antique l'isle sur la Sorgue, Envau, Eze, Gordes, Grasse, La Turbie, lavender, market, Marseille Van Gogh, Mas de Peint, Miramar, monastery Saint Paul de Mausol, perfume, Porquerolles, Uzes, Vaucluse

Riding the white horses of the Camargue. The desolate marshy flatlands of the Rhone Delta are also home to the Pink Flamingos, bulls and white horses ridden by French cowboys, called Guardians. Saddle up with La bergerie de Maguelonne or at the well known Mas de Peint. You will discover a world of wild birds, salt lagoons, and beautiful panoramas, definitely not reachable by car.

A wondeful , gastronomic meal  at a Provencal Table D’Hote. Life cannot get any better than indulging at Michelin starred Chateau de la Chevre d’Or in the tiny village of Eze, perched above the Mediterranean.

Following the Mimosa trail. Between , January and March, the Cote d’Azur comes alive  with very sweet scented balls of yellow mimosa flowers. The mimosa trail is an amazing  ( 80 mile) path along the hilly back-lands between Bormes-les-Mimosas and Grasse, the capital of perfume and you can watch the landscape bloom with the fragrant  buds.

Bathing in the Calanques. You can explore the truly hidden splendor of creeks and beaches, snuggled between the jagged white cliffs between Marseille and Cassis. Envau, is the prettiest calanque, known for its sandy beach and needle like rock formations.

Eating Bouillabaisse in Marseille’s Miramar.  You can grab a table at the Miramar’s sunny terrace, order a crisp sunny white wine and wait for the Bouillabaisse to arrive. This rich recipe  – made from many of fresh fish, saffron and orange zest is one reason you should visit Marseille.

Tasting Chateauneuf du Pape wine. In the green vineyards around Chateauneuf du Pape grow France’s most famous product. When you travel around the Vaucluse, just pop into one of the many chateaux whose cote du Rhone wines are  among the best in the country.

Having a picnic on Porquerolles. Is a must for nature lovers, who will truly adore the expanses of pine forests, olive groves, vineyards and beautiful beaches.

L’Abbaye de Senanque in bloom. All of us have seen cliched pictures of L’abbaye de Senanque in bloom, I saw it a couple of time but I will admit that the seas of lavender surrounding the 12th-century Cistercian monastery are just breathtaking, especially when approached from Gordes.

Basking in the glory of Rome. In the bougainvillea-scented village of La Turbie. The gigantic trophee  des Alpes to celebrate emperor Augustus‘s victory against the Ligurians in 13 b.c. it used to mark the frontier between Italy and Gaul, and it stills over seeping views over Cap Ferrat and Eze.

Spending an afternoon at the antique mecca, L’Isle sur La Sorgue. Sifting through antiques is one of my favorite pastime,even here in San Francisco. Whether you covet an original Louis XIV chair or just search into other people’s junk for a hidden treasure. This place is a paradise for antique lovers of every stripe.

The haunting tranquility of Saint Paul de Mausol monastery. It is where Vincent Van Gogh committed himself after lopping off his ear in Arles. The tormented artist silently painted the cloisters and monastery gardens. It can be a very moving experience. A series of illustrated panels show his works on the sites where the artist painted them.

A spa day, rejuvenate at le Couvent des Minimes.  As the sun sets over the hills  in Haute-Provence, let the couvent knead away your tensions in the spa ( they are the only one in France to use Provencal Occitane products). Later on you can dine  on fine Mediterranean cuisine in the hotel Restaurant.

Fill up at Antibes Provencal market.  Provencal markets are very colorful, bustling and the stalls are filled with beautiful and delicious produce, charcuterie and cheeses. Antibes ‘ covered market makes a plum spot to stock a picnic basket.

http://www.luxurytravelconsultant2.com

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Epicurean experiences in Provence-Special offer thanksgiving 2014. Travel experiences.myshopiffy.com

Anne Suire

Antibes INDOOR MARKET.

Antibes INDOOR MARKET.

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