When one thinks of Provence, a visual wonder of enchanting spectacles fills the mind. Over the years I’ve tried to capture their simple magic to remember when I’m far away.

Sharing them with you now the words of Frederic Mistral, the esteemed Provence poet and 1904 Nobel prize winner for literature come to mind:

“When the Good Lord begins to doubt the world,

he remembers that he created Provence.”

When I begin to doubt the world I remember I’ll soon be returning to this captivating place, this place called Provence……

SHUTTERSShutters of Provence near Lourmarin

& (mais bien sûr)

SUNFLOWERS Sunflowers fields of Provence near Lourmarin

Breathtaking scenery

in the summer carpeted with ‘the blue gold of Provence.’

Lavender fields by Lavender at l'Abbaye Notre-Dame de Sénanque, Provence, France

Tree lined AvenuesTree lined avenues and roads of the Luberon, Provence

leading to lush vineyards,

Vineyards of the Provencal wine domains at Chateau Canorgue, Bonnieux, Luberon Provence

stunning wine domains each offering their own unique taste of the terroir,

Provencal wine domains, Le Château Constantin, Lourmarin, Luberon, Provence

for what could be Provencal than a pale, crisp glass of rosé?

Rose wine at Domaine de Fontenille

Splendid Provencal citiesSundrenched city of Aix-en-Provence

with majestic squares and gurgling fountainsProvencal squares lined with cafes and dominated by majestic fountains

perfect for dining el fresco, one of the greatest joys of life in Provence.El fresco dining in Provence

Meandering cobbled streets

flanked by golden, limestone buildings with brightly shuttered windows.Winding shuttered streets of Provence

A vibrant Roman heritage & centuries of rich history

Roman Amphitheaters  The Arles Roman Arena

2000 year old viaductsThe Roman Aqueduct of Pont du Gard near Uzes Languedoc Roussillon France

Papal PalacesPalais des Papes, Avignon, Vaucluse, Provence, France

Geological wondersGeological wonders of Provence in Roussillon, Luberon, Provence

Fairytale chateauxThe Fairy Tale Chateau of Lourmarin, the Luberon, Vaucluse, Provence, France

Mystical hilltop villages perchés Bonnieux, a perched village of the Luberon, Provence

& enchanting villagesLourmarin a magical Provencal village in the Luberon

 their clay-tiled roof tops guarding the secrets of a bygone era.Architecture and Shutters of Lourmarin, Luberon Provence

Entrancing & beguiling, begging to be explored,Village streets in Lourmarin, Luberon, Provence

along cobbled streets by ancient doorways.Ancient doorways of Provence, France

Weekly Provencal marketsProvencal markets

Overflowing with local gifts to fill your basket

LavenderLavender in the Lourmarin market

Lavender at Gordes Market, Luberon, Provence, France

Lavender and wheat at Gordes Market, The Luberon, Provence, France

Handmade soapsSavon de Marseille

OlivesOlives for sale in Saint-Rémy-de-Provence market, Provence, France

BasketsBaskets for sale in the Lourmarin market, Provence, France

LinensProvencal table linens in the Lourmarin market

 French bread French baguettes and bread

and goats cheese,

specialities of Provence, all too tempting to resist.Goats cheese for sale Wednesday Market Uzès,, Provence, France

Indeed a vast array of all things délicieux

sweetProvencal candies fruit

and savoryProvencal cuisine from the Luberon

So many favorite things from ProvenceThings I love about Provence, Lavender in the Luberon Valley favorite things in Provence

it’s hard to choose……Things I love about Provence, its sunflowers

but perhaps what I love the most is its gentle tranquility, its peace, where just ‘to be’ is enough……….Things I love about Provence, its shutters

Maybe you know somewhere that makes you feel like this, I’d love to know!

 Download The Lourmarin Travel Guide to learn more about this beautiful region of Provence

 

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