Lourmarin is ready for Fête de Noël. Frosty white fir trees have appeared along our petite rue below a canopy of lights.
Throughout the village, once night has fallen, these fine strings of twinkle line the streets in rows of sparkling ribbons.
The stores are full of Christmas treasures and stay open later to help the busy shoppers.
Amongst ancient, stone buildings, along narrow, cobbled streets, somehow everything appears just that bit more entrancing.
Enticing seasonal settings
to celebrate the time of year.
Opening the shutters to find the world transformed by a soft, powdery, icing sugar dusting of snow completed the enchantment.
Bundled in up in scarves and mittens I tried to encapsulate my fairy tale village adorned in a winter gown.
Almost expecting ‘Mr Tumnus’ to be hiding behind the lamp posts
and from the church, the sweet voices of children in the village choir. It felt as if Lourmarin was preparing for her very own Christmas story.
For as we ventured out, driving only a short distance, the snow seemed to have only fallen on Lourmarin. Beautiful elsewhere but not quiet as magical.
The streets of Saint-Rémy-de-Provence were lined with les sapins; fir trees adorned with satin, bows and bells.
The shop windows were bedecked in seasonal finery, both in Saint-Rémy
and Uzès.
Our lovely Rue de la Grande Bourgade, where we’d once lived in Uzès, looking more festive than any other.
A truly special part of the world at any time of year and one which was hard to tear ourselves away from.
Packing our suitcases we prepared ourselves for our journey home. No deserted stables or donkeys but crowded airport terminals and rental cars; no reindeer driven sleighs but enormous metal birds quite equally miraculous to transport us back across the skies. We’re returning to our other home, briefly pausing in that treasured place where we are from before taking off again to a very different place but also a very special one. This English girl in love with Provence is finally going ‘home’, ‘home’ for the Holidays……….
Happy holidays and safe travels
and to you too!
Your photos and comments over the last few blogs have been such fun to see. This latest batch of Provencal villages preparing for Xmas is enchanting. Many thanks.
Have a good Xmas and New Year, wherever you will be!
Thak you Heather I am so glad that you have enjoyed my ramblings! Happy Christmas and New Year to you too X
Love viewing your treasured town during the holidays! We look forward to seeing you in Danville !
Hugs Jill
and I you, about to board and fly those friendly skies!! x
Looks beautiful. Where do you consider ‘home’ now?
such an excellent question! Well im at LHR right now coming back or am I coming home?! Happy Christmas and hope to see you in 2018! X
Love your posts! Happy Holidays and Safe Travels!
and to you too xx
Hi Caroline
Wonderful photos and comments on these beautiful scenes
Always enjoyable
Happy holidays wherever you are for Christmas
Take care
A.Rit xxxxx
Thank you! I have just got back to California, Happy Christmas to you all too xx