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5 Reasons to Visit Provence

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When I think back on my most memorable travel experiences they were ones that seemed to affect each and every part of me. These were places where beauty could be seen, touched, smelled and even tasted. In that spirit I cannot think of a better place to visit then a region like Provence. Legendary landscapes captured by Cezanne, outdoor markets, antiquing and well, I could go on and on – are just a few of the reasons that make this certainly a place worth visiting.

Here I have managed to sum up what I believe to be the top five.

1. To experience art come alive. Provence itself is a work of art and has been featured in paintings by artists such as Van Gogh, Gauguin, Cezanne, Matisse and Picasso. You can walk the well forged paths of these artists across beautiful countryside. Cezanne, a native of Provence, captured both beauty and love for his homeland in paintings such as Montagne Sainte-Victoire. While visiting St-Remy-de-Provence you can pick out pieces from Van Gogh paintings in an almost impressionist Where’s Waldo.

2. The color purple. While traveling the countryside it is hard to ignore the deep shades of purple that cover the hills of Northern Provence. The fields of lavender sway in the wind which carries with it the aroma of countless perfumes and creams. To experience the lavender in full bloom it is best to travel during June and July, but its beauty can be seen until mid-October.

3. Outdoor markets. The scent of lavender along with honey, ripe fresh produce (whatever’s in season), and fresh baguette swirls together in the air of Markets in Provence. Each day brings with it an outdoor market in a different region. Vendors typically open around eight and end their day at one. This not only provides you with delicious food, but a perfect setting for people watching and truly immersing yourself in a culture.

4. Hidden treasures. Any trip would not be complete, in my opinion, without a memento representing my time there or just something that captures the character and culture of a place. Provence provides ample opportunity for finding just such a treasure with its many antique shops and flea markets. Some particularly well-known are the Marché à la Brocante in Villeneuve-lès-Avignon and L’ Isle-sur-la-Sorge in Vaucluse. Whether your treasure be an 18th century armoire or for those more budget conscious a vintage straw hat, you can find it here along with an authentic piece of provincial pottery.

5. Something original. And finally for those of you who like authenticity, there is the original Arc de Triomphe which was built in AD 26. It certainly does not get much more authentic than that. This along with a statue of Emperor Augustus and an ancient Roman amphitheater, can be found in Orange at the northern tip of Provence.

This would truly be a trip to awaken the senses!!

Your turn to share. Why would you want to visit Provence?

Words by Molly Costello – Photo Credits : Forever Wiser / Roblisameehan / Travel Eden / Jean-Louis Zimmermann / Allie Caulfield

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Frenchee le Trip
January 25th, 2010
Nice post! I’m chiming in with “taking a dip in the Mediterranean Sea”! Don’t leave Provence without having done that…at least your toe!

Kathleen Howard
January 25th, 2010
Having spent a fantastic 3 weeks in Provence in 07 it is my burning ambition to return to see the lavender fields in full bloom and visit a brocante or three!To feel the hot provencal sun on my Irish frozen body would be heaven on earth!I would love to hire a car and travel through all those lovely towns and villages perched on high that I missed out on last time.
Peter Mayle has a lot to answer for!
I was lucky to visit the Camargue,Cassis,Avignon,Arles and Aix,Bonnieux and Menerbes on my first outing which just left me wanting more…more…more!.

Lisa
January 25th, 2010
Hey, You pretty much covered alla my reasons too, I have to add one though; French are usually closed with foreign people, but there, it’s enough to let them see you speak a bit of french and that you’re trying to live “the french way” and they’ll embrace you like family! It felt so goo when I was there, considering one central point : I’m Italian!!!
Lisa

Robin @ My Melange
January 25th, 2010
@ Frenchee le Trip Oh but of course, you MUST do that. Perhaps we will include that in an upcoming post about the French Riviera

@ Kathleen Sounds like you had a fabulous time and got to visit quite a few lovely towns. I am sure you will get back…someday!

@ Lisa Wow, now that is great recommendation coming from an Italian And I totally agree with you. Must be the affects of the Med on the Provencal people that make them mellow!

jforest
January 25th, 2010
Very informative, I need to make my way out of the big cities more often when I’m abroad. This just makes me want to book a flight now!
jforest´s last blog ..[051/365] – Rainy Evening

Caitlin @ Roaming Tales
January 26th, 2010
What a lovely, evocative post. I especially love that you honed in on the colour purple! Your blog is really rocking it at the moment – I think you deserved to be in the finals for the Bloggies.
Caitlin @ Roaming Tales´s last blog ..Driving Highway 1 in California: McWay Falls in Julia Pfeiffer Burns State Park

Robin @ My Melange
January 26th, 2010
@ Jforest I am so glad the post inspired you to get to Provence. I think our work is done here

@Caitlin I am a sucker for Purple and lavender and am glad Molly included it. And that is one of the sweetest things anyone has said about my site. Thankyouverymuch

Mark H
January 27th, 2010
Such an effort to get the list to just five. There is the superb city of Avignon with its giant papal building. The superb amphitheatre of Arles and the sunsoaked beaches in the south. But you bring back the wonderful reminders of the wonderful and sensory-stimulating markets and their friendly banter, their range of delectable fresh goods and the vibrant colours.
Mark H´s last blog ..Living with Martin Luther (Wittenberg, Germany)

Jim M
February 27th, 2010
I had the good fortune of working for a company with a manufacturing facility near Aix-En-Provence, so I had the opportunity to spend a lot of time in Aix. I love the city, and long to return for a visit, with my wife. I experienced all 4 of the first items on your list. You are absolutely correct, those are some of my favorite experiences.

I would also add visiting the Calanques at Cassis. My hosts led me on a hike through the hills, down to the Calanques, on a hot day in July. The swim in the Mediterranean was magnificent after the hike!

Cecilia Lewis
May 24th, 2010
Wondered why anyone would want to visit Provence after my 3 days there.
We stayed in Arles, which is a a very ugly, dirty, graffitti strewn medieval city. Yes, we had the ” Mistrals” horrible wind. Yes, there are Roman ruins and the ampitheater is still used ( which is nice) but it has bleachers added and is definitely NOT worth the price of admission. The best were the flamingos in the Camorgue ( only the flamingos made it worth it) and the Pont du Gard, which is an amazing Roman aquaduct in a beautiful setting.
The food specialty seems to be Bull steak…………No Thank You.
Our hotel was strange and over priced…..Le Particuliar…..which should be named Le Peculiar. My husband chose it after I had my wallet taken in a second by a pickpocket on the Paris Metro. This hotel advertises solitude and I can tell you that you will have solitude, especially for any service.
I saw the bulls, white horses and flamingos. As far as I am concerned, Provence stinks (literally). DON’T BOTHER……….
..the Dordogne region is much more beautiful and memorable.
Sincerely, Cecilia W. Lewis, Lafayette, CA.

Oh, Ceclia – I am so so sorry that you didn’t have a good time in Provence. It certainly can’t be for everyone, but reading some of your comments I am rememinded of why it is sometimes so very important to enlist to help of a travel consultant, who perhaps could have guided you toward things that might have interested you more, good hotels and restaurants and perhaps have given tips for avoiding the pickpockets. Perhaps you’ll get to return again one day and have your mind changed….

Nic
July 19th, 2010
And I instantly thought of Mistrals when thinking of a reason to visit! We experienced two, and being that we hiked from village to village, experienced them out on the wide open.

We also loved Gordes and had it been busier, Cavaillon was wonderful as well. And L’isle Sur La Sorgue…I’d go back in a heartbeat and really want to take my mother there.

The transit system was excellent and cheap and learning that the house wine as an afternoon treat was cheap (usually 2 euros) was a great find.

We loved Arles (3 days there) and thought that one day as fine for Avignon.