Un jour parfait: Provence
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| Vineyards and olive groves, a quintessential Provençal scene |
We experienced so many days on our trip to Paris and Provence that could be described as perfect, but for this month’s By Invitation Only installment, I’d like to recap the amazing day we enjoyed in the countryside of Provence, on a guided tour by the lovely people at WineInProvence.
We were picked up at our B&B in Aix-en-Provence bright and early. Our guides had mapped out a custom tour for us, based on our desire to visit both some wineries and historic and scenic villages in the area.
We began the day with a lovely stroll through the vineyards and olive groves at the first winery, Mas Sainte Berthe.
Provence is known for its fantastic Rosé wines, and the one we tasted here was no exception.
Looking up the hill toward the ancient fortress of Les Baux, which was to be our next stop.
Situated on high, rocky ground, along the medieval trade route between Spain and Italy, the fortress at Les Baux was an oft-contested bit of real estate. The Lords of Les Baux had a reputation as some nasty dudes, who believed they were direct descendants of Balthazar, one of the Three Kings.
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| View from the battlements of the castle ruins |
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| But don’t run afoul of the local gendarmes or they might toss you over the wall! |
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| Looking down into the village from the fortress |
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| Entrée: Moules!! |
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| Dejeunner: plat principal. The seafood in Provence is wonderful! |
Then a stroll around St. Remy….the chestnuts in bloom were lovely, but made me sneeze.
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| A bit dark but you can see the aging casks below, and the framework of the main building molded right into the mountain rock. |
We were returned to our hotel in time to relax, freshen up and make our dinner reservations at Le Formal in Aix, where we enjoyed another spectacular meal to cap off the day.
Do check out By Invitation Only at Splenderosa for a roundup of perfect days, both real and imagined.
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About 15 years ago, we spent two weeks at a lovely estate compound in St. Remy. That area is lovely and the place of so many fond memories for us. I look forward to seeing more photos from your trip.
What lovely pictures!
What a delight to see all these, thank you so very much : ).
How much spectacularity (if that’s not a word it is after this post) you packed into a day! Delighted all your senses and created indelible memories.
Would love to board a plane NOW–who created that delightful sculpture of the 2 girls running/dancing?
They are the girls that live in my soul.
Oh these images are so beautiful.
I love that scene with the tree in what must be the village square.
Thank you for sharing these wonderful pictures from your holiday.
Thank you Pseu for sharing your wonderful trip with all of us!
Thank you for sharing these lovely photos.
Provence is gorgeous – looks like you are having a wonderful trip – and the rosé wines are the best!
Last summer, I discovered a trick: use joli/jolie rather than beau/belle (because the latter requires knowing the gender of your noun). So–with a sweep of my hand, I would say “tres joli/e.” So that is what I say to your post today.
I received a few compliments on my pitiful French with that strategy.
The pictured plates of seafood make me hungry. The photos in St. Remy are sweet. They create a longing in me.
Just love this! Thanks for sharing.
Wow! So beautiful. Thank you for sharing your photos. I am so glad you had such a wonderful time on your trip.
This would be a Dream Day for anyone !! I love the wine cave built into the side of a mountain, seems completely normal, doesn’t it. Each of you members of “By Invitation Only” always bring a completely different take on our common theme, this is what is so wonderful about our group. Thank you for taking part and being a part of this splendid group. xx’s
Nice post. Provence is on my list of Top Ten Places I Have Visited
I spent a year in Aix as a student when I was 23. (I am 59 now!) We went back there in the summer of 2009 and it is as beautiful as I remember. Went to Aix for a week, then Arles, Avignon and lovely St. Remy. Can’t wait to go back. I must have been Provencal in an earlier life…
Thank you so much for sharing these beautiful photos. The food photos are making me hungry. The Les Baux area reminds me a little bit of the Bastides in the Dordogne area.