This
popular saying reveals the essence of Provence. This area
can be divided into two parts Provence, strictly speaking,
and the French Riviera.
These are two worlds, two universes which constitute all
the lushness of this region and its complementarity. In
the one hand, there are mountains, lavender, olive trees
and vivid villages.
Historically,
Provence was named after the "provincia romana"
established in 118 B.C. by the Roman. But Provence enterred
in ancient history with Massalia foundation by the Greeks
settlers coming from the city of Phocea in 600 B.C.
Mediterranean climate is one of
the most pleasant. Actually, the sun is shining
about 300 days a year, the sea and the Mistral whistling
refresh the heat of summer and make the winter warm.
Landscapes
of Provence
are very varied. There are four main components which are
the coastal Provence, the Alps, the rhodanienne Provence(Camargue)
and the hinterland. In A year in Provence, Peter Mayle has
described the Luberon area (where there are many Most Beautiful
Villages of France such as Gordes,
Menerbes, Roussillon,
Lourmarin, Venasque
and Ansouis ):
Wild flowers, thyme, lavender,
and mushrooms grow between the rocks and under
the trees, and from the summit on a clear day the view is
of the Basses-Alpes on one side and the Mediterranean on
the other”. Nature can also be wild, in the deep compact
and beautiful Canyon of the Verdon.
There are plenty of great restaurants in Provence. Mediterranean
cuisine is tasty and harmoniously combines fresh vegetables,
fishes, spices and herbs. Provence is also one of the main
region of wine producers in France with famous vineyards
such as Châteauneuf-du-Pape, Vacqueyras, Beaumes de
Venise and Gigondas without forgetting the typical
Pastis - Ricard. Let's also mention olives
and olive oil, truffles,
lime, nougat and Calissons d'Aix as succulent food specialties.
Provence is a land of culture and arts. There are plenty
of festivals such as opera festival in Aix-en-Provence,
museums, festivities. Historical monuments (Palace of Popes
in Avignon
or in Aix en Provence)
and charming villages as Gordes
or Les
Baux de Provence which inspirate Cezanne, Van Gogh and
many others.
