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……
SHUTTERS![Shutters of Provence near Lourmarin](jpg/autumn-shutters-in-provence-version-2-1024x984.jpg)
& (mais bien sûr)
SUNFLOWERS ![Sunflowers fields of Provence near Lourmarin](jpg/sunflower-field-in-provence-1024x649.jpg)
Breathtaking scenery![](jpg/lavender-in-the-luberon-valley-in-june-1-1024x622.jpg)
in the summer carpeted with ‘the blue gold of Provence.’
Tree lined Avenues![Tree lined avenues and roads of the Luberon, Provence](jpg/tree-lined-avenues-1024x768.jpg)
leading to lush vineyards,
stunning wine domains each offering their own unique taste of the terroir,
for what could be Provencal than a pale, crisp glass of rosé?
Splendid Provencal cities![Sundrenched city of Aix-en-Provence](jpg/stunning-cities-aix-en-provence-1-1024x768.jpg)
with majestic squares and gurgling fountains
perfect for dining el fresco, one of the greatest joys of life in Provence.
Meandering cobbled streets
flanked by golden, limestone buildings with brightly shuttered windows.
A vibrant Roman heritage & centuries of rich history
Roman Amphitheaters ![The Arles Roman Arena](jpg/roman-heritage-of-provence-1024x768.jpg)
2000 year old viaducts![The Roman Aqueduct of Pont du Gard near Uzes Languedoc Roussillon France](jpg/the-pont-du-gard-near-uzes-1024x638-2.jpg)
Papal Palaces![Palais des Papes, Avignon, Vaucluse, Provence, France](jpg/palais-des-papes-avignon-1024x558.jpg)
Geological wonders![Geological wonders of Provence in Roussillon, Luberon, Provence](jpg/geological-wonders-of-provence-1024x768.jpg)
Fairytale chateaux![The Fairy Tale Chateau of Lourmarin, the Luberon, Vaucluse, Provence, France](jpg/the-fairy-tale-chateau-of-lourmarin-1024x640.jpg)
Mystical hilltop villages perchés ![Bonnieux, a perched village of the Luberon, Provence](jpg/perched-villages-1-1024x768.jpg)
& enchanting villages![Lourmarin a magical Provencal village in the Luberon](jpg/magical-provencal-villages-1024x605.jpg)
their clay-tiled roof tops guarding the secrets of a bygone era.
Entrancing & beguiling, begging to be explored,
along cobbled streets by ancient doorways.
Weekly Provencal markets![Provencal markets](jpg/the-provencal-markets-1024x896.jpg)
Overflowing with local gifts to fill your basket
Lavender![Lavender in the Lourmarin market](jpg/lavender-in-the-lourmarin-market-1024x848.jpg)
Handmade soaps![Savon de Marseille](jpg/savon-de-marseille-1024x768.jpg)
Olives![Olives for sale in Saint-Rémy-de-Provence market, Provence, France](jpg/olives-for-sale-in-saint-re%cc%81my-de-provence-market-1024x627.jpg)
Baskets![Baskets for sale in the Lourmarin market, Provence, France](jpg/baskets-for-sale-in-the-lourmarin-market-1024x594-2.jpg)
Linens![Provencal table linens in the Lourmarin market](jpg/french-table-linene-1024x460-2.jpg)
French bread ![French baguettes and bread](jpg/french-baguettes-1024x585.jpg)
and goats cheese,
specialities of Provence, all too tempting to resist.
Indeed a vast array of all things délicieux
sweet
and savory
So many favorite things from Provence
it’s hard to choose……
but perhaps what I love the most is its gentle tranquility, its peace, where just ‘to be’ is enough……….
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
What beautiful photos! Thank you for sharing them.
I can’t wait to get back to Provence!
Thank you Keith, when are you there we’ll be there for a couple of weeks in April, let me know!
Absolutely beautiful! Thank you for the lovely escape.
Thank you Cheryl lovely to hear from you!
The sun hasn’t found its way to the Seacoast of New Hampshire yet this morning so your gorgeous photos were all the more inviting! Thank you for sharing, Caroline.
So lovely to hear from you! I’m so happy that the poppies brightened your day. Im sure like me you’ve been looking at all the posts from Lourmarin as everything slowly begins to open up. I so hope it all goes well for all our special friends there and hope that we can be there together asap!! Hugs to you both and take care xxx
How Lovely to hear from you. I’m so glad that I was able to share some poppies from Provence to brighten your day. I’m sure like me you have been looking at all the photos posted from Lourmarin as they begin to open our lovely village. I have been thinking of everyone there so much and so hope things go well for everyone there. Hopefully we can be there together again asap! Big hugs and loves to you both and take care x
Bonjour Caroline,
Ahhhh—Provence! Your photographs are truly gorgeous and take me back to the many treasured hours, days, weeks, and months my husband and I have spent in this magical locale called Provence! This place is where I genuinely feel calm and think all is well with the world because the Provencal lifestyle, architecture, scenery, and people bring my five senses into perfect balance and give me an appreciation for such a very unique and extraordinary slice of paradise. Provence is where the beauty can momentarily help suspend the worries and concerns of life and routines of every day living at home in the USA. No other place I have experienced can compare to Provence. It’s magical spell won me over in 2004 and will always stay with me whether I am here or fortunate enough to be in Provence. You are indeed lucky to have your beautiful home in Lourmarin and I am very happy for you! Thank you for sharing your thoughts and photos to give your readers a lovely way to destress and dream of heavenly Provence. Blessings, Carol
Oh Carol thank you so much for reaching out and for your lovely message. I’m so happy you enjoyed the photos and that you share my feelings. It truly is a very special place and I hope you are able to spend some time there again soon. Take care Caroline
Lovely photos of my favourite place!
Thank you! I’ll be there mid April let me know if you are too! x
Photos are a perfect portrayal! White lavender?
you take such lovely photos! just subscribed!
Thank you so much!