The French town of Provence

Provence

From the day of its birth, Provence (Provence) in southern France carefully kept her secrets until the arrival of the Englishman Peter Mayle. In Meyer's writings, "Provence" is no longer a simple geographical name, but also represents a simple, carefree, relaxed and lazy lifestyle; a kind of indifference, watching the flowers bloom and fall in front of the court; leaving or leaving without any intention. Look at the relaxing mood of the clouds in the sky. Today, millions of people flock to Provence and the C?te d'Azur in southern France every year to experience the indescribable scenery in the albums and the incredible leisure in the novels. If traveling is about getting rid of the shackles of life, Provence will make you forget everything.

The best time of year in Provence is summer. The sky is blue and clear, the air is like fresh iced lemonade filling the lungs, and the deepest part of my heart feels like there is a clear spring flowing through it, making me want to sing. The lavender all over the mountains and plains makes people ecstatic. Bicycles, cows' heads, and girls' skirts are covered with deep purple and light blue bouquets. The whole valley is filled with the strong fragrance of ripe grass. In the field, cages of lavender and tall sunflowers spread out in neat rows stretching into the distance. There was an apple tree leaning on the edge of the field, and not far away there were several small brick houses with yellow walls and blue wooden windows. The sun shines on the lavender bouquet, creating a bluish-purple golden glow.

The free color inspires artists to create. Great painters such as Cézanne, Van Gogh, Monet, Picasso, and Chagall have all been injected with a new sense of art by Provence; American writers Fitzgerald, British writer D.H Lawrence, French writer Huxley, German poet Nietzsche and others have also come to pilgrimage. Among the pilgrims was Peter Meyer, who brought Provence to its peak with "The Days in the Mountains".

Looking for elegant love in Provence, France

Provence, France, was famous for its knightly love in the 12th century. When we think of France, we immediately say “ROMANTIC”! In fact, the etymology of the word "ROMANCE" has been associated with the legend of knights from the beginning. Loyal love for a noble woman is the starting point and end point of all knight's activities. In this era when love has become as simple and fast as instant noodles, in this era when hearts change faster than faces, couples who are destined to join hands in marriage go to Provence for their own honeymoon trip, follow the elegant knight's love, maybe love will be from then on It’s really too old.

In addition to the romantic love legend, the scenery of Provence is even more attractive. There are not only the passionate cities of Marseille and Nice, but also the gentle university towns of Aix and Avignon, as well as those small medieval villages that have escaped the changes of the centuries. Barren canyons, neat fields, pristine mountains...all are enclosed in less than 150 square miles of Provence. It’s hard to find anywhere that blends past and present as perfectly as in Provence. In Orange, you can sit and watch a play in the Roman-era amphitheater; in Arles, you can spend an afternoon sitting in the café of Place du Forum. The intoxicating scenery is similar to that of Van Gogh a century ago. There is almost no difference in what is drawn.

Three Romantic Places in Provence

1. The Land of Lavender

With the popularity of "Lavender", many romantic girls are obsessed with it There are even many "nymphomaniacs" who have come all the way to Provence, the hometown of lavender, to look for it.

The famous lavender viewing areas in Provence are the Luberon Mountains and the Schimiana Mountains.

1. The flower field of Senanque Abbey in the Luberon Mountains is the most famous lavender viewing place in the region. It is also the background of the book "Mountain Life" and is known as the most beautiful in France. one of the valleys. There is a 12th-century monastery on the mountain. There is a large lavender field in front of Senanque Monastery, which was planted by the monks in the monastery. There are lavenders of different colors.

2. Simiane-la-Rotonde Simiane is a very distinctive mountain town. On the top of the mountain stands a castle Rotonde built in the 12th to 13th centuries, surrounded by A large lavender field. Standing in the town of Shimiyana, you can see purple flower fields everywhere, spreading endlessly.

2. Marseille and Ifu Island

Marseille’s fame is partly due to "La Marseillaise". It is located on the northern coast of the Mediterranean Sea and is the second largest city in France. It is not as prosperous as Paris, but it has the most charming scenery along the Mediterranean coast: the water and sky are the same blue, and there is no distance between people. Standing on the coast, you feel like you are standing in the middle of the water. The city's Notre Dame de la Garde, Saint-Jean Fortress, museums, etc. are all places worth visiting.

And "The Grudge of Monte Cristo" draws the attention of tourists from the ancient prosperity of Marseille to the slightly lonely Island of Ifo in the sea, because that is where the Count of Monte Cristo was imprisoned. Ifu Island is a 20-minute boat ride from Marseille Port. It is a unique pleasure to explore along the road described in the book while holding the novel in hand.

3. Cannes

When Cannes is mentioned, what comes to mind is the film festival. With so many world-class stars gathering here, it must be a good place. It only takes one hour by car from Marseille to Cannes.

In addition to the famous Cannes Film Festival, there are many other local festivals to attract tourists. So no matter when you go, you'll always have a good day, and don't be disappointed if you don't get the star-studded event.

If you have read the book "A year in Provence", you will yearn for the Provence region in southern France. Even if you have never read the British writer Peter Mellor's description of Provence, you should read his book before traveling to the south of France. Ten years ago, Peter Mellor wrote his life experience in Provence into "The Years in the Mountains", which not only made it onto the bestseller lists in the United Kingdom and the United States, but also made Provence a popular tourist destination. Later, "Mountain Years" won the "Best Travel Book of the Year" in the UK, was translated into many languages, and was made into a TV series and adapted into a radio drama. From then on, Provence became famous far and wide.

In fact, Peter Merle has left Provence and returned to live in the United States, but people who have read this book are still coming in an endless stream to look for the couple’s former residence, which is mentioned in the book. Restaurants, small towns, etc.

The story of "Mountain Years" mostly describes the human relationships and life in the valley village of Petit Luberon, a small town in Provence. Therefore, the Cavaillon Tourism Bureau in the region took advantage of the situation to promote local tourism and launched "Peter Merle's Provence Tour Group" to take tourists to visit the cities and countryside recorded in the book and try the food praised by the author... .

The small town of Kavilon guards the valley of Luberon and is the gateway to the villages and towns in the valley. The most famous cantaloupe grown here is the cantaloupe. Every summer, you can come and participate in the cantaloupe festival and celebrate with the locals. The town's famous pastry shop, Chez Auzet, featured in Peter Merle's book, is now a thriving little shop.

The "Cafe-Restaurant de la Gare" mentioned in the book has now become a must-visit place for tourists. Peter Merle's favorites include crispy goat cheese salad, braised beef with mushroom stuffed tomatoes, cheese platter, butter-roasted apples, French wine, etc. Book lovers must try it.

The small villages and towns in the valley are the peaceful towns that Peter Merle loved. If you have time to explore them one by one, entering them will be like entering the world of "Mountain Years"...

Two major attractions for viewing lavender

Lavender is a native of Provence Famous flowers, the fragrant oil extracted from the flowers, can be made into essential oils, perfumes, herbal teas and other famous products. From July to August every year, during the summer, Provence's lavender blooms in the sunshine. Large fields of purple flowers dot the valleys of southern France. They are rich and fragrant, and intoxicate tourists.

Un-blooming lavender looks like green rice seedlings. During the summer flowering period, purple flower spikes begin to bloom from the top. Additionally, it has white and yellow flowers. The two famous lavender viewing areas in Provence are the Luberon Mountains and the Schimiana Mountains.

1 Luberon

The flower fields of the Senanque Abbey, which is the background of the book "The Years in the Mountains", is known as one of the most beautiful valleys in France .

There is a monastery built in the 12th century on the mountain. In front of Senanque Abbey is a large lavender field, planted by the monks in the monastery, with lavender of different colors. The souvenir shop in the monastery sells a variety of lavender products, books, postcards, etc.

Tourist Service Center

Apt Tourist Office

Address: Place Bouquerie 4, Av. Philippe de Girard 84400Apt

Tel: 33- 4-90-74-03-18

Lavender Tour

①Lavander 1100

A guided tour to visit flower fields and purchase products.

Tel: 33-4-90-75-01-42

②Chateau de Bois Lavender Farm

Walking tour of the flower fields, the process of refining essential oils and souvenirs shop.

Tel: 33-4-90-76-91-23

2 Simiane-la-Rotonde

Simiane It is a very distinctive mountain town. On the top of the mountain stands Rotonde, a castle built in the 12th to 13th centuries, surrounded by a large lavender field. Standing in the town of Shimiyana, you can see purple flower fields everywhere, spreading endlessly.