When spring arrives, the villages and countryside of Provence burst into life. Fields of crimson poppies sit alongside orchards full of blossoming apricot, cherry and olive trees. Head to one of the many beautiful villages to find your perfect place to sit and watch the world go by from a terraced café. Visit colourful markets brimming with fabulous local produce. Get up early to watch the sun rise over the majestic Palace of the Popes in Avignon, and sip aperitifs under the stars. Provence is an intoxicating land of extravagant natural beauty and in the spring, nature has a party on its lands! Have your cameras at the ready – Provence has a photo opp at every corner…
The Great outdoors
Spring in Provence brings the promise of warm, sunny days and it’s the perfect time to get out and about and enjoy the countryside. There are two major nature parks – Mont Ventoux Regional Park and the Luberon Regional Natural Park which is spread over 185,000 hectares and includes dozens of pretty villages. Go cycling or hiking through the vineyards, from the pebbly ground of Châteauneuf-du-Pape to the limestone foothills of Ventoux and the clay soil of the Luberon plain, to discover the Syrah, Mourvèdre, Cinsault, Clairette, and Bourboulenc grapes that make the wine so special here.
Chateauneuf du Pape
Chateauneuf-du-Pape was where the popes who once lived in the historic city of Avignon in the 14th century, spent their summer holidays. They loved the wines grown here and today some of the most renowned wines in the world come from this little village and its surroundings. Visitors are spoiled for wine tastings in Chateauneuf-du-Pape including at the newly opened Vinothèque, the official wine outlet and showroom, and even at the Musée du Vin Brotte where you can discover all about the history of the wine.. And if you happen to be there at the end of March you can enjoy the largest Châteauneuf-du-Pape wine tasting event. The Printemps de Châteauneuf-du-Pape features more than 100 wine growers from the prestigious appellation, and a Slow Food market is set up outside for everyone to sit around large tables with a glass of Châteauneuf and a bite to eat. There’s no wine snobbery here, just passionate wine makers, keen to share their passion for the grape.
Verdant Vineyards
The vineyards sit alongside apricot and cherry orchards that in early spring are blossoming and by late spring are fruiting. Enjoy a picnic with producers and stop off at little hilltop villages for an al fresco break at a welcoming café or restaurant. Spring brings abundance and the markets are full of fresh produce – luscious strawberries, sweet cherries, juicy apricots, artichokes and herbs, cheeses and brightly coloured baskets. Every village has a market, and they are the perfect place to taste artisan chocolate, meet a goat’s cheese maker, quaff local wines, and enjoy sweet lavender honey and local olive oil made at an authentic mill.
Poppies of Provence
Dreamy photogenic landscape scenery is not rare in Provence, but the dazzling sight of the soft sun lighting up a carpet of crimson poppies in April and May will make you gasp. One of the prettiest places for poppy-watching is at the village of Lacoste which looks out towards Bonnieux and the Luberon Valley or near Carpentras, between the fortified village of Caromb and Le Barroux, one of the most beautiful villages in Provence. Also, the poppy fields are glorious between Bedoin and Crillon-le-Brave – where you can indulge in what has to be one of the best Sunday brunches in France at the 5-star Hotel Crillon-le-Brave.
As wild birds trill out their welcome to spring and blossom scents the air, you feel the countryside bursting into vibrant life all around you and as feel-good factors go, this is pretty unbeatable and unbeatably pretty.
Gorgeous Gardens
Provence is teeming with gorgeous gardens you can visit like Villa Ephrussi at Cap Ferrat. Le Pavillon de Galon on the edge of Cucuron – where the movie “A Good Year” was filmed. With its landscape lapping at the foot of the Luberon, Le Pavillon de Galon this magnificent garden is a snapshot of Provence’s natural bounty. (Visit on reservation).
Don’t miss the Rose des Arts rose garden in nearby Isle-sur-la-Sorgue. In May and June, 3,500 bushes of pink Centifolia Baptistine roses burst into bloom and fill the air with their perfume. In the 18th century this grand rose became a favourite for use in the gloves made for the rich and the royals of Europe including Queen Marie Antoinette. The petals in this gorgeous garden are harvested to make perfume, rose coulis to add to Champagne, rose flavoured chocolates and syrups.
In Avignon the garden of the Palace of the Popes is a secluded secret of the city with deckchairs for relaxing in the wonderfully landscaped areas including the Benedict XII Garden and the Papal Garden. The popes had direct access to the gardens from their chambers and today the gardens feature plants that were popular at that time, as well as a replica of an ancient fountain surrounded by flowering meadows in the spring. One of the best ways to visit is to get up early to watch the sun rise over the Palace of the Popes, enjoy a leisurely coffee and croissant as you watch the city come to life, wander the Papal gardens, and then go island hopping!
Island hopping
The Ile de la Barthelasse is the biggest river island in France and is like a huge garden in itself! Take a free, 5-minute ferry service to the island from near the famous Pont d’Avignon, a stone’s throw from the Papal garden. From the island there are beautiful views of the famous bridge, the palace and the city walls. You can buy local produce at the Ferme de la Reboule and have lunch beside the water at Le Bercail restaurant. Wander or cycle the plane tree shaded paths that wind between apple trees and cherry orchards and stop at the Manguin Distillery where they make pastis and pear brandy.
Provence is a little bit of heaven on earth…
Want to capture the beauty of Provence on camera? Book a half-day or full-day photo workshop with internationally renowned American photographer Raina Stinson. Now living in Provence, Raina knows all the most beautiful spots for your perfect photo souvenirs. Tours are available all year round: rainastinsonphotography.com
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