Classical Wine of Provence - Rosé

Provence is too sunny and hot to produce a really good red wine, but their rosés are beyond compare.  It is the classical wine of Provence.  There are many varieties including the famous rosé wines grown in the Camargue on sand.  The entire Camargue region is the ancient river delta of the Rhone River, and it has the silt and sand of ages collected there.  The Sablon rosé wine is beyond compare.  However, most rosé in any part of Provence is excellent, and it is the beverage of choice.

Stone House Building Techniques


The larger houses in Provence were built of stone.  I was intrigued as to these iron features that I saw on the buildings.  It turns out that there are rods running through to reinforce the stone and hold the wall together.  These are like big washers.  They are quite decorative.

Spring Colors


We had just arrived at the mas that we were staying at, and I was a bit jet-lagged.  I took my camera and decided to walk around the garden.  It was spring time.  I saw this pretty arrangement of colors, flowers and foliage that fascinated me.  It was a visual treat for the eyes.

Plane trees or plantane trees lining the roads

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Indicative of Provence are the plane trees or plantane trees lining the road.  They are in Van Gogh's paintings.  They are used as a memorial for fallen war dead.  They are in the village squares.  They are the trees of Provence.

Signs, signs, everywhere the signs


You don't see this very often in Provence -- the ad hoc signs on a street corner.  However this is a main road, sort of a highway, and it sees a lot of traffic, so the signs trying to capitalize on the number of passing motorists.  If you see a farm selling fruits and vegetables like the blackboard sign, it is definitely worth a stop.

Sunset on the Main Street

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This is not a tourist town, and once the business day is over, the town closes up and the main street is deserted, and the sun kisses the town goodnight for another beautiful day in Provence.

Near St. Remy-de-Provence

The architecture of this building is so different from anything else in Provence.  I had to photograph it because of its stark plainness compared to everything else that I see.  However it is a municipal utility building so that could explain why it is so utilitarian.

Dispenser


I was indoors in a Provencal house and I saw this hanging on the wall.  I am not sure if it were a dispenser for holy water, olive oil or lavender oil.  Whatever the function it was quite beautiful.

The bottom receptacle slides off presumably for cleaning.

Wrought Iron Flower Planter


It was spring time and the flowers were just coming out in the natural outdoor gardens, but the weather was warm enough for these plants which spent the winter indoors to go outside for the season.  They were put in a beautiful wrought iron planter.

It isn't all rustic and antique


It isn't all rustic and antique in Provence.  This has to be one of my favorite stores.  Not only does it sell the best of cheeses, meats, charcuterie and groceries, but it also sells clothes and electronics.  My friend was having a birthday, and he has an ancient laptop without a wireless card.  I wanted to get him a USB dongle, and this store had it -- for the equivalent of $20.  It is amazing what this store carries, and at good prices.

Road to the town of Apt

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This is just at the traffic circle of the road leading into Apt in Provence.  Even in the modern parts of the town, it is quite picturesque.  Market day in Apt is quite exciting.

French Thistle in Vineyard


One would tend to associate thistles with Scotland, however this one was growing at the edge of a vineyard in France.  You can see the grape leaves and vines in the background.

Beautiful Wooden Doorway into Courtyard


This beautiful wooden doorway into the courtyard has greenery adorning the top of the wall.  Note the pattern of the ironwork.  The wavy design is a typical Provencal styling.