Pollarded Plane Trees

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This is a picture of the pollarded plane trees or plantane trees in downtown Aix-en-Provence.  Pollarding is a technique in France where all of the branches are cut off, leaving the big old stumps.  The tree regenerates many many little branches after this treatment.

The Modern Side of Aix-en-Provence

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There are some quite modern buildings in Aix-en-Provence.  As you drive to the old downtown square, you will see these modern apartment buildings.

Driving Through Les Alpilles

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Les Alpilles are picturesque, crumbly limestone mountains in the south of France.  The scrub land is known as the maquis.  It is actually quite beautiful to hike in, and come across herds of sheep and goats grazing on the sparse herb vegetation.

Simple Provencal Lunch

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A simple Provencal lunch consisting of cheese, tomatoes, eggs, salad greens, spelt bread and of course the rose wine that Provence is famous for.

A Field of Poppies

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Everyone associates fields of poppies with Flanders and Belgium due to the poem.  However Provence is also filled with fields of wild poppies that are beautiful.

Aix-en-Provence Street View on the Way to Downtown

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This is the street view as one approaches the downtown of Aix-en-Provence.  Downtown center, the streets are line with the plane trees or plantane trees and you can see the beginning of them in the left of this picture.

Gite Terrace

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This is the private terrace of a guest gite.  It is in a wonderful setting with the ubiquitous flowers and the gorgeous scenery of Provence.

Garden Near Orange

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Orange is considered the northern end of Provence.  The hills are a little higher as one approaches the Alps.  The beauty is still indescribable.

Boulangerie au Feu De Bois

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The translation of this bakery is the Wood Fire Bakery.  It is also a tea room, and (the Academie Francais would have a fit) -- a sandwicherie.  It is in a small crossroads town near St. Remy de Provence.

Lupine Flower

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These lupine flowers were found growing wild in a field.  I suppose that their seeds had traveled by the wind and found themselves growing here, because they are a beautiful garden flower.  But this just shows you of the ubiquity of flowers everywhere in Provence.

Lovely Wrought Iron Work

Just like crystal door knobs in Victorian houses, the wrought iron work in the old houses is artisan craftsmanship beyond compare.  The work is magnificent, graceful and artistic.  You don't see the care, design and decoration going into the new houses.  This is part of Provence charm.

Vines And Forsythia Through The Window

Yesterday, I showed forsythia blossoms in detail close up.  When you are in the farm building looking out of a rustic window, you will see the thick grape vines and the forsythia bush growing near the rock wall.  A beautiful view through the window.

Forsythia Blooming in Spring

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Forsythia in the spring brings on a vibrant yellow shower of blossoms that turn gold in the evening setting sun.  Forsythia lines the narrow farm lane ways creating a splash of color worthy of a Van Gogh painting.  These blooms just add to the theme of flowers everywhere in Provence.