Mediterranean Style House

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The pollarded trees and vines shade the sunny entrance to this Mediterranean style house near Cassis. This is a charming village scene in a picturesque town.

Domaine Saint-Louis Cassis


The sign says Domaine Saint-Louis Cassis, Degustation - Vente -- meaning Tasting and Sales.  Unfortunately I did not stop to taste the wine.  Cassis is an incredibly beautiful place in Provence at the beginning of the French Riviera by the sea.  The geographic feature are sharp cliffs near the sea, and calanques,

A calanque is a steep walled inlet or cove, somewhat like a fjord only on a smaller scale.  Many boats take tourists to see the calanques, which are incredibly scenic.

On the sign, under the word Cassis, you have Appellation Contrôlée Cassis which means that the wine from Cassis is from an official area. And in the script there is a name: Laurent Jacque.

Apartments ~ Aix-en-Provence

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These old apartments are in the city of Aix-en-Provence.  They are limited to four floors, because there are no elevators.  They are all walk-ups.  Charming, but tough with groceries if you live in the top floor.  I imagine that a piano would pose difficulties as well on moving day, without an elevator.

Chic Shoppers in Aix-en-Provence

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There is plenty of shopping in Aix-en-Provence, and these two young, chic shoppers got an early start.

Toy Shop in Cassis

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Cassis is a pretty little town with stark, dramatic geography in the French Riviera.  It is a can't miss when travelling to Provence.  This is a view of the street scene and a toy shop in Cassis.

Stone Mailbox in Entrance to Hammeau

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This is a charming entrance to a hammeau, with a stone mailbox made into the field stone wall.  Charming.

Vineyard Bursting With New Growth In Spring

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Old vines are bursting with new growth in the spring.  Since grapes only grow on new wood, the vines are cut back right to the stumps.  New branches grow and it is on these new branches that the grapes grow.  Old wood doesn't produce grape clusters.


A View of St. Saturnin and the Church Steeple

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This is the town of St. Saturnin in the Luberon valley.  The rock cliff to the right actually goes higher and has an old church at its pinnacle that is no longer used for worship.  It is being restored as a museum.  The steeple and belfry visible here, is the working church in St. Saturnin, and the Luberon stretches away into the distance.