An abandoned farm house sits in the middle of a plowed field in the valley.
Abandoned Farm House in the Field
An abandoned farm house sits in the middle of a plowed field in the valley.
The Top of The Village
Trees grow on the top tier of the village of Bonnieux built on a mountain top. Through the trees in center is visible, a crucifix (cross) on a pedestal, which is typical of the historic Catholic culture of France.
House Built Into A Village Wall
Black shutters keep the sun out of a house built right into the southern exposure of a village wall.
In a Shady Evergreen Glade
I snapped these forming cones in a shady evergreen glade in the Luberon Hills.
Scarecrow on Terrace Garden
A rather nattily dressed scarecrow chases the birds away on a garden terrace.
Impressionistic Orchard Lane
I used the impressionist filter to render the picture of the rustic orchard lane into a painting. The orchard lane reminded me of my grandfather's farm, and a sunny day on a farm lane is as pastoral as one can get.
Classic Provencale Fabric Pattern & Colours
The colours, motifs and patterns of Provencale fabrics are ubiquitous. This example is seen on table cloths, draperies, quilts and virtually anywhere fabric is used.
The View From the Vineyard
The view from the vineyard across the valley to hills is always spectacular, and very pastoral.
Walking Through the Vineyard
I was walking through a Provence vineyard. I looked down and saw a snail shell and a ladybug.
Roads in Provence
Roads in Provence are generally excellent, well marked and with good indication of the next town and how far. The road system in France is generally very good.
Row of Shops
A row of shops in Sr. Saturnin has a driving school tucked in between a home furnishing shop and a shop that sells awnings and pergola covers.
Chock-a-block Full
Take a look at what is crammed into this village square. You have a hostel, a cafe, a restaurant, a hotel, an ice cream shop and a war memorial.
A Perfect Example
A perfect example about what I like about Provence. Here we have a terrace melding into a street with parked cars. Below is the lower tier of the village built on a mountainside. But in spite of the fact there is a stone retaining wall, it is lined with planters and pots of flowers. Flowers are EVERYWHERE in Provence.
Villagers On A Sunday Morning
Villagers walk their dog along the hilltop village streets on a Sunday morning.
Street Meets Gate in Village Wall
As you drive through the village on the narrow streets, you come to the ancient wall of the old village. This was a gate in the wall. It is obvious that the car will not fit through a gate made for donkeys and horses. And you have to back up all the way, because there is no place to turn around. These are some of the quaint surprises in the hilltop villages of Provence. In another place, the road changes abruptly into stairs.
Incredibly Old Grape Vine
The older that a grape vine is, the thicker it is. This old specimen has been pruned many many seasons and still is producing in a Provencale vineyard.
In a Provence Church Yard
I snapped the above picture in the church yard in the village of Roussillon.
Medieval Walls and Vine
This old rock wall abuts the wall of a hilltop village. A solitary grape vine grows against the ancient rock and doorway lintel. The mortar is made with ocher.
The Hameau
A hameau is French for hamlet. The way that many hameaus came into existence, is that a wealthy farmer would build a dwelling for his grown son and his wife. Also there would be a dwelling for the hired help. Over the generations, a mini village would arise with many dwellings. Hameaus are sought after dwellings these days, because they are usually surrounded by pastoral farm land and vines, even though the houses are close together.A wonderful field of poppies is in front of this hameau.
Beautiful Wooden Door
A village house has an elegant wrought iron gate and a marvelous old wood door that adds charm to this residence.
Castle Turret
This turret wall is on the castle in the village of Gordes. What caught my eye, was the shooting port in the castle wall, where a defender could fire from.
Village House with Artistic Flair
An ocher village house displays an artistic flair with a bird motif.
Bucket of Rocks
This bucket of rocks was in the vineyard. Limestone rocks are spread on the ground at the base of grape vines to both reflect the light and hold the heat for the vines. This is an ancient technique that is still practiced.
The Portable Fish Market
On market day, the portable fish market shows up in small towns in Provence selling fresh fish probably hauled up from Marseille.
Mas With Attached Chapel
A provencale manor house or mas oftentimes had an attached chapel as this one has. The little outcropping from the building is the chapel.
Yellow Flowered Bush
I was in the country taking a late afternoon walk among the vineyards along a quiet road. I came upon these bushes growing wild, just ablaze with yellow flowers.
Doorway of Provence with Stone Mailbox
This beautiful doorway is typically French, narrow and tall with dark wood. The interesting item in the shot is the stone mailbox.
Hidden Living Spaces
Little patios, hidden nooks, flowers, doorways, bright shutters, and a barbecue are the hallmarks of these village house entrance ways.
Hilltop Village Tiers
Here is a schematic of the the village of Bonnieux showing how the tiers work on a hilltop village.
Almonds and Irises
Almonds ripen in the Provencale sun while irises grow along the line of almond trees.
Neat Narrow Shop
An incredibly narrow shop straddles the loop back street that goes down the mountain from the village.
Large Vineyard
A large vineyard spreads out in the sun beside neatly manicured topiary trees, while the majestic mas (manor house) reposes in the trees behind the fields of vines.
Garden Greenery
This bit of garden greenery caught my eye. This isn't one flower petal, but lots of colour in this planter.
Green Cherries
Cherries have a special place with me. We had a cherry tree in the backyard all of my growing up years. And part of the charm of Provence, is that there are cherry trees everywhere. It is one of my favourite fruits.
Cafe Row
A row of cafes and restaurants dots a village street near a garage. The menu includes plates of the day, costing 9 Euros. One of the menu choices is rabbit.
Iron Gate
An iron gate closes off the lower level egress to a village house. Village house built on hills have weird inner geometries such that a doorway like this could be a main entrance. It is part of the enchantment of the buildings in Provence.
Vineyards in the Valley
Vineyards checker the valley, laid out in neat squares in the Provencal sun.
Lavender Art
Besides ocher and vineyards, Provence is also known for it lavender fields. Pictured outside this souvenir shop, is lavender art.
Empty Pool
It was early spring and the pool was being prepared for use, but for the time being it was empty, as was the Euro-chic furniture beside the pool.
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