Its that foodie time of year

If you have a sweet tooth, this stall in Avignon Christmas market is the one for you!

Pushing the boat out on Christmas decorations!

Floating festive Russian dolls in Isle sur la Sorgue

and some very jolly wellington boot festive reindeer!

Rosé Rosé Rosé

A picture of summer sunshsine in December at the Oenotheque des Vins in Menerbes, a showcase of the best of the Luberon wines.

Is it real or is it a dream?

An amazing trompe l'oeil in Marseille. You would totally believe you were driving towards this beautiful looking building.

Marseille Mucem Images

This fascinating architecture means the Mucem is worth visiting just for the building alone.  The beautiful lattice work exterior and fascinating construction style provide some great images inside and out.

What an Esplanade

The stunning J4 Esplanade in Marseille.  The cantilever roof of the Villa Mediterranée reflected in the beautiful Mucem museum building.

And here the two lovely buildings seen together from the Fort St. Jean with the Cathedral Mont Majour in the background.

And again from the Fort St. Jean, the amazing elevated pedestrian bridge across to the Mucem building.  Just stunning architecture.

A fishy business

Fish swimming along a wall!  You see all sorts of interesting things in Provence in the most unlikely of places.

Here in Aubagne, part of an exhibition 'au fil de l'eau' . A school of fish moving in a slow and silent travel demonstrating the apparent fragility of the fluidity of time in a state of infinity - is a loose translation of the plaque.

 

A glorious day in Marseille

A day full of sunshine and lovely sights.
The stunning Norman Foster 'Ombriere' capturing amazing reflections of people and life around the Vieux Port

The cascades of the fountains at the Musee des Beaux Art, with playful pink dolphins.

And of course the always gorgeous view of the Vieux Port itself with a myriad of boats dancing in the Autumn sunshine

Classic architecture in Nimes

The beautiful Carre d'Art a Norman Foster designed art gallery is a delightful light and airy structure.

And in the square opposite, the fantastic Roman Maison Carre with its superbly detailed ceiling in the portico

And viewed from the Maison Carre, spot the crocodile on the roof!

Serene

An early morning hot air balloon ride over the Luberon valley. Just cresting the hill over Roussillon village and soaring towards the Petit Luberon mountains to the south. A picture of serenity.

Scary!

Scariest scarecrow ever seen!  In the gardens at Salagon

A prettier prospect in the flower beds.  The themed gardens have over 1700 species of plants.

Little pieces of history at Salagon

At the lovely old priory at Salagon, beautiful frescoes and some delightful carving detail at the entrance.

Everything is big in wine country

In the wine village of Gigondas, perhaps the biggest hanging basket in Provence.

And the wine list at the Hotel les Florets in Gigondas is a seriously big read!

What a stunning view!

Here from the Rocher du Midi in the Dentelles mountains above Gigondas. A lovely walk from the village up to the peak with its panoramic view then on through the heart of the mountains to the Col de Cayron and back to the village.  What better way to spend an August morning in Provence.

So much to do this summer

Culture, culture everywhere.
This is one exhibition not to be missed. In two parts, one in Marseille, one in Aix en Provence this fantastic collection explains how the artists inspired each other in terms of light and form - with subjects painted all around Provence. Just part of the Marseille European City of Culture events in 2013.

And the music plays on

Here in the cloisters of the beautiful Cistercian Abbaye de Sylvacane.

 

Summer in full swing

The summer concert is in full swing starting with the International Piano Festival at La Roque d'Antheron. A perfect way to spend a hot summer evening with picnic on the lawn before the open air concert.

And more beautiful views

Lavender now in bloom on the Plateau de Sault. Here a superb view with Mont Ventoux in the background - soon to be the high point of the Tour de France.

Stunning views

The lavender on the Plateau de Valensole today. Just a fabulous sight of beautiful colour stretching right to the horizon at the Ferme Anglevin.

Lavender is coming!

A little later than normal this year due to the cold Spring but the colour is just beginning to show in the lavender fields - the prospect of a glorious flowering soon to come.

Bouillabaise the traditional way

On the beach, cooked over an open fire and served on a cork platter. Fantastic summer lunch - but come hungry!

The blue waters of the stunning Lac de Sainte Croix

This beautiful lake in the Alpes de Haute Provence is the third largest in France. An artificial lake it enhances the stunning natural scenery of this lovely part of Provence and is renowned for the exceptionally pretty turquoise colour of the water, seen here especially where the Verdon river waters enter the lake at the end of the Gorges de Verdon.

Stones and Roses

The Chateauneuf du Pape appellation is one of the most famous names in the Cotes du Rhone area.  The reds, characterised by a dark robe as well as spicy, woody and peppery aromas are definitely wines for laying down but the lesser know whites too are exquisite.  In the vineyards you can see clearly the large river pebbles which soak up the sun’s heat during the day to warm the grapes at night. 

New view of the Dentelles & Mt Ventoux under a sheltering sky!

Belle de Nuit

Belle de nuit?
A 'lady of the night'
Pretty flowers which open only late afternoon and evening

Yes, both these but also a charming restaurant and chambre d'hote in Oppede le Vieux. This ruined medieval village nestles up against the mountains in the Parc Naturel du Luberon.

Laurie and Roger offer a delicious dinner in their delightful cosy restaurant. Check them out on www.belle2nuit.fr

Provencal hedgerows

Flowers dancing in the hedgerows on a beautiful sunny blue sky May day in Provence.
Such a delight.