Reflections of winter in Provence

The beautiful light of Provence continues throughout the year. Here the winter sun in the village of Roussillon, the reflections of the water in the River Sorgue at Fontaine de Vaucluse and the stunning colours of the cherry trees before leaf fall.

Last night was another perfect summer supper with friends. Perhaps worth a little plug for our favourite resto, Le Fournil in Bonnieux.  We've all been going here for the past twenty years and it goes from strength to strength.  Don't know if the guys will be there for ever so maybe worth a visit soon.

Le Fournil, Bonnieux

Its' almost lavender time in Provence. The fields are beginning to show their colour and it will soon be a carpet of purple and mauves in the Luberon valley. This field near the pretty village of Roussillon in the Luberon valley is already a popular photo stop!

Superb concert in Oppede le Vieux

For the second year, the old church in the ruined medieval village of Oppede le Vieux has hosted three fabulous concerts. Yesterday a mixture of pieces from Verdi, Handel and Mozart were just wonderful. A not to be missed summer concert in the Luberon.

Its that concert time of year in Provence

The concert season is in full swing in Provence starting this week with the superb Chamber Music Festival in Salon. This festival gathers together artists who are the very best in their field for some superb musical evenings in lovely historical locations. The Chateau de L'Emperi and the Abbaye de St. Croix are just two of the venues.

Tranquil Provence

A lovely place to relax on a hot summer day in Provence - the cool etang in the pretty village of Cucuron in the south Luberon.

Fabulous lavender everywhere

The fields of the Plateau de Valensole bursting with colour. Its summer in Provence

Winter colours in Provence

The light of Provence catches all the beauty of the countryside whatever the season.

Cherry trees in bloom - its definately spring time!

Cherry trees out everywhere throughout the Luberon valley - a sure sign of Spring.

Easter Sunday Pottery Market

The lovely old village of Bonnieux hosts a pottery market every Easter when potters and artists from all around the region display their creativity.

Villages full of history - a story on every corner

A Luberon winter institution

Winter in Provence has to be celebrated with a taste of the superb truffles this region produces. There are many local truffle fairs at this time of the year but one of the best is held just after Christmas in Menerbes in the Luberon. Here yesterday the crowds turned out in force to enjoy the stroll to the square at the top of this lovely old village, maybe to buy but certainly to enjoy a soft truffle omelette - the perfect lunch!

Panoramic views

The Luberon area has some of the most superb wide open vistas. Here on a winter's day the sun shines across the valley with views towards the southern Alps in the far distance - with just a touch of early snow on the tops.

Cherry blossom time

All over the Luberon valley the cherry orchards are alight with fluffy white blossom. Against the blue, blue provencal sky this is just a delight and a real sign of spring time.

Primrose walk

A delightful spring walk by the River Aigebrun in the Parc Naturel du Luberon - primroses, ferns and hidden waterfalls

And now the vines

Beautiful reds, golds and oranges at the Domaine de la Verriere in the Parc Naturel du Luberon.

Golds of Autumn everywhere

Here a host of plane trees make a cathedral of gold on the road towards St. Remy in the Alpilles. What a picture.

Memories

In different locations, often in the remotest places are to be found these descriptions of events during the Second World War. Resistance fighting took place all over Provence and the Chemins de la Memoire with their moving accounts of local battles, sometimes with loss of live, give us a real insight into the events of the time.

The red ochre of Roussillon

The beautiful ochre cliffs in Roussillon in the Luberon in the late afternoon sun. Stunning colours. No wonder this lovely spot attracts so many visitors each year to this charming provencal village.

Art art art

The village of Lacoste and the open day of the Savannah College of Art's annual exhibition. Art in all shapes and sizes.