Summer concert time

Two superb concert festivals have just opened in Provence. The International Piano Festival at La Roque d'Antheron and the International Chamber Music Festival in Salon de Provence. What better way to spend a summer evening than a concert under the stars at both of these lovely venues.

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

Beautiful Aix

The lovely old buildings of Aix - a real treat for the eyes whether at night with their atmospheric lighting or in the day catching the rays of the Provencal winter sun

Mediterranean skies

A bright day over the Mediterranean to start the New Year with a lovely rainbow over the coast at Marseille

Winter lavender

Beautiful at all times of the year. Nestling low on the ground under a blue provencal sky, this lavender field on the Plateau de Sault is in its winter hibernation.

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.

And now the vines

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

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.

14 July celebrations

The courtyard of the Palais des Papes in Avignon buzzing with people dancing, watching the open air shows and enjoying the beautiful setting.

Avignon en fete

The Avignon Festival in full swing. Advertising everywhere for all the shows - even the bank can't escape turning into a billboard!

Shopping with a difference

The brand new shopping centre Les Terrasses has just opened in Marseille. Stunning views across the Mediterranean from the upstairs terrace. A perfect spot for strolling and dining at one of the outdoor restaurants before hitting the shops.

A host of lavender blue irises

This really is a spring for irises. A beautiful display of lavenderblue irises and purple allysums in a garden in the Alpilles

It feels like summer already at the seaside

A beautiful sunny Sunday in Bandol on the Mediterranean coast.  Exotic flowers in bloom, the boats at their winter moorings in the harbour under the bluest of skies - except for the one which at some time obviously suffered a stormy night on the coast and ended up on the beach!

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.

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.

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

I've produced an English version of the St Sat war memoir booklet.  A few folks have asked me for a copy. Please email if you'd like one.

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