Sweet juicy strawberries and cherries, freshly picked from local fields, still tingle in my mouth. Mistral winds still prickle goosebumps on my arms. The songs of les cigales (cicadas), still ring in my ears. Such are the vivid memories of my recent trip to Provence. Since photos communicate the variety of experiences and colors succinctly, I’ll continue in that vein and pick up where my last blog post left off (a photo essay of the Arles market). The photos are presented in chronological order. My travels began in the dazzling and lively city of Marseille, mellowed in the lovely low-key village of Cassis, shifted up a gear again in Avignon where I joined the New York Times Journey tour Flavors of Provence as the featured expert, and ended in a flash with Annie Leibovitz’s photos in Arles. Sit back, scroll through, and sip a glass of rosé….!
Fishing boats in the Old Port of Marseille
Fresh catch
Notre-Dame-de-la-Garde basilica in Marseille (“La Bonne Mère”)
Cap Canaille, between Cassis and La Ciotat
Cassis, a tiny fishing port with big appeal
Happy to be in Provence
“Flavors of Provence” group embarking on the New York Times Journeys tour
Pont Saint-Bénézet in Avignon, also known as the Pont d’Avignon (tra-la-la)
Excellent cheese vendor in Les Halles d’Avignon market
Café break in L’Isle-sur-la-Sorgue
Châteauneuf-du-Pape vineyard with Olivier Hickman, wine guide
Gordes, one of the most beautiful villages in France
Fertile Luberon
Sénanque Abbey
Inner courtyard at Abbaye de Sénanque
Basil farm with owner/farmer Catherine Pisani
Fresh-picked basil, freshly made pistou for soupe au pistou
Buoux, France
Bust of Nostradamus in Saint-Rémy (where he was born)
Lolo, the quintessential Provençal host
Courtyard at sanitorium where van Gogh lived (Saint-Rémy)
Garlic, garlic…
& more garlic
Markets of Provence pop-up
Market baskets
Local bounty
Roman amphitheater in Arles
Traditional wedding dance in Arles
Annie Leibovitz photo, Rencontres Arles exhibit
Related Posts:
Saint-Rémy-de-Provence
Arles Market
20 comments. Leave new
Makes me want to return……
I hope that you will!
Thank you, Marjorie! From your wonderful photos, I can smell and taste the foods. Wish I had been there!
Maybe next time??! ~Marjorie
Unbelievable. I have been to many of these places, but the photos took me right back. Extraordinary. Thanks so much for sharing.
Thanks, Jeff. Good to hear from you! ~Marjorie
Lovely!
Thank you.
Marjorie, I lived in Avignon as a student. I’ve been to almost all of your places and the pictures take me back in such a sweet way. It makes me think that I must return…
It would be fascinating to return all these years later. I think that you’d really enjoy it.
You have captured the essence of Provence in your colorful photos. Can’t wait for our week there in September!!
Thank you. Wishing you a great time there in September!
Fabulous photos, Marjorie! Truly gorgeous!
Thank you 🙂
You can certainly smell and appreciate the gorgeous photographs. If only ….
Thrilled you had a marvelous time, and I am sure you NYT group was fully
Immeshed in the local culture and offerings 😘
Thanks, Laurie. Maybe turn that “if only…” into a “and soon…!”
Proof positive quality photos can really transport you.
The most economical way to travel!
Pictures are like smell-o-vision! Wonderful
Merci!