Provence :: landscape

The village of Mormoiron where we stayed last week with Provence Temptations was small, ancient, picturesque and peaceful. It kind of nestled itself so beautifully into the surrounding landscape that it seemed as if it had been there forever. That's it in the picture above, taken from a local vineyard where we had an exclusive tour of the winery. It was really interesting to learn about the whole wine making process from the grape vine to the labelled bottle, and even more interesting to sample the various wines made there. Although I am blissfully ignorant when it comes to wine I did try really hard to recognise the hidden flavours that the knowledgeable wine lady was talking about. They all tasted scrummy to me.

I love these tall skinny trees and we saw them a lot as we travelled around Provence. I forget what they are called now, is it Cypress? Like much of this landscape, they made me feel a bit like I was walking inside a Van Gogh painting.

We went to many High Up Places when we travelled around and about. Sometimes the sheer height of where we found ourselves was really mind blowing. This rocky place is at the very top of Les Baux-de-Provence, a most picturesque and ancient hilltop village.

The views of the surrounding countryside were stunning...

 

....and I loved the green patchwork of fertile fields and olive groves spread out below.

The driving around and about between all the High Up Places was simultaneously spectacular and terrifying. Ooooooo those hair pin bends! Eeeeeek those sheer drops! But it was all worth while when we came to somewhere like this......

WOW!!!! Check that out! This is a famous piece of road which runs through the Gorges de la Nesque. It's famous due to lots of bicycles, ie the Tour de France, which comes this way.

Simply stunning scenery.

Breathtaking. You have to go look at this picture which shows the road we drove on. This one too. It was a little bit of white knuckle combined with a whole lot of ooooooo-eeeeeek.

Ahh, we are back on two feet now, the car has been left down by the river and we've walked up here to take in the view. This is another beautiful High Up Place, the old medieval part of a town called Vaison-la-Romaine.

More patchwork fields of grape vines, so lush and beautiful to look at. Incidentally, I took lots of pictures in the old town which I'll show you tomorrow, it was wonderfully atmospheric.

One of the things I was a little sad about was that October isn't lavender time. I would really, really have loved to be in this area in the summer months just to see the landscape wearing it's purple haze. The dried out greeny-brown version wasn't quite as pretty.

These particular lavender fields are famous in the region as they are tended to by Cistercian monks who live and work at Sénanque Abbey.

It was so serene and peaceful here, even though I kept wishing I could see and smell the lavender.

This incredible bridge was the last scenic tour we made during our week in Provence. It's an ancient Roman aqueduct bridge called the Pont du Gard, and is one of the most incredible, humongous structures I have ever set eyes on. It's hard to convey the scale of it, it's seriously massive I'm telling you.

Look, see? See how teeny-tiny those people look? It was an amazing place to be, both on the bridge itself, and down along the riverside looking up at the bridge. It was awe-some. And then some.

I love this last picture, it looks like it could be a painting don't you think?

In fact, the whole of Provence was impossibly picturesque and scenic. I adored feeling like I was somehow a part of it, that I could stroll about, gaze at the views, take it all in and feel like I was living inside a painting. It was a wonderful sensation.

Tomorrow I'm taking you through some really pretty little Provence villages, see you then....  

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Comments

[Rachael Iddon]

Hello, really enjoying the trip through Provence. Wish I was there....

[Ellen Snoek]

I've been there a few times, so great to look at these familiar pictures! Wish I was there too, just for a couple of days......

[5ladybird lane]

Lovely photos, looks like you've had a great time. Sarah

[Barbara]

Wow the views are just breath taking! I must put this on my must see places list.

[Fiona]

Really loving reading about your trip and all the lovely photos that are reminding me of all my trips to visit my Godmother when she lived in Provence. Would so love to go back there again. Those hairpin roads look amazing but quite terrifying. Fiona x

[Corrie]

beautiful photos! it looks like you had an amazing time, but the suspense of seeing your project is killing me!!!

[eskimo*rose]

It looks so idyllic Lucy, the light and temperature must be perfect at this time of year ... I can't wait to see your project!
xx

[Lynne Gill]

Now I needn't bother going myself, Lucy, great piccies!

[Melissa]

Oh it's so beautiful! I am a knitter more than crocheter and I have found this gorgeous sock yarn inspired by Van Gogh's work, see here: http://www.simplysockyarn.com/servlet/Categories?category=SOCK+YARN%3AOpal,+Van+Gogh I am currently knitting a pair inspired by his Red Vineyard. It is such fun seeing the painting's colours emerging in my sock. Thanks for the beautiful photos, I am loving reliving your time away with you :-D

[Shirley Flavell]

Wonderful photos and comments Lucy. Thoroughly enjoying every minute of your journey, thank you. I do so wish I could be there.France has long been high on my bucket list. Never travelled (other than a cruise up the Eastern side of Australia). Maybe one day, who knows.Shirley

[Sam]

I am really enjoying your lovely pics Lucy. Thanks for sharing :-)

[Helen]

lovely pictures!
I went to the pont du gard a few years ago, we were there in the summer and canoed down under the bridge
http://ahandfulofhope.blogspot.co.uk/2010/08/south-of-france.html
breath taking

[RainStorm]

Wow wow wow! What amazing scenery! And so peaceful :-)

[Alice C]

Hello lovely Lucy,
I was in the same area at almost the same time - isn't that amazing! I'm glad you had such a lovely week away - I looking forward to seeing your pictures of the villages.
Alicex

[Carolyn]

Thankyou for the tour Lucy. What a glorious part of the world. So many of the photos could be of places from 100 or even 500 years ago.I feel like I have just been on a mini-break in time and place!

[Sharon Braxton]

Simply amazing, Lucy. How pretty that area is. I just sit and look at the photos with my jaw hanging down so envious of the fact that you have been there. No, not really. I'm not much of traveler but I am oh so glad you went an brought back this wonderful images.

Hugs,
Sharon

[Alessandra]

Amazing landscape indeed!!!!
And the roman bridge.....!!!!
Thank you for sharing all these wonderful pics!!!
xxx Alessandra

[Diana]

The views are tremendously beautiful. Love the way you have composed them. Feel like I was right there with you. Thank you.

[Becky]

Absolutely beautiful pictures!

[Eva]

I enjoy your blog so much! Thanks for sharing!

Eva

[Magskn]

Oh my word! I have always wanted to go to Provence but after viewing your amazing photos I think it moved up my bucket list! Lovely, simply lovely! Thanks so much for sharing!

[Carine_07]

Lucy, you should be paid by the French tourist office :)
You have visited so many places in a so short period of time. Funny to "see" my country though your eyes.
Yes, those "trees" are cypresses http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cupressus_sempervirens
I think you could have one (a topiary one?) in a big pot on your back yard as it is always green but you have to water it in summer and to protect its roots in winter. A more resistant plant would be a common box or a bay laurel (useful for the cooking also ;))

[Inge]

what an amazing scenery!
Beautiful!

[Bonnie]

Just gorgeous! It must be beautiful when the lavender blooms. Have just read "Under the Tuscan sky" so it was lovely to see some landscape shots!

[Line]

You'll have to come back to see the blue lavender fields!