Provence :: four villages

Village 1 :: the ancient perched hilltop village of Les Baux de Provence

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Village 2 :: the medieval hilltop village of of Vaison la Romaine

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Village 3 :: the quiet, sleepy village of Monieux

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Village 4 :: the beautiful, serene village of Ville Sur Auzon

Four Provençal villages.

The first two were pretty much given over to tourists, yet they were bustling with visitors taking in the history and enjoying the ambiance.

The second two were much more "real" and lived in, yet unbelievably quiet with near deserted streets.

We weren't in these villages to do anything in particular, it was all about just Being There and soaking up the atmosphere. That was one of the lovely things about the way Provence Temptations had designed the tour, it was just so relaxed and enabled us to simply enjoy. I felt like I was made of sponge, like I wanted to soak up every scrap of what I was seeing and feeling.....

.....the warmth of the sun, the intensity of the light, the most beautiful sun-faded colours on walls, doors and shutters, the abundance of flowers, the crumbling stone, the winding cobbled streets, the steps here there and everywhere, the old olive and plane trees rising up through pavements, the unexpected views, the rustic simplicity. All of this and so much more.

It's hard to describe how lovely it was simply to wander slowly around these small villages. We walked and walked and walked and there was such beauty and charm around every corner. I enjoyed it enormously, it made my heart swell ♥

Tomorrow, I'm taking you to one more place, my favourite of the whole trip. See you then....

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Comments

[Ruthie]

So, so beautiful. Your photos are amazing.

[Geraldine McMaster]

Oh my! With each subsequent photo I got more and more excited. I am taking copious notes in anticipation of my trip to Provence next May. Thank you for sharing.

[Donna]

Thank you Lucy for the magnificent pictures. These are places that I from the States will never get to see except for you and your lovely heart for sharing. It is a blessing to see them and know that the rest will be even more magnificent than these. Thank You again dear lady.

[penny]

Like pages out of a story book....so so lovely.
penny x

[Angie]

Argh so beautiful ! Thank you for allowing us to enjoy your fantastic experience.

[Pamela]

Thank you, I am an old girl recovering from a long and difficult illness and checked out your blog this morning. Magnificent pictures, a joy to my heart that has made this day much better from the start. Thank you so much for sharing and spreading the joy.

[Shirley Flavell]

OH my, such a superb journey Lucy, thank you. I think I held my breath thru looking at all the beauty and wonderful photo taking.I can only dream about seeing such wondrous places. Shirley

[carla from Spain]

What a chance to visit Provence without being there...thank you!!!
Mais, a quand les travaux? I'm so excited to see all you hooked there...
See you tomorrow.
Carlafromspain

[dana craft]

dear lucy, your drop-dead-gorgeous pics remind me on a *beautiful* place called ramatuelle... on top of a hill, sturdy walls, pitturesque roads between the walls, my first orange blossoms i smelt there...
thank you for bringing *some* holiday-feeling to me ☺
love, dana

[Angélique]

Ces villages sont vraiment proches de là où j'habitais dans le Var. Ca fait du bien de revoir cet atmosphère de village ;-) merci pour le partage bonne soirée

[Thistle]

So gorgeous. I have always wanted to visit there and now even more so! Thank you for sharing your experience with us. In many of the pictures, I was reminded of your own back garden, with the little flower boxes and old stone walls and bright bits of color in the flowers. I especially love your shot of the clothesline in the trees. I really wanted to sit there with my yarn and hook!

[Marilyn]

Simply stunning! Thank you so much

[JoZarty]

It just gets better, beautiful atmospheric photos and I am going to be so sad when you've posted the last ones.
Thanks again
JoZarty x

[Kate]

Oh my stars...

[Izzy]

I remember those villages from the movie A Year In Provence by Peter Mayle. I loved the series, looks as beautiful as your pics. One of the awesome things about the Mayle's was how they were Britishers who just retired up and moved into this old French farmhouse. Fixed it up and loved living there. Lucy have you and hubby thought of this ? Up and moving? You seem very happy there. By the way I made "builders' tea" It was awesome, although I had been drinking tea since I was a child . Just not that strong.

[Andrea]

Thank you Lucy, that was a wonderful trip down memory lane. It helps me focus even more on planning for a trip back to Europe from Australia.
You are a daily inspiration :-)
Andrea -Perth.

[marlene rodrigues]

Love your pictures!!!
It´s everything so beautiful!
thanks for sharing.
Regards,
Marlene

[Lisa G.]

Wow! So picturesque. And I noticed how many shutters and doors were painted French Blue - guess that's why the name. ;)

[Sharon Braxton]

These photos take my breath away. What lovely little villages. The quietness seeps from the photos and I can almost feel the serenity. Thank you so much for sharing your trip.

Hugs,
Sharon

[Bari Jo]

I tell you, these posts of yours make for the best afternoon cup of tea! :O) Thank you for sharing!

[Mumofsix]

Loved these photos. That blue of the doors and shutters is my absolute favourite. X

[Line]

Beautiful photos! Thank you.

[dana]

I am loving your little tour!! Wonderful pics, and I am sitting here in my utterly windowless office enjoying them!

[Rosie - Australia]

Lucy- thank you for all the pictures etc which I love. But I have a question - these villages seem almost deserted -buildings with the windows shuttered and no young Mums or children. Are they mostly old people in these villages (especially the last two) and have the younger people mostly deserted to the cities?

[Ethel warren]

So peaceful, and beautiful. Thanks so much Lucy. Can't wait till the morning to get up to read your blog!!!!! Love Love