Provence Cote D’Azur – The Four Seasons
Posted in Uncategorized on February 3rd, 2011 by admin – 748 CommentsProvence
Secret Provence Cote d’Azur
You must be a lover like me of France and in particular the South East corner known as the French Riviera. If you are not but just curious, then I hope to give you information that will excite you enough to want visit for the first time or explore a bit deeper.
As you will know, Provence backs on to the Cote d’Azur and the Mediterranean Sea.
In 1975 I went on a business trip (in those days that was some trip by car) and I drove through France on my way to Italy to the wonderful town of Bergamo. I was a young man, I had a small business that was growing and I had treated myself to a brand new Triumph Stag Convertible. What a poser I must have looked like with the top down and steam coming from the radiator. The Triumph Stag was notorious for overheating and 1000 miles was just a bit too far for a brand new car.
Little did I know what pleasure I was in for on my way. I decided to ‘stop off’ at Nice and Cannes. Back in those days the traffic wasn’t as heavy as it is today and despite the overheating problems it was a pleasure to drive the 1000 miles or so from home to Nice. This was January and I was wrapped up in heavy coat. I was staggered to see on the beaches that in January people were swimming and sunbathing and the girls sunbathing with no top on. This was a revelation coming from England as you might imagine. I went to Italy and drove back via the Dolomites and found myself in 3 metres of snow. Truly an area of contrasts.
Since that time, I have been a regular visitor up until 2004 when I decide with much pride to buy a house in Provence. This really is a tremendous part of the world and with today’s air, road and sea links a very accessible place and I might say still a very safe place.
Why not come on a journey with me to discover the true delights and the wonders. We will take in the Cote d’Azur with its wonderful holiday destination of Nice, Cannes, St Tropez and more.
We will visit Provence including the VAR region, parts of the Verdon with its wonderful gorges and lakes. We will explore the cities and the small towns delving into the delights of food and wine.
If you are looking for an adventure holiday I will show you how to have the time of your life – it may be Wild Boar Hunting or Ballooning high into the warm air or perhaps relaxing in the sun painting.
I will tell you about property, how to rent how to buy and where to look. I will give you simply a lot of knowledge that took me years to accumulate. Visit the four seasons with its wonderful climate. Maybe you would like to spend Christmas in Provence – let’s have a look.
THE FOUR SEASONS OF PROVENCE
A General View of Provence Cote d’Azur
A TASTE OF HONEY
1. THE FOUR SEASONS OF PROVENCE
SPRING
If you prefer total peace and quietness and few people around…then you must visit Provence to experience the joys of spring.
Because of the relatively mild climate blossom appears early; mimosa blossom from the end of January; from early March the pink blossom of the almond trees can be seen in the gardens and from the end of April to June the wonderful magnolia. The weather can be very varied at this time of the year with cold nights and bright sunny days and some welcome rain. As I write this article, it is about 15 degrees centigrade average temperature but directly in the sun it is 25 degrees centigrade dropping to three to five degrees centigrade at night.
It could be that you and your friends or family like walking. In spring many fossils are washed out of the rocks on the hillsides, the air is wonderful and you feel alive. The Hinterland is an interesting and rewarding area for walkers but the Provençal coast is becoming more and more popular
Visit charming local sights
Visits to Marseille or Aix-en-Provence are to say the least good days out. Aix with its charming squares and fountains and lovely Baroque mansions. Paul Cezanne had his studio in the old town. You could visit Arles, a great Roman city and a favourite of Vincent Van Gogh. See its Roman amphitheatre and theatre along with the magnificent Romanesque Cathedral of St.Trophime. There is a Folk Arts Museum a fabric factory and even an olive mill to see how olive oil is produced.
If you would like to know more in my reports then I am sure you will enjoy the more detailed information.
For the more energetic
WHITE WATER RAFTING
(The Gorges of the Verdon)
CLASSIC EQYPTIAN ARABIANS WITH RACING AT CANNES & MARSEILLES
(Visit to a famous stud with Racing in style on the coast)
PAINTING IN PEACE
(Water Colour and Oil)
GOLF BY THE MEDITTERANEAN
(Golfers heaven)
OLD BONES & OLD STONES
(Visit Museums and famous art galleries)
ALTERNATIVE MEDICINE COURSE
(Aroma therapy and qualified massage specialists & more)
ROMANTIC TRIPS
(Monaco, Nice, Cannes, St Tropez)
SKIING AT ISOLA 2000 or GAP
(Both results offering excellent nearby Skiing)
LAVENDER EXPERIENCE
(Visit the Lavender fields and famous Grasse Perfumeries
THE TRUFFLE HUNT
(Visit a famous Truffle fete)
HOT AIR BALLOONING
(Perfect)
THE OLIVE MILL TOUR
(See how it’s done and more)
FOLLOW THE STARS
(Visit the latest sites where filming is taking place)
PETER MAYLE HERE WE COME
(For those who love him follow in his footsteps)
PICASSO & CEZANNE
(Visit the towns and Galleries)
The list is endless – the good thing is that you can choose your season and to a great degree you can choose your weather.
SUMMER
The picture above is taken at Lac St. Croix which is a man made lake which has story all of its own. In summer the water is warm and there are many activities. The lake is filled from the snow melt coming through the Gorges of the Verdon. The water is eventually turned into drinking water via a hydro electric dam.
Here is a letter which very nicely describes the atmosphere in summer
“Dear Mum and Dad…we really do wish you were here, the temperature is around 28 degrees and we have been swimming in our own pool today.
Did you know that Lavender is not only an essential oil and used in perfumes but also grown in gardens to ward off any stray mosquitoes? We learn something new every day about the area and it is so relaxing. I have been reading a “Year in Provence” by Peter Mayle, you remember don’t you, John Thaw was in the television series – it is true every word. It’s so easy to slip in to the French way of life.
Oh! By the way, did you know that it is the law here that bread has to be baked seven days a week? It really is a wonderful trip in the morning hunting out the breakfast in the charming village of Régusse.
We visited Grasse yesterday – the flower fields and the perfumeries. The whole area smells vibrant and heady with its different smells.
Dad, you have to see Monaco, it is beautiful and breathtaking. We went to the Casino but Jackie Stewart wasn’t there today, never mind perhaps next time.
We are driving back through Cap Ferrat; you will remember David Nivan won’t you?
Lots of the stars have places here. I believe Roger Moore still has a place outside of Grasse so where going back that way too. I hope we find it. Tonight we’re going to the local village to join in the entertainment; I believe tonight its Elvis!
Tomorrow we are going to the most famous place of all St Tropez. We could go by car but we are told that the best way to see the bay is to go from St. Maxime on the boat that leaves every 30 minutes it avoids the traffic and there are great views as we cross. St Tropez is the place to be seen, all the beautiful people hang out here and by the way apparently there is a nude beach…what about that? We are going to sit on the front and watch the artist paint, and soak up the sun. The private boats are spectacular and I am told very often you can see a celebrity or two.
PS. You must come with us next time, I think I will finish now and relax once again in the pool. They drink ice cold Rose here. See you soon”
Well I hope that put you in a relaxed mood trying to capture what it is like in this part of the world. Up to now an unspoilt part of the world.
WINTER
You may not have imagined yourself in the South of France for winter but we can assure you that the weather in this region is usually sunny by day with acceptable temperatures and cold at night. They have to have rain sometimes which seems to appear in October and November in the main.
At this time of year the flora and formal is changing with unusual colours. The roads are empty and the countryside is all yours.
The Mediterranean resort towns are peaceful and you are within driving distance of the mountain region for skiing. If you don’t feel like being energetic then just relax. Read a book or while away the day creating that painting that you always wanted to create and never got round to it.
FEATURED TOWN IN THIS ARTICLE
Régusse is situated in the Parc Natural Regional du Verdon. It is 9km from Aups a 10 minute drive. Aups has some wonderful restaurants and the town square has many summer events. If you don’t wish to join in you can relax at one of the restaurants or cafes.
The village has a number of small shops including a butcher, baker, small supermarket, hairdresser and gift shop, plus a library with Internet access. There is a small market on Sunday mornings with Wednesday and Saturday being the market days in the nearby town of Aups.
From November to March there is a truffle market on Thursday mornings in Aups. Régusse has two municipal swimming pools one being a children’s pool and there are tennis courts available to use.
Régusse has two restaurants and a snack bar in the main village. Within 5 minutes walk of the house there is a campsite that has two restaurants in the summer months. There are many activities at the campsite that are open to non-residents.
The area is set in natural terrain with woods for walking.
Régusse is a calm and peaceful village set in the middle of woods of green oak trees far from crowded roads. The templar Knights built a fortified castle here in the 12th century. There are many beautiful walks including exploring the ruins of the castle.
Throughout the year there are special events such as cultural exhibitions, classical musical concerts, antique fairs and even a Kite Festival, unique to the VAR
I do hope you liked reading this short article and I hope you will look out for more as we journey into Provence
Best wishes
Philip Young
This article is designed for those who like travel and enjoy sea, sun and countryside
[http://www.holidayprovence.com]
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Philip_Neil_Young
http://EzineArticles.com/?Provence-Cote-DAzur—The-Four-Seasons&id=2170550
