Escape from the gloomy winter weather in the UK and enter a world of startling colour. If you visit Luberon, Provence during the winter months you will be pleasantly surprised to be surrounded by the lush shades of evergreen oaks, olives and cedar trees. You will also be met with stunning clear, blue skies and glorious sunshine to help you shake those winter blues.
Be warned, however, that the harsh, Mistral wind will most likely pierce your holiday bubble and allow reality to seep in. This could continue for up to 10 days and be at its full force during the night. You can escape the cold wind in the warmth of your luxury Gite in Luberon by just relaxing and whiling away the hours until it once again disappears.
Take advantage of the panoramic views which are completely clear without the leaves of trees blocking your vision. You will get to experience the scenery in a way that summer visitors just won’t be able to. Choose a Gite in Luberon that is perfect for you for a wonderful winter getaway.
Part of having the perfect holiday is choosing a place to stay. A luxury Provence villa is a fantastic option and there a huge range available to suit varying budgets as well as family sizes. You need to decide what sort of location you would like to be in, before you begin your search. You might want to stay somewhere secluded that is within easy reach of the nearest town or village, or perhaps you would like to be right in the centre of all the hustle and bustle. This is an important decision to make as it depends what type of a holiday in Provence you are looking for.
Would you like to have a swimming pool to make full use of at your Provence villa? You will be able to choose between a shared and a private pool. Don’t assume that all swimming pools are private! You could end up being disappointed. Most people like to have access to a balcony in their Provence villa. Whether you want to be surrounded by breathtaking scenery in the countryside, or sit and watch people go about their daily business, a balcony is a must-have.
Once you have booked your Provence villa, it’s time to begin investigating everything that the area has to offer…
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Do you want to explore Provence but at your own leisurely pace? Then cycling in Provence could be for you. Provence is a region of unquestionable beauty so it so no good travelling from place to place cooped up in a car. Get yourself on a bicycle and journey around, taking in all the breathtaking scenery and enjoy a truly unique holiday.
There is so much to explore; from spectacular landscapes to quaint hilltop villages, you simply will not get bored in Provence. Take advantage of the warm, Mediterranean climate which the South of France is renowned for, as well as breathing in the fragrant perfume of the vast lavender fields. There is a choice of different routes to choose from in accordance with your ability, so do not worry about finding a cycling holiday impossible or unbearable. You can experience cycling in a way that suits you. Cyclists are usually treated with respect by French drivers so cycling on the roads in Provence is a safe pursuit.
Now that you have your leisure activities sussed out, you need somewhere to rest those weary heads after all that exercise. Do not despair, as we have a selection of luxurious holiday rentals in Provence for you to choose from.
Provence has a rich cultural history, with many icons relating to art, literature and music, having connections to the area. One such icon is Paul Cézanne, a French artist and Post-impressionist painter who was born in Aix-en-Provence on 19th January 1839. He also passed away in the city on 22nd October 0906. He is widely viewed as the artist who brought together late 19th century Impressionism and Cubism, the early 20th century’s new line of artistic enquiry.
Cézanne studied at the college Bourbon for six years, between the years 1852 and 1859. During this time he met and befriended the French writer; Emile Zola. Zola based the character of Claude Lantier in his work; Rougon-Macquart on Cézanne.
It is documented that painted Mont Sainte Victoire over 60 times. This is an east-west mountain ridge which is situated near Aix-en-Provence has long been popular with many painters as it is a very distinctive feature of the area. Cézanne painted many other local areas in Provence, his most notable creation being that of a location half way between Aix-en-Provence and the small village of Le Tholonet.
Provence is a holiday must for all lovers of hiking. There is a vast array of choice when it comes to routes and trails, most notably those which are part of the “GR” system. GR stands for “chemin de grande randonnée” which translates as a long distance hiking trail. These paths are recognisable by red and white lines painted on to them.
The Luberon is a firm favourite walking location amongst avid hikers. You can discover a whole host of villages when following the numerous routes as they link villages to each other. Walk the way you want to by choosing with guided tours or choose your own route and go for it! Don’t think you will be left out if you have children with you as there are many which are accessible for even little legs. By walking around the countryside you can experience the true, natural beauty of Provence. One minute you could be walking through a beautiful little village and climbing a mountain the next. There is even a National Park surrounding the mountainous region so you can be assured that it is protected.
The best times to go hiking in the Luberon are during autumn, winter and spring. The summer months do get extremely hot so if you do choose to do so, try and go early in the morning or late in the afternoon. Don’t forget to take water! Choose from a range of luxury accommodation to relax in after a strenuous day of hiking.
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The resort town of Antibes is located between Cannes and Nice in the Côte d’Azur region of France. You can choose from 48 beaches which stretch along the 25km Mediterranean coastline and soak up the sun. Antibes also has its fair share of historical charm as there is plenty to explore in the vieille ville, or ‘old town.’ Take a look at the ramparts which run along the sea and the protective wall at the port.
Antibes is also known as Antibes-Juan-les-Pins, the name of which refers to the seaside resort which has a nightlife area, full of nightclubs and casinos. Antibes also has a lot to offer in terms of restaurants, shops; including tourist gift shops and authentic hardware and general stores. There are also a selection of museums to visit, namely the Picasso Museum, La Tour Museum and Absinthe Museum. Take your pick of parks and gardens – Exflora Park, Eilenroc Gardens, Thuret Park – in which to take a leisurely stroll. You can also enjoy music and plays at The Theatre Antibea, Theatre des Heures Bleues and Café Theatre La Scene sur Mer.
Antibes has so much to do you will never get bored. Complete your visit by staying in a luxury villa and relax by the pool when you are not out and about exploring everything Antibes, Côte d’Azur has to offer.
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For anyone visiting the South of France between November and March, get a taste of French tradition by visiting the annual Truffle Market in Richerenches, Provence. The village of Richerenches lies in Drômes, north western Provence and attracts a flurry of visitors to this famous event each year, which has been celebrated for the past 50 years.
The market runs every Saturday during these months. Walking down the main market street you will probably wonder what all the fuss is about as there will generally only be a handful of stalls selling truffles. However, if you venture into one of the smaller side streets you will be met with much more activity with truffle sellers trading from the backs of their vans and cars. Small groups of buyers will be negotiating prices to get the best deals for their restaurants and other businesses.
On the third Sunday of January – the Sunday of Saint Antoine – a Truffle Mass takes place. This begins with a procession of the Brotherhood of the Knights of the Black Diamond. They will be wearing black tunics, black hats and yellow ribbon round their necks with a medallion. At the end of the mass a collection is made, but instead of cash, it is by a truffle auction. It really is a must see event for visitors to Provence.
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The city of Avignon in Provence is a wonderful place to stay if you want a holiday destination with lots to see and do. Avignon is located on the left bank of the river Rhône and has a Mediterranean climate of hot, dry summers and mild, damp winters. Avignon is associated with having windy weather. In fact, its name comes from the word “Avenio” which means “town of violent winds” or “town of the river.”
Avignon is steeped in history which can be taken in simply by walking around the old and narrow streets within the fortified walls of the city. If shopping is your thing then hit the shops in the Southeast of the Place de l’Horioge. Take your pick of the fantastic shops along rue des Marchands, rue Rouge and other nearby streets. You don’t even have to watch out for vehicles as the shopping area is pedestrianised. For the more energetic amongst is, other pursuits to be enjoyed include cycling, swimming and hiking. When you feel hungry you can choose from
For the more cultured visitors there are plenty of museums to visit and each year there is the Festival d’Avignon, which celebrates the art of dance, music and theatre. This festival was founded by Jean Vilar in 1947 and continues to attract many visitors each year.
Avignon, Provence is a great location for sightseeing and exploring, with something to please everyone.
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Provence is famous for its exquisite wines. The region boasts 3000 hours of sunshine and 700mm of rainfall every year which results in thick skinned grapes which contain a taste sensation. This is the reason why Provence has over 25 grapes, the highest number permitted in France, in the final product.
The beauty of Provence wine is the vast array of different flavours and aromas which are available. This is down to the slight variations in climate throughout the region. Although Provence generally has a warm climate, coastal areas generally have mild winters followed by warm summers and places which are further inland experience very cold winters and exceedingly hot temperatures during the months of July and August.
White wines make up 10% of the output of Provence Wines. Wines produced from grapes grown in the coastal areas can be recognised by tasting somewhat tender whereas wine from the hills can be rather aggressive. Rose wines can differ greatly in taste, aroma and colour and contribute to a high proportion of output, at 60%. Provence is often not associated with red wines at all or it is considered to be mediocre to what is produced in other countries such as Italy. However, Provence red wines can prove to be very light and refreshing and excellent accompaniment to grilled meats, particularly lamb and also with rich, saucy dishes.
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One of the many wonderful things about Provence is that it plays host to an array of different landscapes for such a relatively small area. The Garrique is a type of scrubland which is home to wild herbs such as thyme, rosemary and sage as well as lavender. In the summer there you see hundreds of fields completely covered in lavender. This is used to produce perfumes, soaps and bags of dried flowers that are popular items found on market stalls around Provence. The tradition of using the essence of lavender goes right back to when Roman housekeepers used lavender to make the linen smell fresh, as well as using it to fragrance the house and bath water. In the Caramarque you can find marshes where rice is growing and wild bulls roam.
In stark contrast there is Mont Ventoux which adds a white rocky texture to the surrounding landscape. Provence even has its own small scale Arizona in the form of the red Estérel hills. In the subsequent valleys you will find an assortment of vines, fruit and olive trees. There are also areas of Mediterranean oak and pine trees.
Provence offers so many dramatic landscapes that by the end of your visit you can feel like you have had several holidays in one.
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