Events and activities in Provence

Renaissance of a Rose CENTIFOLIA : La Baptistine - PERFUME from times past and rose of these days

#rose #perfume #flower #centifolia #luberon #grasse #vaucluse

Il était une fois… Once upon a time, a full-bodied May rose, which exhaled a facetted bouquet from which one could extract the perfume, a rarity in the world of fragrant roses. The tanners and gloves installed in Grasse since the Middle Ages for the quality and abundance of spring waters, master distillation and extraction of plant juices from the seventeenth century. They chose her for the perfume she sets beautifully on leathers and skins.

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Spelt - ancient cereal

Spelt is an ancient cereal whose earliest traces date back more than 9,000 years. Spelt flour formed the basis of the diet of Latin populations; in fact, the French word farine (flour) derives from the Latin word for spelt, far.

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Provence, land of stone

Stone, stones, are dominant elements in Provence, truly inscribed in a landscape that is more mineral than vegetal. Thus, man's relationship with stone has long been part of what the geographer Roger Livet called "the call of the rock". The symbol is powerful and simple. Clinging to the slope, the Provençal village is anchored in the mother rock. Thus turned towards the sun, protected from the mistral wind, free from the icy or suffocating air of the valley, it watches who comes from afar and shows itself to the landscape. Here, stone is everywhere. It is sufficiently rich or charged with meaning that there is much to learn from it.

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Recipe - Traditional Macarons with Almonds from Provence

In Provence, there is a version of the macaron that bears no resemblance to the sophistication of Paris or its artfully crafted colors. Here, the macaron is older, more authentic, almost rustic in appearance, yet infinitely delicate on the palate. Its surface is slightly cracked, its center...

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Marc CHAGALL in Gordes

#Chagall #painting #art #Gordes #Luberon

Of Jewish origin, Marc Chagall and his family tried to escape Nazism by seeking refuge in Gordes, where his friend, the painter André Lhote, was living. In 1940, Chagall lived in the « quartier fontaine basse » area of Gordes, in a seventeenth century house attached to a mill. He painted very little during this terrible era. 

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The Angladon Museum - Jacques Doucet Collection - The art collection of the pioneer of haute couture

The Angladon Museum - Jacques Doucet Collection is one of the most attractive museums in Avignon. Located in the heart of the city, it occupies a beautiful eighteenth century building, designed as a house museum, respecting the testamentary wishes of its founders, Jean Angladon (1906-1979) and Paulette Martin (1905-1988). It opened to the public on November 15, 1996. It owes its name to its founders.

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Honey, the new liquid gold—yet its history dates back thousands of years

Honey is a sweet and delicious product made by bees from flower nectar. It is widely used as a natural sweetener in foods and beverages, and it is also valued for its medicinal properties. Honey is rich in antioxidants, vitamins, and minerals, making it a healthy choice for sweetening your dishes. It can be used in many recipes, from hot drinks to desserts. Additionally, honey has antibacterial and anti-inflammatory properties, making it a popular natural remedy! However, it’s important to note that honey is also high in calories, so it’s best to consume it in moderation if you need to watch your calorie intake!

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The almond tree, or the white promise of February

#almond #tree # #luberon #provence #vaucluse #gordes #gastronomy #cultivation

It is six o'clock in the morning in the Luberon hills. The air is still crisp, almost sharp, and the light hesitates between blue and gold. In a field bordered by terraces, a man walks slowly between the rows of almond trees. He stops in front of one of them, looks up at the bare branches already...

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Provençal recipe: Sault einkorn wheat risotto with black truffles, Banon cheese with Capeou olive oil

#recipe #cheese #truffle #risotto #Banon #Luberon #Vaucluse #Provence

Ingredients for 6 people:250 g of Petit Épeautre de Sault (einkorn wheat)1 onion40 g black truffle (Melanosporum)2 fresh Banon cheeses2 tablespoons lavender honey50 g toasted pine nuts, crushed in a mortar1/3 yogurt cup of Capeou olive oilFresh butter50 g Parmesan cheeseSalt and ...

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Are dry-stone walls doomed to ruin?

#dry-stone #wall #borie #luberon #vaucluse #gordes

As for the dry-stone structures are concerned, they are so numerous in our landscapes but also so fragile as they are no longer used in their permanent agricultural or pastoral activity. Without regular maintenance, they are doomed to ruin, unless their owners become aware of the need to protect their heritage. Collective protection or maintenance measures can only concern a sample of these architectures, preserved and presented for the purpose of knowledge and awareness. In order to maintain them, we will need as much imagination as the dry stone builders had to implement them in order to make them an art recognised by UNESCO as an intangible cultural heritage for all.

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Aperitifs, pastis, and pétanque—a true institution in Provence!

For most of us, Provence instantly evokes a range of images and sensations: bright sunshine, soothing warmth, fields of blooming lavender, the enchanting song of cicadas, and an atmosphere steeped in serenity. But the region wouldn’t be complete without the ever-present game of pétanque and the convivial pleasures of the aperitif! Under the golden rays of the sun, the lively terraces and pétanque tournaments become a true invitation to savor a timeless moment, accompanied by delicately anise-flavored refreshments.

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Madder, the red gold of Vaucluse

In the Vaucluse, madder and dye plants once shaped the local economy. Used to produce natural pigments, they reflect ancestral know-how. Now rediscovered, they embody an authentic Provence where color comes from nature and tradition.

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