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Newsletter

July 17, 2008

Premiere Issue

The Charm of Provence

In This Issue

Ask the French where they would live given the choice and Provence is the resounding answer. And who can blame them? Idyllically located in the southeast corner of France with the deep blue waters of the Mediterranean to the south, it is a stunning landscape of hilltops dotted with stone bastides, breathless mountain views that drop to the sea and villages perched perilously close to the edge.

The Region of Provence

Where the “In the Know” Go

Provençal Pastimes

Pique-Niques & Apéritifs

With a population of roughly 4,500,000 fortunate residents, Provence encompasses six distinct departments each with its own particular ambience; the Riviera and the Alpes Maritime, the Var, Bouches-du-Rhône, the Vaucluse, Alpes-de-Haute and Haute Alpes. With staggering views from the Grand Corniche, the lavender routes of the Luberon, and some of the loveliest roads imaginable that simply beg for touring, there is much to see and do. Despite the formidable winds known as the mistral that can blow through at speeds of up to ninety kilometers an hour, the area also boasts the mildest climate in France--hot, mostly dry summers and warm, mild winters near the coast with some areas claiming almost 300 gloriously sunny days a year.

The Cote d’Azur coastline is famously referred to as the Riviera as it stretches closer to the neighboring Italian border. The name alone invokes images of the tres chic, Bondishly sexy and seriously rich. This much-touted strip of sandy beaches with its glittering allure, has crowned the French Riviera as the hot spot of royalty, jetsetters, globetrotters, artists, writers, movie stars and millionaires. While trendy destinations like St. Tropez have become victims of their own charms clogged with traffic and overrun by glamour-seeking tourists, the spell of this magical region remains forever cast. Make no mistake--old money, pedigree and class still rule. But for all its worldliness, Provence remains essentially rural retaining its old world charm and traditions.

Provence has long been a haven for writers and artists inspired by the light and beauty of this spectacular region. In addition to its native son, the painter Cezanne who was born in the charming town of Aix-en-Provence, it is not surprising how many other 19^th and 20^th century painters also spent time here including Chagall, Monet, Renoir, Dufy and Signac. And of course, Bonnard, Matisse and Picasso chose to settle in Provence. Writers have waxed poetic and penned about the glory that is Provence. In recent years, the British author and expatriate Peter Mayle, once again focused attention to this famed area through his series of books about life in the Luberon.

Provence is a region ripe with culture, variety and something for everyone. Traditions are important and local crafts are respected occupations. Its rich variety of produce--olive oil, wine, fruit, flowers and perfume combined with its production of time honored crafts makes for wonderful shopping--pottery santons from Marseille, traditional indienne fabric, bubbly glassware from Biot, fragrant blocks of savon de Marseille, lavender and its honey, jars of olives, and bags of herbes de Provence. Whether your idea of getting away from it all means a mas set in the midst of lavender fields or a swanky hotel amongst the glitterati of the Riviera, the charms of Provence will seduce you.

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