May in Provence

Warmer and longer days when we are able to start dining outside....
The scenery is still green and coloured with all the blooming flowers.

However you need to know that May can be busier than June for the fact of the French bank holidays week end.

However, in 2016, 2 BH are what we call "business owner Bank Holidays" as May 1st and May 8th fall on a Sunday...
Thursday May 5th 2016 will be "Ascension" (celebrating the elevation of Jesus 40 days after his death)

And Monday May 16th will be "Pentecôte" (celebrating the arrival of the holy spirit 50 days after Easter Sunday).

Those 2 Bank Holidays are huge and busy in Saint Remy.
Pentecôte being the busiest and def worth a visit to experience the "Transhumance". The tradition wants that our sheeps are walked to the alps on that day (for the fact that the dry season is arriving and grass will be scarce to feed the cattle).
Over 3 000 sheeps are gathered in St Remy and participate in a procession 3 times around our circle.
A market also celebrates our sheeps and goats. Some locals are dressed as in the old time and the atmosphere is quiet festive.



The Transhumance in St Remy 2015
 

 

 

May Scenery in Provence

Poppies field near Menerbes

Lavender in May in the Luberon

Cherries in Provence inMay

The quaint village of Roussillon

Olive tree blossoming

April in Provence

April is probably my favorite month of the year: "rebirth"....

Our Almond tree starts blosoming in Februray, followed byt our numerous apple and pear trees in March.

And then, in April, it is the explosion !!!
Our plane tree are bright green and it's flowers everywhere. Plus the grass is green!!!


- All shops and hotel reopen
- Everybody is looking forward to the new season, not tired and looking for cashflow so it's smiling time
- Yet the region is not too busy and you can stroll the street and the countryside in a quiet environment.
- However avoid Easter week end when it gets far busier.

Temperature wise expect anything from mid 60s to high 70s.

So did you make up your mind yet ?

Bellow some pictures I took while touring in April 2015.

Saint Paul de Mausole in April

Lilac as Van Gogh would have painted it in April 1890

Wisteria in a rental villa in Saint Remy

Pink Lilac in my garden

Olive tree flower arriving...

Lunching outside

Chateauneuf du Pape in April 2015

Light trhough the Castle of Chateauneuf du Pape

Chateauneuf du Pape vineyard in the spring

Avignon from Villeneuve les Avignon

The quaint and quiet village of Seguret

Uzes in April

Les Baux de Provence

Les Baux

Fun in Provence

The season was so busy that I had no chance to post anything and I do apologise.

Now I have a bit more of free time I will start posting again and wanted to share with you some of my 2015 moments with the many fun group France Travel Off The Beaten Path....

The perfect mix in a relaxing and fun atmosphere. Culture & History, walks,Great Food in our choosen restaurants, wide selection of local wines, local markets, cooking class, discovery of quaint villages, good company and so much more.....

Aperitif under the Provence Pine Trees

Love Boat, off to the Cassis Calanques.

Walking in the Alpilles (see the back ground..)

Cheese lesson...

Picnic in Provence

Festivity along our way

In the Provence Lavender early July

Buying melon for our picnic

Happy Birthday celebration in Provence

Pastis tasting

Fireworks of the Saint Remy festive week in September

Tchin tchin in Provence

Harvest time in Provence

Olive harvest time "October in Provence"

Cooking class (and fun !!!) in Provence

Saint Paul de Mausolée, Hospital where Van Gogh spent his year in Saint Remy

When you're in Provence with a glass of Rosé...

 Helping with postal parcels

Enjoying the sea view in one of my favourite restaurant

And of course some cultural visit

All that happening thanks to France Off The Beaten Path