Mas des Figues

Provence Blue--A Tradition

by VeronicaG

As we roamed about town, we discovered that many, many structures had the traditional white coat of paint and/or Provence blue shutters.

That lovely blue shade is one that has remained fashionable for years and years and seems a standard in St. Remy, adding a very attractive touch. Some say its the same color of the sky overhead, but its a color widely adopted in France and has been for centuries.

Rounding a corner to see yet another home in these traditional colors added a challenge to our visit--finding a home that didn't sport these typically country French hues.

A Year in Provence?

by SFHulaGIrl

"Provence"

"I recall innumerable drives I have made, by ancient crumbling roadside walls, past hillsides of purple and green, on tiny winding cobbled roads that lead into sun-baked town squares bordered by the herb-seller and the fromagerie, the boulangerie, and the patisserie. At the last you stop to buy bread and it is always brown and crusty and when you break it in half the smell of the earth fills your nostrils."

-- Don George,
"My Private Riviera"

"Saint-Remy-de-Provence"

The Gallo-Roman city of Saint-Remy-de-Provence is located 20 km south of Avignon, at the foot of the Alpilles mountains. It is built on one of the oldest archaeological sites in Europe. This chaming village, with a population of approximately 9340, is filled with fantastic fountains and shady squares. Nostradamus was born here, and Vincent van Gogh painted "Starry Night" and "Self Portrait" while confined to the Asylum of Saint-Paul here. More information can be found at www.saintremy-de-provence.com

"Could This Be It?"

Have you read the books by Peter Mayle, one of them being "A Year in Provence"? More importantly, have you seen the videos of "A Year in Provence?" I swear this could be the town in the videos; I don't believe it's the town he mentions in his books (then again, I read them so long ago), but the videos must have been filmed here - at least, partially.