Trail of Provence - most charming city in south of France
2023-05-16
In footsteps of Provence - most romantic town in south of France
I studied in north of France for two years, and weather was often overcast and rainy. After holidays, if you want to feel warmth of sun and elegance of a small town in south of France, you come to long-awaited Provence. I wanted to travel alone, but when I was strategizing, I found that public transportation between Nanfa cities is inconvenient and I need to travel by car. After weighing, I chose easiest and easiest way, so I decided to travel in a local group.
There is nothing better than traveling with friends when weather is good and scenery is beautiful. Over past two days, I was at right time and in right place, and I went on a pleasant trip to Provence with French company Oufa Travel (www.oufa-travel.com)
Stone City (Gord)
Leaving Avignon, you can enjoy French pastoral landscapes along way. Suddenly, peak unfolded and another strange scene appeared in front of me. The stone city, built on a mountain, stands like a garden in sky. On one side of cliff, city is quiet, serene and full of secrets. The stone city, also known as "City of sky", contrasts sharply with endless fields under mountain, which is beautiful and dreamy. Buildings are built according to situation, vertical and layered, swirling and connecting, majestic and beautiful, all stone buildings are hidden in green mountains and blue sky, giving people illusion that they are in another world.
The history of this small town dates back to Gaul period. As one of most beautiful small towns in France, each house in town inherits its own unique quirky temperament and traditional folk customs. This makes people want to know why they put their house on top of mountain and not on plain, and guess how they insisted on their original love for this land.
Looking into city, every brick and tile, every stone and gravel tells story and legend of this medieval ancient city. In a small town built around mountains, you can see elegant cafes and small restaurants everywhere. Walking along cobbled country road, unexpected surprises await you at every turn. The unique shops and shops are full of crafts characteristic of city, lively and cute.
Dying under warm sun, ancient city radiates its unique light, continuing its beautiful myth and legend of immortality.
Roussillon
The city of Juntu attracts attention with its brightest colors and magnificent posture. The land and houses are harmoniously painted in a dazzling red, which makes a strong visual impression and impresses. . I am very curious what kind of magical shape of earth is product that makes this ancient city so special in Provence.
Walking around city, you will find that city of Juntu is not only filled with warm red, some of walls of houses are painted bright orange, warm light yellow or warm pink. Decorated with mint green, cream blue or cream white doors and windows, interlacing green vines, dark green pines and cypresses around house, bright and colorful flowers and plants on side of road, against blue sky and white clouds, like a beautiful picture .It is also like exquisite toys that angels randomly scattered around world.
According to locals, area's historical landscapes date back to late 18th century: it was discovered that red loess, readily available in Roussillon, could be processed into a highly saturated pigment, ocher. The craftsmanship was very popular and was once loved by famous masters such as Van Gogh and Gauguin and once became a famous ocher producing area.
Besides, it is also a place where red wines of Provence are rich. There are many wineries around city, and there are also liquor stores full of wines in city.
The city of Juntu also has exquisitely furnished small shops, each with its own characteristics. If you search carefully, you will find that very few small shops sell various natural pigments made using ancient techniques. Walking and stopping on streets of town, breathing in heady atmosphere of Provence, under summer sun, I really hope that days can be so leisurely and comfortable forever.
Lavender Museum
From Juntu City to Lavender Museum, passing through many large lavender flower fields, lavender at this time is slightly purple and ready to bloom, indicating that flowering period is approaching. Before you can enjoy full bloom of lavender, it's time to take this opportunity to learn secret behind this magical purple flower.
Nestled in mountains of Vaucluse in Provence, Lavender Museum was founded by Lancel family, a true producer of lavender essential oil, passed down from generation to generation, to preserve and continue extraction process of most natural and pure lavender essential oil. Today in museum, you can learn about growth, growth process, and environment of lavender, see complete process of extracting lavender essential oil, see many collections of lavender distillation tools, and buy classic crafts kept in museum. pure natural lavender products, essential oils, soaps, sachets, perfumes, skin care products, etc., retain natural healing value of lavender for thousands of years, and combine fresh and natural scent of lavender. As most magical and ancient plant on this planet, lavender constantly reveals its fragrance with its unique value and beautiful posture.
After a half-day trip to Provence, I felt unique charm of this land. I lamented that Provence deserved to be a source of artistic inspiration, but at same time I was able to truly appreciate style and style in A Year in Provence. On way, I chatted with might and main with talkative driver, from his lips I learned more about local customs. It was a truly unforgettable trip.
When lavender blooms, expect a sea of purple flowers in near future.
Travel strategy followed by 99% of people, follow Mafengwo on WeChat: mafengwo2006