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Postcards from Provence

 

Provence is the stuff that dreams are made of. Lavender, sunflowers, and vineyards fill the countryside. Ancient villages cling to the sides of hills, inviting visitors to explore medieval buildings. Local markets overflow with produce and spices so lovely and fresh that your mouth waters just looking at them. Everywhere, people seem to be enjoying the good life in the south of France. We fell in love with all the sights, flavors, and history of this divine place, and these photos will show you why.

Provence in Photos

Stone building in a lavender field

In summer, the field at Abbaye de Senanque is ablaze with purple lavender

Fountain in a courtyard surrounded by buildings in Aix-en-Provence France

Squares from the 18th century (and older) abound in Aix-en-Provence

Building covered in ivy and wisteria

Buildings in the little towns drip with wisteria

Beach in between the rocky calanques of Cassis

Cruising the calanques is one of the best things to do in Cassis

Baskets of multi-colored peppercorns

Food markets teem with everything you need for a delicious meal

Read: An Embarrassment of Riches — Provence Market Days

Arches of an ancient arena

Built around 70 AD, the Arena of Nimes still hosts bullfights and other events

Ruins of the columns of a Roman temple at Glanum

Roman ruins are everywhere

Vineyard on the Cotes du Rhone in France

Vineyards line the hillsides throughout the Cotes du Rhone

Red, yellow, and umber cliff full of ochre deposits

The village of Roussillon sits on a deposit of ochre

Stone buildings on a mountainside descending to a valley in Gordes

It doesn’t get much prettier than Gordes

Colorful window with potted plants in Gigondas, France

The village of Gigondas is charming around every corner

Cherry blossom tree in front of white building, the Palace of the Popes

Something new accents something old

See: France’s Palace of the Popes

Statue at the bottom of a staircase in a park filled with trees and plants

Jardins de la Fontaine in Nimes is a free, public park modeled after Versailles

Empty street lined with buildings with colorful shutters and doors

The streets of Arles are great places to get lost

Boats docked in the harbor of Cassis in front of waterfront restaurants

The colors and ocean air are mesmerizing in the seaside town of Cassis

Statue of a girl in a window in Gordes. France

There’s a little sense of humor, too

Pont du Gard, a large ancient aqueduct

The Pont du Gard still stands after 2000 years

Wooden garage door painted with a scene of Roman ruins

Not all the works of art are old

Church bells and tiled roof  overlooking a hilly landscape

And the views look like this

Have you visited Provence? What was your favorite thing to see there?

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Rose

Wednesday 2nd of August 2017

Your travel blog is so informative! I feel like you've actually taken me to Europe. May I ask where the lady photo in this page was taken?

Thank you!

~Rose

Laura Longwell

Wednesday 2nd of August 2017

Glad you like it, Rose. Sorry, but I'm not sure what photo you're referring to.

rebecca

Sunday 25th of October 2015

These are such beautiful photos

Naomi

Monday 13th of February 2017

Hello, this site and its photos bring back such good memories. My husband and I travelled through from Paris to Marseille in 2015 and had such a great time. I even recognise the photo where the painting is on the garage door, that is from Rousillion, quite thrilling to recognise something that you yourself have a photo of. Laura, I am not sure where you are from, would love to know, but we are from australia and it is a big effort and expense to go OS. Not to mention I have a terrible fear of flying, but we want to see these paces so much it hasnt stopped us yet. Looking forward to reading more from you, happy travels. Naomi

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