12.11.08
A Day In Provence
“Live each season as it passes; breathe the air, drink the drink, taste the fruit…” Henry David Thoreau
Such is a summer day well spent in Provence. Though Provence should not be missed at any opportunity, I was delighted to have finally timed my visit perfectly with the arrival of lavender season.
With the high-speed TGV train, one can make it from Paris to Avignon in about 2 ½ hours. What a change of scenery and lifestyle, from the city life of Paris to the slower-paced culture of Provence!
One of our favorite hotels, Hotel d’Europe, offers excursions with a wonderful driver/hostess to explore the surrounding regions of Provence. Our first trip to the lavender fields was in the care of Mika, who made sure we did not miss the Abbey of Sénanque or any of the best sites for viewing the French flowers.
The fields were alive with bunches of lavender all blending together like a carpet of color with the French countryside as its backdrop. The rich smell was indescribable! With the warm sun of Provence and the air filled with lavender, the experience was one I will always remember. Today, just the faint smell of real lavender conjures up a world of happy thoughts!