Around Provence

Provence covers an area about 300 kilometres by 150 kilometres, along the Mediterranean coast and inland along the Rhone River to the French Alps.  The Rhone River forms a delta at its mouth known as the Camargue.  The Camargue is a marshy wetland that is home to a variety of birds, including the flamingo.  Salt and rice are produced there, and Black bulls and white horses are raised.  The horses are used for herding and the bulls are raised for bullfights and also for their meat.  We saw hundreds of flamingos and there were yellow wild irises in bloom in many of the ditches and canals.  Luckily it was a bit early (and cool) for the mosquitos for which the Camargue is also renowned.

Flamingos

We saw many people in motor homes in Provence and there are lots of campgrounds.  The motorhomes are mainly small, since they have to navigate the winding roads and the narrow village streets.  VW Westfalia vans are common and there are many campers built on a van chassis similar to our Mercedes Sprinter.

Wild Irises

The spring flowers were in full bloom and we saw fields with thousands of red poppies all over Provence. Vineyards were beginning to leaf and many of the fruit trees were already finished blooming and were beginning to set fruit.  We were able to buy early cherries at a roadside stand near one orchard toward the end of our trip.

The grape vines beginning to leaf

Olive groves are common in Provence and many farmers who grow grapes for wine also have olive trees for oil.  The lavender was just beginning to grow and in a few places was starting to make flower heads.  We hope to return to see it in blossom some time.

View of vineyards and olive groves

We did a drive along the Ardeche Gorge on one of the cloudy and rainy days we had during our trip.

Ardeche Gorges

We also had some hot weather and hiked in the Dentelles de Montmirail on one of the hot days.

Dentelles de Montmirail

Kathy on the hike of the Dentelles

Evanna at the highest point on the trail

One of the most beautiful things in Provence is the rows of plane trees lining many of the small highways.  The trees are very old and very large.  They make a beautiful alley to drive through.

Plane trees through the car window

Vaison la Romaine, a medieval town, with irises and cypress trees which are common throughout Provence