C'est l'heure de l'apéro: Santé!

 

In France, just before noon or in the evening just before you sit down to eat, it's 'apéritif' time - a sacred ritual, a way of life.

 

 

 

Apéritif is a special moment combining drinks, snacks before the meal, a good time with friends chatting and relaxing. It's a moment of conviviability and ode to local specialities.

 

 

No apéritif is like another - hosts use their imagination.

 

 

 

I'll shut my eyes, remember my last summer's apéritifs in Provence: sun, friends, a sip of pastis, tapenade, a slice of saucisson, long discussions, laughter ... a moment of pure happiness ..

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Santé!

The best view ever...

The best view of our village

also the best view ever you could have from a living room

Isn't it?

Just love the stone and tiles. Tiles actually same as in the Metro of Paris! 

I would do anything to be there right now ..

Summer 2013 - waters

A few souvernir pictures of this summer water :)

 

 

Water is just great when you can swim in it not when it is pouring down like today !
-c-

 

Côte d'Azur - Auctions

 





Abrivado and Bandido in Bouillargues

The festivities in Bouillargues last for a few days (from Thursday till Monday if I remember right) and we got to see the bulls for a couple of time during our stay.
On Monday, 40 bulls were let in the village's streets! I was not there but I have been promised a few pictures and when I get them I will make an exception to the rule and load a few here.

Abrivado: the bulls charge through the village to the arena.
Bandido: the return of the bulls from the arena to the paty (grazing grounds).

 

 

 

Similar festivities start in April till November all around the region. The Camargue area is plenty of traditions and I have not seen half of it. I will need to get back there again and again :)
-c-

Provencal mass and Roussataïo in Bouillargues

Bouillargues and its august festivities = friends, apéritifs, lunch & dinner, horses and bulls - I love it!

 

 

 

Provencal mass

 

Roussataïo (old tradition consisting of herding mares and foals to new grazing grounds) celebrated with camargue horses herded through Bouillargues streets by gardians in traditional dress (mounted cattle hersdmen in the Camargue delta in Provence).

Côte d'Azur - Eze Bord de Mer

Once again, it was great to laze around in Eze Bord de Mer.

 



 

 

Beautiful pebbles beach, the water was chrystal clear and youth enjoyed the paddle board even though they would have loved to try the fly board!

 

 

Thanks to Coco we just had a great time! Merci :)

 

Côte d'Azur - Amazing colors

 

The Côte d'Azur - an astonishing rainbow of marvellous colors.

 

Alès - at the foot of the Cévennes

In a region with warm weather, the Mediterranean blue sky and a singing accent, in a beautiful scenery where olive and chestnut trees coexist with vineyards, between garrigues and mountains, you can find the city of Alés. An ideal entry door to go to the discovery of the secret Cévennes mountains.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

garrigues: open shrubby vegetation of dry Mediterranean regions, consisting of spiny or aromatic dwarf shrubs interspersed with colourful ephemeral species.

Ardèche Gorges - The Grand Canyon of Europe

 

 

Around 60km north from Alés, the Ardèche Gorges sit at the base of the Massif Central, below the Cévennes Mountains.

Spectacular limetstone cliffs tower the river meadering below.

 

 

Extraordinary natural beauty

 

 

 

Enjoy canyoning down the river over a distance of your choice. The best location to appreciate the magnificent scenery, spectular views - A great experience!

Don't forget plenty water and sun cream and if you decide to go on a longer distance bring along lunch and snacks.

We did yesterday and it was just a great day !

Anduze - gateway to the Cévennes

Not far from Alès, Anduze is a medieval city with stunning cliffs of rock formations.

 

Fabulous views, charm anc character.

At the end of the 13th century, Anduze was the main center in the area for the silk industry. In th 16th and 17th century, it was the center of Protestantism in the Cévennes.


The fountain pagoda, a curious fountain of oriental style, was built in 1648 by a local silk grower who had traveled to China to bring back silk worms.

 



Anduze is also well known for its large garden pots with a distinctive pattern and shape.

In the summer, the town is overwhelmed with tourists. I find it at its best off season.