It’s always tempting when I arrive at Marseille just to jump in the car and hurtle as fast as I can up the motorway to reach my beloved bolthole. However on occasions I force myself to explore some of the interesting sites and areas between Marseille and here, by taking the scenic route or bison fute (crafty buffalo) as the French more colourfully refer to it.
Having read the Peter Mayle novels some time back I decided I ought to take a look at the Luberon where they’re set.
The scenery is indeed beautiful as you drive upto the plateau and gaze around at the stunning views. The scattered villages like Bonnieux are very quaint with an almost unreal feeling as though you’ve just stepped into a filmset. Lots of chic shops selling aspirational goods rather than day to day necessities. One thing that did surprise me though was how populated the area is – lots of villages and houses compared with the Baronnies for example. I have a sinking feeling that the popularity of the novels may have something to do with that.
It’s always tricky when you find an amazing area – you partly want to shout about it and partly to keep the secret to yourself for fear of spoiling it with an influx of people. I recall friends in the Sarthe complaining about part of the Dordogne having so many Dutch people that it felt like being in Holland and I also remember standing in Bergerac one Bastille Day and only hearing English spoken. Maybe that subject is for another blog – I digress!
So where shall I explore driving up from Marseille next time? Any suggestions?
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A Year in Provence
Written on Tuesday, July 26th, 2011 at 11:06 am
La Charrette Bleue
Written on Tuesday, May 17th, 2011 at 7:46 am
This is not going to be another post in which I wax lyrical about a meal at our great local restaurant – I’ll save that for another time!
La Charrette Bleue is also the title of a novel by Rene Barjavel. This son of a local baker started off as a journalist turning later to essays and novels. He is considered it seems by many as a prime fore-runner of science fiction.This year Nyons celebrates the centenary of his birth and pays hommage to this celebrated author. Various events are taking place throughout the year locally – exhibitions, lectures, walks around sites connected to him etc. You can even borrow his novels free. Full details can be found on the local tourism website paysdenyons.
So this spring as you drive around Nyons and see 3 blue carts placed strategically on roundabouts this isn’t a publicity wheeze by Paul and Francoise from the restaurant (although I’m sure they won’t be complaining!). The ‘charrette bleue’ is a symbol of the novel in which Barjavel evokes his childhood in the Nyonsais.
Check out the shelves of the library here at Le Colombier for a compendium of Barjavel’s work – in French.
Longing for sunny skies
Written on Tuesday, January 18th, 2011 at 12:57 pm
During what seems to have been interminable days of grey skies and constant rain in England, what keeps me going is the thought that I shall soon be experiencing the sunny skies and amazing light of Provence. A day at Colombier is enough to raise the spirits and lift one out of the usual winter gloom. Every year it still amazes me that it’s often possible to actually sunbathe for a couple of hours a day even in the depths of January and February. I’ve even had to get out the trusty Factor 30!
The other thing that always helps is planning a holiday. There’s nothing quite like trawling through websites, looking at all the enticing pictures.
So do take a moment to have a look at the rest of the Colombier website – we’re constantly adding new pictures, both of the house and pool, and the beautiful surrounding countryside.
Christmas in Provence
Written on Sunday, December 9th, 2007 at 9:53 pm
In London, you had to book your online supermarket delivery slot for Christmas by the beginning of December. Luckily – no such problems in Nyons. Don’t want to cook – how about lunch on Christmas Day at the Petit Caveau? Or if you’re at Le Colombier and want a supermarket-free time, and want to make sure you eat the best of the local produce? Here are some ideas for 2007.
You can order your foie gras, or home-smoked salmon, or scallops, or a variety of poultry from Laurent at the Petit Caveau (Nyons finest not Tesco finest)(for more details on ordering, and the Christmas and New Year menus, see the Petit Caveau website).
And although the usual weekly market in Nyons is on a Thursday – fear not. All the local “traiteurs” and producers will be running a special Christmas market all weekend this year. For more information I’ve just discovered the Pays de Nyons website (English and French) that looks as though it is being regularly updated with local information and dates. It’s also on the links – so check it out before you arrive so you can make the most of your trip.