February in The Luberon
Dec 4th, 2012, 07:44 AM
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February in The Luberon
We have been offered a grand opportunity - to house sit for 4 weeks, starting January 25, 2013. The owner's of the gite we stayed in this past September have asked us to take care of their cats and their home while they are on holiday. [There will be no guests to deal with during our stay].
I chuckle a bit, because on threads here asking about Provence in winter, I commented about the weather being less than favorable [snow, mistrals etc] and that it may be very quiet.
BUT now that we have this invitation, by tune has changed! No surprise.
We are 99% sure we are going to do this but we wonder what we will encounter in the area around Apt at this time? We are okay with quiet and while I would prefer milder temps, we are used to cold winter days and nights and the occasional snow.
DH would like to go skiing while there. I am happy just to relax, read and cook. Day trips will be on tap, as we would have use of their car.
Does anyone have input as to what to expect as far as what's open, what's not open, things to see and do that might be different in Feb. vs. Sept. when we were last there.
Thanks for you thoughts.
I chuckle a bit, because on threads here asking about Provence in winter, I commented about the weather being less than favorable [snow, mistrals etc] and that it may be very quiet.
BUT now that we have this invitation, by tune has changed! No surprise.
We are 99% sure we are going to do this but we wonder what we will encounter in the area around Apt at this time? We are okay with quiet and while I would prefer milder temps, we are used to cold winter days and nights and the occasional snow.
DH would like to go skiing while there. I am happy just to relax, read and cook. Day trips will be on tap, as we would have use of their car.
Does anyone have input as to what to expect as far as what's open, what's not open, things to see and do that might be different in Feb. vs. Sept. when we were last there.
Thanks for you thoughts.
Dec 4th, 2012, 08:26 AM
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I, too, think it sounds like a wonderful opportunity. I've never been in the Luberon in Feb. either, but would imagine that there would be very few tourists. But real people do live there year round so I would think that most everything would be open except perhaps stores that primarily cater to tourists.
It sounds like the dream of a lot of us--to live like a "local" for a while. Be sure to write a TR when you return!
It sounds like the dream of a lot of us--to live like a "local" for a while. Be sure to write a TR when you return!
Dec 4th, 2012, 08:29 AM
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"we wonder what we will encounter in the area around Apt at this time?"
If you do any hiking in the area, you are likely to encounter me !!
Seriously, though, I wouldn't get too concerned about things being closed. It's actually true that there are real, live people who live in the Luberon year round. You'll certainly see restaurants closed for extended periods, but not all of them, and certainly not all of them at the same time. Museums, sites to visit, etc are all open all year round. Likewise the weekly markets are always up and running, though with less venders than during the season (and more parking spots available).
Bottom line - enjoy and welcome to the neighborhood !
- Kevin
If you do any hiking in the area, you are likely to encounter me !!
Seriously, though, I wouldn't get too concerned about things being closed. It's actually true that there are real, live people who live in the Luberon year round. You'll certainly see restaurants closed for extended periods, but not all of them, and certainly not all of them at the same time. Museums, sites to visit, etc are all open all year round. Likewise the weekly markets are always up and running, though with less venders than during the season (and more parking spots available).
Bottom line - enjoy and welcome to the neighborhood !
- Kevin
Dec 4th, 2012, 09:39 AM
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I would jump at the opportunity too... especially to hike with Kevin.
Our family loved the six months we spent in the Luberon during the off-season back in 2004-2005. We hope to have a chance to live there again for an extended time in a few years, and meanwhile, we'll return as often as we can at any time of year. The smaller villages are quieter and some restaurants/shops may be closed, but there is still a lot of activity, especially in towns like Apt. The larger markets are still busy and vibrant.
And it's a good time of year for hiking... some days we would start out in jackets, hats and gloves and be hiking in t-shirts after a few hours. And if it's sunny outside, you will find people having coffee outside... sometimes even lunch.
Keep us posted on your plans.
Kathy
Our family loved the six months we spent in the Luberon during the off-season back in 2004-2005. We hope to have a chance to live there again for an extended time in a few years, and meanwhile, we'll return as often as we can at any time of year. The smaller villages are quieter and some restaurants/shops may be closed, but there is still a lot of activity, especially in towns like Apt. The larger markets are still busy and vibrant.
And it's a good time of year for hiking... some days we would start out in jackets, hats and gloves and be hiking in t-shirts after a few hours. And if it's sunny outside, you will find people having coffee outside... sometimes even lunch.
Keep us posted on your plans.
Kathy
Dec 4th, 2012, 11:22 AM
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We were in the Luberon in December a few years ago staying in Lourmourin. We were lucky with the weather, bright clear days, cold by California standards but quite manageable. In some of the more touristy towns (Gordes and Rousillion) a lot of places (shops and restaurants) were shut for the season but we loved seeing the area without the crowds and you'll enjoy different seasonal fare.
Sounds like a great opportunity, I'm sure it will be fabulous. I agree it's a good time for hiking as in the summer/autumn lots of trails are closed because of fire danger.
If we weren't leaving for five months in Europe in a few weeks I'd be very jealous!
Sounds like a great opportunity, I'm sure it will be fabulous. I agree it's a good time for hiking as in the summer/autumn lots of trails are closed because of fire danger.
If we weren't leaving for five months in Europe in a few weeks I'd be very jealous!
Dec 4th, 2012, 01:45 PM
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Lucky you, Deb!
I haven't been to the Lubéron in February, but I've been to St-Cirq a few times and for the most part loved it. There's absolutely no commerce in St-Cirq at all, so that aspect isn't any different from any other time of year, but the towns we normally go to, while not operating at 100%, have plenty going on. The markets are still operating, the supermarkets are open but on a restricted schedule compared to summer, a few of the shops and restaurants are closed - but actually the nice thing is that the ones that close are the ones that cater mainly to the tourist trade. The roads aren't jammed up, the weather can actually be quite balmy, the trees are bare so you get wide-open vistas instead of leafy loveliness, it's great to have a roaring fire every night, there's game on the menu, it's deathly quiet at night, there are owls but not snakes...it's very different, but wondrous in its own way.
I think you will love it!
I haven't been to the Lubéron in February, but I've been to St-Cirq a few times and for the most part loved it. There's absolutely no commerce in St-Cirq at all, so that aspect isn't any different from any other time of year, but the towns we normally go to, while not operating at 100%, have plenty going on. The markets are still operating, the supermarkets are open but on a restricted schedule compared to summer, a few of the shops and restaurants are closed - but actually the nice thing is that the ones that close are the ones that cater mainly to the tourist trade. The roads aren't jammed up, the weather can actually be quite balmy, the trees are bare so you get wide-open vistas instead of leafy loveliness, it's great to have a roaring fire every night, there's game on the menu, it's deathly quiet at night, there are owls but not snakes...it's very different, but wondrous in its own way.
I think you will love it!
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