no, Every moment was special, but driving into the Camargue
and finally seeing the wild white horse, the black bulls and the pink flamingoes.
Having my first sea erchins (oursins)in Cassis.
Simply smelling the garigue with the wild herbs,
a lizard joining me for breakfast at a hotel on the balcony of our stone wall. Priceless moments that never leave me.

No, and I really don't like these simplistic and silly "favorite moment" threads. The problem is, if you've been there once, maybe twice, you do have a "special moment," because your experience is severely limited, and something stands out (whether of not it's actually significant historically or photographically or whatever). If you've been there 50 times, there is no "special moment." You have hundreds, and none more special than others. I could, as could many others, list 100, or 1,000, amazing moments, sights, experiences. Not to mention that if you go as a first-timer you are seeing things through a completely different lens from the one an old-hand sees things through. And whether or not you speak the language makes a huge difference - you can only observe, not participate, if you don't speak French.

This is why I avoid those Fodor's requests to talk about "your best experience in ____." Completely subjective and irrelevant, IMO. Not worth recording. Not to mention that what might be important for me to experience on a trip might be completely different from what's important to you.

Laura, many moments were special for me. I will refer to this later in my post.

Travel forums will remain a mystery to me forever. On Fodors in the last month there were three outstanding threads for me---StCirq, 'Not a Trip Report',--Passionfruit, 'Transportation in Paris'--- and MaitaiTom’s most recent trip.


StCirq: Your posts are often rather wonderful and your recent thread, Not a Trip Report, was remarkable in every way. Thus your post above totally demeans you. The OP’s post is NOT >> “silly and simplistic. Possible answers are not “completely irrelevant/not worth recording’”.<<

Of course the answers are subjective, we are individuals. ALL POSTS ARE SUBJECTIVE.

I agree, >>,StCirq: if you've been there once, maybe twice, you do have a "special moment," because your experience is severely limited… If you've been there 50 times, there is no "special moment." You have hundreds, and none more special than others. I could, as could many others, list 100, or 1,000, amazing moments, sights, experiences. Not to mention that if you go as a first-timer you are seeing things through a completely different lens from the one an old-hand sees things through. >>

Of course, it is her first time. Not all of us have the means or opportunity to visit Provence as often as you.

__________________________________________________________

StCirq: Your above post reeks of privilege, money, elitism and luck.

I do not understand why you take this offensive and insulting stance with this OP, yet respond often (and decently) to Passionfruit, in her equally first time?


>>StCirq: This is why I avoid those Fodor's requests to talk about "your best experience in ____." <<

Well, you obviously didn’t avoid replying to this OP , taking great pains to make her feel unwelcome and irrelevant. A rather pathetic triumph and, who gains?
______________________________________________________________

Laura, in my 12 visits to France, most of my time was spent in Paris which I loved. I did go to Provence for a week a few years ago, when I could afford it. It was a beautiful experience and I wrote a thread about my brief experience with some of my photos, (I am Jazz ), Lavender in Provence, ,

http://anyportinastorm.proboards.com/index.cgi?board=france&action=display&thread=3835&page=1

We feel very lucky to have spent a week in Provence in 2008. The word Provence conjures up images for people and each is individual. Our happy memory of Provence is of sitting under a tree in the grounds of our gite on an olive farm near Mazan with a view of Mont Ventoux. The end of another day travelling around the region, a glass of wine, some cheese and baguette. We hope to return one day.

We all cannot own a house in France and our stays in gites are the closest we will get. We have similar happy memories from all our trips which we recall often. I enjoy reading what makes trips special for other people. I posted a trip report for the first time earlier this year and was gratified by the positive comments I received.

http://www.fodors.com/community/europe/our-own-country-roads-tour-of-france.cfm

Sadly no Provence this time, but looking good for next trip. I hope you get to Provence one day Laura and I look forward to reading of your special memory.

Someone got out of the wrong side of bed this morning...

Anyway, I have quite a few special memories of being in Provence but my absolute favourite is the first time my wife and I went as a newly minted married couple.

One evening we had a reservation at a restaurant in St. Paul de Vence and as our B & B (which has now rebranded itself as boutique hotel for reasons that become all too apparent from their new website) was within spitting distance, we decided to walk rather than drive.

The path to the restaurant was surrounded by fields (or large gardens - I didn't have time to check the land registry documents) and was only suitable for foot traffic.

As we walked up the hill in the setting sun, hand in hand, with St. Paul beckoning us on I really felt that my life was pretty, bloody perfect and how lucky I was to have a life such as I do.

This memory pops into my head at the oddest times and never fails to make me smile.

I love the moments shared so far, thank you! I of course expect mine will be different when I go in May, but I enjoy hearing those of others, it adds to my anticipatory excitement.

St Cirq, in browsing recently I too have valued other responses and threads by you and was surprised by this response. If you don't enjoy this type of thread, why not just ignore it and let those of us who do enjoy, do so without having to read the negativity. Different strokes...I have a pretty thick skin, but I've seen newcomers to Fodors forums leave after responses like yours, which I think is a shame.

I get all mixed up sometimes with what "Provence" is, since I guess it straddles the coast, and I generally think of places like Aix en Provence, Arles, and the like.

I do get excited every time I see the hills that Cezanne painted; and had a very special time a few years back on the Fete du Riz weekend in Arles, with all that delicious paella being cooked up and spontaneous bands, dancing in the cafes, and people dressed up in odd costumes.

But this past summer, sitting in La Cafe de la Place in St. Paul de Vence really did it for me as a general crowd pleaser. It was a gorgeous, sunny day, and we'd just been up the hill strolling along the narrow cobbled streets in the medieval part of town, with a plan to meet up with our family at the bottom by the boules. My husband was sitting in the cafe outside, just next to the awning that covers the patio tables and chairs, sipping a beer. My mom was sitting on a rock by the curb. We all joined my husband for drinks and fries, when there was a clatter of noise came from the sky as a cloud parachuted in from nowhere. And just as we moved back for shelter under the awning, the skies opened up with a torrent of rain that had a healthier flow than a well- pressurized shower. All of the gutters lining the buildings filled within seconds, and fountains sprouted up from the gutter spouts. The people outside the awning at the cafe also took shelter, and we all just started laughing and talking in about 8 different languages what we had just witnessed. Meanwhile, people began running down from the hilltop town, shooting out the tunnel like cannon balls, and the whole show of them running through the streets looking for shelter, dripping wet, looked like a wet t-shirt contest.

Good fun!

The autumn colors of the vineyards & fields against the mountains & blue sky....as we came around the corner of a twisting country road near Vaison la Romaine......so stunning....couldn't pull over fast enough to take photos...and I have seen fall foliage before...BUT this was stunning.
Your query is perfectly reasonable....and WHY is StCirq so snarky on this and other postings.????

Provence is an earthly paradise,* as one of my favorite French writers wrote

Colette*

Out of bad things often come good. My husband became very ill while in Provence. The doctor saw him three times and even gave us his home number. We had to stay put, then rebook our time in Provence when he recovered. This wonderful man sat down with us and gave us instructions on where to go, what to see, where to stay, from a local's viewpoint, all very different from our original plans. We loved our rescheduled visit to this beautiful area and our memories of this wonderful, caring young doctor.

I've only been once, and as I type that, it's hard to believe because I loved it so much. But whatever - just haven't made it back.

Anyway, here are a few:

- Sitting at an outdoor cafe with my friend in Aix on a bright sunny day (after several rainy and cold ones!) drinking a pastis.

- The coliseum in Nimes (this was BEFORE I had been to Rome).

- My friend taking a picture of me standing in a vineyard in Chateauneuf-du-Pape (one of my favorite wines) because she said it would reflect me in my natural habitat.

- Seeing the Pont du Gard for the first time - an awesome sight even with buckets of rain falling.

I may be blurring the lines of what is officially considered Provence (as someone mentioned upthread) but the above were included in my Provence itinerary.

Have a great trip go-laura! Maybe you'll inspire me to plan my 2nd trip.

My most special moment took place on our first trip to Provence, driving down from Paris. We spent several days in Burgundy, then headed south on the Autoroute du Soleil for our ultimate destination of Cannes (for a computer-organization conference!).

We had reservations for a one-night stopover in a tiny hamlet not far from Montélimar, but we were making such good time that I suggested we could just keep going. My husband, for which I am forever grateful, said no. So we turned offand drove east past lavender farms toward the mountains until we found the sign for our hotel, Les Hospitaliers. It is set in the perched village of Le Poët-Laval, once a stronghold of the Knights of Malta and lovingly restored by the hotel's owners.

That night we dined on the patio atop the restaurant. The night was quiet, and there were virtually no lights in the valley around us. When the stars came out, brilliant without competition, it was as though we had our own little universe.

Underhill, I had a wonderful lunch there. Great location!

A weekend spent at Auberge du Presbytere in Saignon....just a beautiful hilltop town, and lots of great people.

Barnum, it's a favorite place of mine. I heard it has been ?
sold??

Barnum, here's an old thread on the closing.

http://slowtalk.com/groupee/forums/a/tpc/f/3956056284/m/612000086001

In Arles at an outdoor bar. When I looked up, I realized I was staring at the same bar Van Gogh painted in his "Cafe Terrace At Night". I was in tears.

thank you for posting your question, golaura. So many lovely responses (and a couple which squarely addressed the one very rude post) were a delight to read. I am going to Arles this spring and found several posts on this thread to be useful.

Bon voyage!

We went to Sommieres one day just to stroll around, but it was the day of their running of the bulls. So we got a nice spot at a cafe right along the main drag, and it was exciting, charming, casual, and amusing. If you possibly can, choose to accidentally visit a small village on the same day that they run bulls up and down the main street.

dfourh, Sommieres was where I discovered
my favorite white wine, Pic Puol

We were just in Provence this past summer--and it was heaven. Perhaps seeing my first lavander field was the most memorable part. But we did enjoy an absolutely blissful dinner at LaBastide de Marie in Menerbes. It was set in their outdoor garden and there were lavender fields all around us and the setting was everything romantic you could imagine. We enjoyed wonderful wine, wonderful conversation and amazing food. Oh, how I wish I could go back.

judy you will also like the Bastide de Mustiers.

Such wonderful replies, thanks, all! I've recently been somewhat obsessively focusing on trying to figure out the Paris lodging part of the trip, and it was great just now to re-focus on the Provence part for a bit.

As I'd hoped when I originally posted, hearing the memories of others just adds to the joyful anticipation. I guess early May might be too early for the lavender, but that will just give me a reason to have to do it again someday (lol haven't gone the first time yet and already thinking about the second!)

Laura, if you'll be there in early May, you have a good chance to be there for the poppies. One of my favorite memories of Provence is the poppies. I bet these photos will add to your anticipation! http://slowtraveltours.com/blog/poppies-in-provence/

Kathy

You are so right. I LOVE those pictures, and I'm now as excited as when I first saw pictures of the lavender fields before I realized we'd be a little too early for it. Thank you!

Laura, I have been to Provence a number of times but believe me - there are just moments, and smells that will stay with you forever. Here are some of my favourites:

Saignon - we stayed at the lovely Chambre avec Vue, and when we came down for dinner the first night, the rooms were like magic. Fires burning in the hearths and the dining room a study in shades of white and grey - like the Frensch do so well. And pots of white flowers everywhere. I will never forget that.

Tourettes-Sur-Loup. I was captivated by this small town from the first time I saw it - and returned there at least 5 times. Just following the winding cobble stone streets and smelling the ages in the stones.

Sainte Agnes - do not know if this really falls in Provence but never the less, I will never forget this village - high up in the mountains above Menton. We were there on a misty day, and walking through the quiet streets, smelling the smoke of wood fires, will stay with me forever.

Wow. Poppies. That's it....I'm going BACK!

Hello everyone, this is my first time on the site, and jumping around a little I've been amazed how many useful topics and insights there are. I was a bit nonplussed by the response from StCirq earlier on this thread, and I think someone needs to call the ego police.

My wife and I are heading to europe next year for a few months, and probably sometime in May we will be passing across provence by car and will stop for a few nights somewhere. A decade ago, on an unorganised driving trip we stumbled across St Remy de Provence and spent a few nights there. We'll look for somewhere different this time, and this thread has already given me some ideas.

For Laura, a special memory of that stay was at Pont Du Gard. It was a stifingly hot summer day and my wife found some shade while I went off wandering up the hill. At one point I noticed what looked to be a disused path that had become overgrown and after about 15 or 20 minutes minutes of pushing uphill through undergrowth I came to an elevated area where I found a small stone seat hidden among the vegetation but positioned to give an amazing view over the site. I'm sure that no one else had been there for years, and it gave me a wonderful sense of the timelessness of the area, which had been pretty hard to grasp at ground level with hundreds of people in the river.

Enjoy your trip Laura.

I enjoyed reading the responses on this post. They took me back to some great memories of Provence. One of those was in Tourettes-sur-Loup.

I must agree with chiarachiara on what a charming town this is. Thinking back to walking the quiet, hilly lanes and enjoying the lavender ice cream at "Tom's" puts a smile on my face. Far less touristy than most, this was a place worth searching out.

Happy travels!

What a lovely thread. St. Cirq, perhaps a break is in order? You seem to be bored with so many of the questions.

chiara, I stayed at Chambre avec Vue.
Dinner was spent with a lawyer from Lyon and his charming family. One of the sons played the piano for us.We had a long discussion about French films. It was summer so breakfast was outside. At that time she had a little dog and a rabbit frolicing to our amusement.

When I think of Provence, I think of Mimi! I'm glad you have so many lovely memories. I hope you have opportunities to make even more.

St-Cirq is a long-time and very, very helpful contributor. Give her a break.

Thank you, grasshopper!

Cigalechanta, I wowed to return to Saignon and stay there again but, unfortunately I was never in the position to do so. But I will return there one day. I am sure one will always find something new to amuse you or take your breath away. Kamilla and Pierre are just so talented.