going to provence. notice that most stores close 12-2 and are closed on sundays and sometimes mondays as well. is this true in most of europe as well? or just the countryside and not the cities, or just in certain countries. (planning ahead).

Definitely different in different countries, Joanel! Stores in England don't close for lunch, at least not in major urban centers. Shops in Italy are often closed from 1 to 4 pm (at least in the summer). You just need to know the local customs.

Here in Provence, the lunch hours are sacred....
Most places are actually closed from Noon or 12:30 to 3:30 or 4PM. In the larger towns, like Aix, Marseille or Avignon, most stay open during the lunch hour, although some smaller shops may close.

The farther north you go, and the larger the city, the fewer places close for lunch.

Patricia

how about italy or spain or netherlands?
possible futue trips.

In Rome shops dont generally close for lunch, especially in the city centre, even if in some parts they do (in Via Tuscolana, a long shopping street for example, situated at the entrance of the city, most of the shops are closed for lunch time, from 1 to 3/ 3.30 pm).
In the area where I live (south of Rome) and let's say from central to south of Italy (in small towns especially) shops close from 1 to 4 pm in winter and to 5 pm in summer (because of the heat) and they close at 8 pm. Therefore we usually have lunch between 1 and 1.30 pm.
In north of Italy shops close usually at 12.30 and open at 3.30 pm and they close around 7 pm. They have lunch a bit earlier. Shops in big cities dont usually close for lunchtime.