ILUVPARIS

We'll be staying in Menerbes for 3 nights at the end of April, early May. I *think* poppies may be in bloom but, I could be wrong? I know they're a spring flower so I remain hopeful anyway! My husband and I love photography so assuming we hit it right, is there are field of poppies within a reasonable distance from Menerbes? If anyone has any suggestions please let me know.

ILP

grandmere

They're all over the place, but I wonder if you are just a couple of weeks too early? We were there in mid/late May one year, and they were beautiful. I hope you get to see them.

kerouac

Poppies are fickle creatures. But for the south of France, late April early May could just about do it.

There is no place to look for "poppy fields" -- either you will see lots of poppies or you won't. Poppy seeds are often sprinkled along roadsides but not so much as a complete field.

hopingtotravel

In 2005 we saw lots of them randomly scattered along the edges of fields between Gordes and St. Remy the last week of April. I think also when approaching St. Remy from the Ponte du Garde.

cigalechanta

I've seen fiels of them in the Alps Haute Provence.

ILUVPARIS

Well, my fingers are crossed. I guess I was looking for the 'poppy equivilent' of what lavender is to the Abbey de Senanque. I've looked around a bit online and I mostly see paintings.

grandmere

Our gite, near Gordes, overlooked a whole field of them.

cigalechanta

There are alot of photos on line. Put in where in Provence are the poppy fields. most show around Mustiers in the Alps

http://www.allposters.com/-sp/Stone-..._i3645242_.htm

fontascos

We have been there in May 18th to 24th last year for our painting workshop. We've got a beautiful poppy field on the way to Gordes. As you drive on the D900 toward Apt, turn left as you see the sign Le Coustellet or Cabrieres d'Avignon and cross your fingers! We're going again next mid May on the same purpose. Our 2008 photos: http://www.francescofontana.com/Stag..._Gallery_2.htm

monicapileggi

From my May 2002 journal, (May 15th):

We dropped off our purchases at the B&B [Les Sources in St. Remy], and headed out to Nimes. About a mile or so outside of Saint Remy, we saw a beautiful field of poppies. It was such a bright vivid color. As I was pulling over to stop, I noticed a movement of brown color coming towards the poppies and road. They were sheep! There must have been a hundred of them running towards the poppies. At first I thought they were going to run across the road, but no, they stopped in the middle of the poppy field. A border collie ran off to chase a straggler back to the group. We got out of the car and took a few photos. Finished with our photography, we got in the car and drove off. We saw this same field the next day and not one red poppy petal was to be found. Those sheep ate every flower! I wish we had taken an "after" photo.

Monica

ILUVPARIS

cigalechanta --thanks so much! I've seen that picture but, didn't know where it was taken. Tremendous! Now I just have to pray the poppies will cooperate with our schedule.

A big thanks also to fontascos and monicapileggi. We will be staying pretty close to Le Coustellet & Cabrieres d'Avignon, so we will be on the lookout!

Anyone know if there's a Route de Poppies? If not, maybe I'm onto something!

monicapileggi

ILUVPARIS,

I'll be in Provence mid May with my friend and her daughter, so I'll keep an eye out and mark the locations on my map. Maybe we can create our own Route de Poppies!

Monica

KathyWood

We have been in Provence for several weeks the last two Mays and will be there next month, staying in Bonnieux.

In 2008 the poppies had just started to open around May 7 or 8. They were in full bloom the following week and are absolutely spectacular. I know many people really like the lavender, but I absolutely love the poppies.

The last two years there have been several fields of poppies in the plain below Bonnieux, south of the D100, not far from Menerbes.

mtjames

Hi KathyWood:
Barbara and I will be in Provence - Arles on May 11 and 12. We have been thinking about dinner at Le Cilantro or L’Atelier du Jean Luc Robanel. What would you suggest? It appears you have been in this area many times. Thank you for your thoughts and suggestions.

Barbara and James

macanimals

We haven't been to Le Cilantro but have dined at L'Atelier a couple of times and can heartily endorse it as a totally unique and pleasant experience. Both of our experiences have been for dinner--16-17 courses and all memorable. It is an extremely popular place and reservations are a must. The price 2 yrs ago was 65 euro and my only concern is they really pack the people into the fairly tight space--the service is outstanding particularly in the manner in which they are able to deliver the many courses through the venue.

mtjames

Hello MacAnimals:

Thanks for your thoughts.

I have never heard of such a large course dinner. Did you mean that for 65 euros you got a 16 to 17 course dinner?
How long did it take? The price does not bother me. However, it seems like a lot of food!

James

macanimals

Yes--16 to 17 courses but they are small portions, similar to tapas style. I too was hesitant but found it to be reasonable in terms of quantity. Last visit in 2007, I took a group of 12 including several elders from our family--not a problem with quantity. The food is paced and spectacularly presented (hence my comment reervice), one seating and all are pretty much coordinated to be on the same course. I recall about 2 1/2 hours--8-10:30.

BTW-last trip was in May and we found poppy fields everywhere.

cigalechanta

I was disappointed in the L'Atelier. The food is still good but I preferred the ambiance of the organic farm in the Camargue where he was the chef, rather than dining on the busy street in Arles. There was nothing as lovely dining outside infront of the herb patch as butterflies danced overhead. He's changed his style
that seems influenced by the Spanish chef Frerran Adria.
several of the dishes had the foam, a trend started by Adria.

flygirl

Here are a few that are tagged "France":

http://www.flickr.com/search/?q=poppies+france&s=int

http://www.flickr.com/search/?s=int&...+france&m=tags

Here are a few that are tagged "Provence"
http://www.flickr.com/search/?s=int&...rovence&m=tags

http://www.flickr.com/search/?s=int&...rovence&m=text