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.

Bees buzzing in the lavender!

Seeing the rows and rows and rows of lavender in Provence had been on my bucket list for so long, and finally in July 2009 I took my Mom and we went in search of lavender. Our first big field - pulled over and walked in the rows and took so many photos (and many more in the subsequent days). I wanted to roll in it. I was so thrilled. No lavender was harmed - the rows are very wide.

I didn't realize how bee-tiful the lavender is. Buzz buzz buzz.