Provence is a land of tiny medieval villages, with buildings of warm, worn stone walls covered with abundant, beautiful blooms, especially in the spring. Guest photographer Renata Haidle shares her favourite photos of Provence and the south of France…
Colours of Provence
The bright, vivid colours of towns and villages contribute to a lively atmosphere of a perpetual holiday. Powder blue shutters, Cypress trees and the sound of cicadas at night. The blue of the Mediterranean. The red geraniums in flower boxes, the scent of jasmine as well as the briny sea. This is what Provence is all about.
Fairy tale villages
I love the narrow alleys of La Turbie, where you feel like you’re lost in a fairy tale. Vence, Cagnes-sur-Mer, and Saint-Paul-de-Vence have a wonderful artistic heritage. The names of so many famous artists who once called these places home still live in the locals’ hearts and minds and inspire visitors decade after decade.
And cliché of clichés but oh so true, the people have an enviable joie de vivre. Their impeccable style shows in everything they do.
If you love authentic restaurants, Au Vieux Four in tiny Gourdon is fabulou. They make a scrumptious risotto piémontais with roast chicken, and divine chocolate gâteau with mango sorbet. If you want to build up an appetite, head there via a strenuous, steep, two hour-long hike up the mountain, all the way from Pont-du-Loup to Gourdon!
Renata Haidle is a Montana-based travel, architecture, and fine art photographer. She travels to Europe regularly where she photographs beautiful architecture and snippets of everyday life. Her travel photos have been featured in numerous publications and exhibitions. You can find her at: www.renatahaidle.com and Instagram at: www.instagram.com/renatahaidle
