To enjoy Provence in the fall is one of life’s most beautiful pleasures. The shades of autumn colour the vineyards and tree lined squares and avenues. The rays of the sun seem more golden than at their bright summer peak, making everything they touch glow and shimmer like a magical paint brush has daubed the landscape. It’s a time for harvesting the grapes, for relaxing after the long hot summer and for enjoying the enchanting charms of the southern French region.
Emily Durand, local and tour guide at Your Private Provence shares her favourite things for a tour of Provence in the fall:
Hike & Bike in Provence
With the summer heat gone, it’s the optimal time to take a hike or ride a bike. Provence is paradise for trail and bike riding. In every part of Provence you have amazing paths that are not just beautiful but also cultural. Imagine stumbling upon an 18th-century olive mill cave or limestone rock cut with the track from a chariot…
Taste the Flavors of Provence
In September summer produce is still perfect, yet the fall flavors are making their way on menus. Market shopping can be even more picturesque when you have locally grown, beautifully orange squash next to ripe strawberries and melons. Mushrooms add to the variety and texture and let’s not forget the pears and apples. Did you know that Provence, along with the Alpes and Cote d’Azur is the number one producer of Apples in France? Why not enjoy a cooking class to experience these products in a fun way that means you’ll always be able to cook up the essence of Provence, even when you go home?
Visit popular places without the crowds
Let’s face it, Provence has become one of the most visited destinations in the world today. It may be a bit behind Paris in terms of tourist numbers, but those little villages, that are so worth seeing, can sometimes be so full of people that the cultural heritage is hidden. Starting in September, you can really begin to escape the crowds. Places like Les Baux de Provence, gorgeous Gordes, the poster boy town of Provence, and Cassis, become so much more relaxing and the authentic feel is easier for you to experience.
Photography
It often seems the last week of August and first week of September surprise the summer traveler with a touch of rain and colder temperatures. This is a gift for the fall traveler as the brown of summer diminishes and the golden light reappears. From mid-September to the first week of November, the colors in Provence are just stunning. Any tour during fall in Provence will give you beautiful photos for displaying in your travel albums, or why not get one blown up on canvas and displayed in your favorite zen room at home.
Join a photography and Provencal lifestyle tour to discover the very best of Provence and take home photo memories to cherish: yourprivateprovence.com/provence-autumn-tour
Wine Harvest
You don’t have to be a wine drinker to appreciate the culture of wine, especially during September tours. Experiencing the land of Provence is at its highlight when you see the agriculture lifestyle underway. Pickers in the fields, tractors on the road, growers in their hangars coordinating the work and tracing quality. This unique element to travel opens up your respect for what you eat or drink and makes you feel more connected to the land.
Take a fall tour of Provence with Emily at Your Private Provence to discover the very best of the area…
