The skies were threatening rain, winds were once again blowing through the greens on Springtime trees, but it only added to the anticipation of the upcoming adventure that was planned by Emily Durand of “Your Private Provence”. I was fortunate to be included, as a portion of the tour required two adult participants….more on that later. So, I proceeded to a different section of town, I’m just scratching the surface of the surrounding town. Walking into a hotel, it took me back when I traveled so long ago as a student…the comfort of the lobby but knowing I wasn’t a patron and just wanting to have others to validate my reason for being there. I’m so easily intimidated but sat and waited for our guide, and her other clients…a mother and 9- year old daughter from Oman on a vacation to Provence. Introductions made and we were off for our Luberon excursion.
First stop in the Southern Luberon, a quaint Provencial town of Ansouis. There’s a privately owned castle here with a church located on the highest point of the city. I do believe Pierre Cardin (once again, note I’m listening and retaining information from Emily) was in the bidding process for said castle, but was it awarded to another who now will make personal tours when requested on certain days. I’m sure you will hear it often from me on this journey…it was almost magical/surreal to be in these surroundings! It’s a quiet little town but noted there is a MIchelin rated restaurant here, for whatever that means.
I loved the hues of color on the shutters….green, blues and terra cotta amongst the rock walls and cobblestone streets….which was created in a snail pattern, but I would’ve gotten lost just the same! We were trying to find the fields of red poppies but they were somewhat hidden amongst the growing grasses…they could be seen if we were vieiwng from a bird’s eye view (or perhaps, just a street above the valley floor on our way up to the castle). Give these flowers another week or two and they will be presented in grand form.
