la libellule mauve

The place Roussillon340 m >> Roussillon, classified as one of the most beautiful villages of France, is located in the heart of the land of ocher, where nature shows a beautiful color palette. Village with 1'200 inhabitants, 35 km east of Cavaillon, 48 km east of Avignon, 49 km south of Carpentras. In the village: bakery, butcher, pharmacy, post, restaurants and other small shops. Access: railway station "Avignon" 48 km. Joucas 6 km. Gordes 10 km. Apt 12 km. For arrivals by plane: airport Avignon (AVN) 48 km, Marseille (MRS) 109 km. To be seen: a church from the 11th century, the old ocher factory 'Conservatoire des Ocres',' la Ferme aux basilics. The region of Provence Provence and Haute Provence are sunny holiday destinations that immediately bring holiday in mind. In the hinterland one finds a variety of typical small villages that formed the framework for many novels of the famous writers Jean Giono and Alphonse Daudet

"Who would not be able to love Roussillon, who loves light, the color, the glowing heat, the wide horizons and the twinkling starry skies over the rest of the Midi". Thus described the writer Marie Mauron this village, which is above all a painter's palette, a magical place where combinations of rock minerals an infinite variety of ocher color yield. This is reflected in the landscape and the facades of the houses. Roussillon is a perched village in an area once held in motion by geysers. The charm of this village is mainly determined by the many jagged streets and the warm colors where light radiates. One tastes here even in low season the sweet life and the welcoming atmosphere (galleries and crafts); Roussillon is a gourmet village and is also not far from the nature of the Parc Régional du Luberon. A beautiful place!

Apt (Vaucluse) This originally Roman town is surrounded by numerous fruit orchards. The local specialty, candied fruit, is sold in many shops here. On Saturday there is a lively market in Apt. At the Maison du Parc Naturel Régional du Luberon one can get information on various walking and driving tours through the Luberon.Gordes (Vaucluse) The picturesque village Gordes is nestled against a rocky slope. The 16th century castle, perched high above the village, now houses an art collection. Near Gordes one finds the "Village des Bories", where a dozen restored Bories (of stacked limestone built beehive-like huts)are on display. The oldest cabins are dating from 3500 BC. and were up till in the early 20th century occupied. Isle-sur-la-Sorgue (Vaucluse) This attractive village is situated on the River Sorgue. The river splits into many side-streams, making Isle-sur-la-Sorgue also called 'the Venice of Provence' is. Walking through the old part of town we pass several water mills, which today no longer work. You'll also find many antique shops and every Sunday there is a large antique market. Fontaine de Vaucluse (Vaucluse) This village is the source of the Sorgue River, the most powerful source of France. Where the water actually comes from is still a mystery : for example in 1967 Cousteau reached with a special diving apparatus a depth of 106 m, but without reaching the bottom. The mill paper is still made according to a 15th century process.

Vaucluse. This region forms the heart of Provence, the sunny south of France. The area is majestically bounded by the foothills of the Alps in the east, the Durance to the south, the Rhône in the west and the Drôme in the north.. Amidst olive groves, vineyards and lavender fields are picturesque Provencal villages where time seems to have stand still. Here you can enjoy on a shady terrace an aperitif and one plays petanque in the shade of the sycamores.The markets are dominated by the wonderful scents of fresh herbs. The intense colors have been a source of inspiration for many artists.Be seduced by the pleasures of the good Provencal life!

The Luberon is a mountain range that extends over a distance of about 60 kilometers between Cavaillon and Manosque in the west to the east. In the north it is bounded by the Plateau de Vaucluse, in the south by the Durance. Located in the heart of Provence. You'll find the most beautiful landscapes, the most beautiful and picturesque villages. De entire mountain range with a large surrounding area has been declared a protected area, the "Parc naturel régional du Luberon": this is to protect an unique landscape against rising toerisme. The mountain range is cut in half through the gorge of Lourmarin. Thus, "Le Petit Luberon" in the west and "Le Grand Luberon" in the is east formed. The highest point of the "Le Grand Luberon" is the "Mourre Nègre" with 1125 meters high. "Le Petit Luberon" has a top speed of approximately 700 meters. "Villages perches", villages built on a hill, like Lacoste, Bonnieux, Ménerbes, Oppède-le-Vieux, interspersed with fields of lavender and sunflowers are the landschap.One can make beautiful walks and hikes through the mountains. A good guide and a detailed map is therefore a necessity. Most of the trails are indicated.

Roussillon -> thursday.
Apt -> Saturday Tuesday: "Marché Paysan" from June to October pottery market in July and augustus.
Aix en Provence -> Tuesdays, Thursdays and saturday.
Bonnieux -> Wednesday, friday
Cavaillon -> Monday
Isle-sur-la-Sorgue - > Thursday Sunday flea market in a few places in the city: Lourmarin -> Friday

If you travel through the Provence, one finds them almost everywhere, the olive groves. Nyons is the real center of olive cultivation in France. Also in the area around Les Baux de Provence you will find many olive groves, "Olivettes" called.
France produces only 0.5 percent of the total olive production in the Mediterranean zee.De olive tree grows to a height of 300 to 800 meters in a dry, stony ground. He tolerates only a mild climate with temperatures between 15 and 30 degrees. The tree can not withstand frost. At -10 ° C, the olive tree may die. During the winter of 1956 in the Provence half of all the olive trees died because of the severe frost.
De wild olive tree grows up to 15 meters high. The cultivated tree is between 3 and 5 meters. He starts giving fruit after 7 years and he is on his 35th peak production. He gives to about 135 years fruit. The olive tree gives fruit only every two years. It grows the other year. Olives to be eaten, but must be prepared.
The major part of the olive production, however, is intended for pressing. The olives are first crushed to a pulp in a mill. Hereinafter they are placed in a sort of basket ("scourtin") made in a press, and the oil is pressed from the pulp. The oil thus obtained, called "1ère pression." The pulp contains oil and is hereinafter referred to as even for a second time pressed, the "2ème pression".
At olivetrees fruits grow, in contrast to other fruit trees, in the winter. In the months of May and June the tree blooms. Then, during the summer, the tree drops as . so to speak, asleep. This is to survive the extreme heat of summer. In September, the fruit will grow back faster. Now, the harvest can begin. The harvest period is from November to February. In the months of September and October also are olives picked. These olives are still green and not ripe and will only be eaten. not pressed. From november, the olives are harvested for oil and for preparation. The olives have a purple color and are semi-ripe. These olives contain more oil. The olives picked in December and January are black and fully ripened. Picking happens manually on to the height of a ladder to reach. The olives that can not be reached, are either knocked out of the tree or the tree is firmly shaken. A net just below the tree captures the olives. This method of harvesting is mainly applied in the area around Nice, because the trees grow up to 15 meters high.

The subtropical climate of Provence is characterized by dry summers and mild winters. With an average of 2800-3000 hours of sunshine and less than 80 days with rainfall per year, the Provence is therefore a popular holiday destination. Even in the winter on the coast some places have up to 150 hours sun per month. Thanks to warm ocean currents the winters on the coast are generally quite soft and sunny.In the summer there is less than 70 mm rainfall and the daytime temperature hovers around 30 ° C, with maximums of 35 ° C. This period of high temperatures, lasts long: from May to October the maximum daytime temperatures are above 20 ° C. The heat is rarely oppressive because of the the dry air and protection against damp depressions by the Massif Central.

To qualify, complete rest we have consciously chosen to "Internet freedom" to keep our house. For those who really can not do without internet, Macdonalds is around 6 km away and they serve delicious coffee and tea!