Where the spring is born. Provence
It’s quite hard to find more romantic country than France. Everywhere you feel love and unbridled desire to live enjoying every day. Spring in Provence is especially beautiful. Due to its favourable geographical location, already in March the temperature of the air reaches up to 15° C, and in April you can even sunbathe on the beaches of Nice.
Spring in Provence is like a fairy tale when you fall in love in everything: green olive gardens, lilac haze on the horizon, emerald fields, fresh sea air, and blooming gardens of apricot, peach and almond. Landscapes of Provence inspired van Gogh to create his best paintings. In his masterpieces The Blossoming Almond Tree and A Wheatfield with Cypresses, spring colours under the sky of Provence are depicted.
You are well advised to start your spring journey through Provence with the Regional Nature Park of the Camargue, an endless valley with lakes, estuaries, sand dunes, forests and swamps. Horseback riding in this area is a favourite pastime of tourists. Riding a snow-white horse on the magical landscapes of the Camargue is a real pleasure that cannot be forgotten or compared to others.
Those to be fond of the sea will surely like calanques of Provence, which for centuries have changed their shape under the influence of temperature, water and wind. Calanques of Provence are often compared to the Norwegian fjords – that’s how beautiful these coves are. Their banks seem impregnable, and water is pure. You can rent a boat or yacht both in Marseille or Cassis. If you prefer active rest, you could try canoeing on the river Ardeche, running through the huge canyon. Hundred-meter high forested cliffs can be seen on both banks of the river. The local majestic scenery heats the imagination of even experienced tourists.
Among the attractions and architectural monuments of Provence, Pont du Gard holds a special place. It was built by the Romans as early as in the middle of the 1st century AD. The huge six-ton blocks were used for its creation. The bridge is opened to the public. On a fine day, you can see there groups of curious tourists, as well as couples strolling and enjoying the view. Another place worth a visit is the city of Avignon, which has kept its medieval look. Papal Palace located nearby completes the city’s medieval atmosphere.
Of course, abundance of impressions and the whole day spent in the fresh sea air will make you hungry. And you are surely at the right place, as Provence cuisine will win your heart, or, rather, your stomach. Vegetables, moist meat with basil and thyme, unique Provence wine, truffles, ratatouille and bouillabaisse (seafood soup) are masterpieces of the traditional cuisine of Provence; they can be ordered at any local restaurant or cafe.
Provence is a great destination perfect for both who are fond of adventures and those who prefer romance and quiet holidays in the nature. That is why many travellers, with the first breath of spring, come to the south of France, in order to awake from winter sleep and enjoy Provence, a world where millions of flowers bloom and long-awaited spring is born.
