Summer Travel Tips

Soaring summer temperatures and long hours of daylight means we’re right in the middle of peak travel season in France. More people travel to France in the months of July and August than the rest of the year. If you are one of these travelers, rest assured you are in for a treat, and here are a couple tips to make your vacation that much more enjoyable.

1.) Avoid weekend travel

Waiting in line is inevitable when visiting the sights in France, whether it be the Mont St Michel, the Chenonceaux in Loire, or Paris museums, however you can minimize the wait time. Midweek tends to be a better time for traveling then the weekends. Another good general tip is to visit the places on your list either earlier or later in the day. Being prepared and having a good attitude also helps the wait go fast.

2.) Escape to Cooler Weather

For some, the higher temperatures of summer go hand in hand with a good vacation. For others, the sweltering heat can be a burden. For a reprieve from the heat, head to the northern regions of France. Brittany and Normandy are excellent examples of regions with a more temperate climate. Cooled by the breeze of the coast and regular rainfall, Brittany and Normandy stay green, lush, and reach only mildly warm temperatures even in France’s hottest months. On the opposite side of northern France, the Alsace region experiences much of the same weather. Alsace is known for its consistent rainfall, but it’s wettest months this year have passed.  If you’re looking to escape the heat, check out our hiking and cycling tours in these regions.

3.) Don’t miss the celebration

Bastille Day, or more formally known as ‘La Fête Nationale’, marks the anniversary of the storming of the Bastille on the 14^th of July, 1789. This event became a symbol of the uprising of the current French nation and the start of the French Revolution. Bastille Day is an exciting time to be in France, with enthusiastic celebration taking place nationwide. In Paris, the people line the Champs-Elysées for a massive military parade, before partying into the wee hours of the next day beneath fireworks displays at the Eiffel tower. If you’re not in Paris, that is no reason not to partake in the celebration! Each and every town across France takes part in this national holiday with their own events, parties, and celebrations. A celebration this big is something that should be experienced at least once in a lifetime.

Viva la France!

Souvenirs from France – Provence Pottery

From long stretches of sun kissed coastline to quaint, peaceful villages, from rolling green pastures to friendly cafes serving fine local wine and decadent regional cuisine, Provence embodies everything that France offers and so much more.  Away from the hustle and bustle of other tourist destinations, visitors here have the opportunity to relax, unwind and enjoy a simpler way of life.  Spend the day lounging on the pristine beaches, enjoy long, leisurely walks or hit up the dazzling nightlife and mingle with the locals.  However you spend your time there, when it’s time to leave you’ll undoubtedly want to take a little piece of this heavenly place home with you.  One of the best ways to capture the essence of Provence is through the exquisite, handcrafted pottery made there.

History

The art of pottery making has been practiced in the Provence region for as long as it’s been on the map.  The earliest inhabitants designed primitive but functional pieces that were used for cooking, serving and storing food.  The rich clay soil found in Southern France combined with the hot sun perfect for baking made the craft of pottery making increasingly popular in Provence, where experts honed their skills over the generations and visitors can now purchase and bring home some of the most exquisitely designed pottery art in the world.

The Process

The clay used in making each and every piece of Provence pottery is harvested from a small village near Avignon called Entraigue sur Sorgue.  Artisans who are experts in their craft shape the clay into various designs and the pieces are then dried and baked and/or wood fired until they harden, after which they are hand-painted and enameled.  Pottery items range from simple decorative tableware, like vases, adorned in brilliant provencal colors to one-of-a-kind sculptures which are beautifully crafted and highly collectable.  Regardless of the type of item, each piece is a hand-crafted masterpiece.

Where to Buy

There are plenty of places to view and purchase a beautiful piece of Provence pottery throughout the region – just about every village has their own shop featuring locally made items.  We’d suggest Cliousclat, located near Valence, and Ravel and Barbotine in the Aubagne area.  Each have been producing hand-made works of art for centuries and offer some of the most magnificent and classical pieces in the entire region.

A trip to the Provence region is certain to provide visitors with the perfect combination of relaxation and exhilaration.  Whether sunbathing on a white sand beach, shopping in the quaint French villages or enjoying the delicious cuisine and vibrant night life, you’ll experience some of the best of what France has to offer in one beautiful location.  What better way to capture your magical experience in Provence than to bring home a piece of art that was literally made from the land itself?

Languedoc’s Endless Activities

Ideally located along the Mediterranean coast on the southern tip of France and stretching from the Rhone to the Garonne, the Languedoc region remains among the most beautiful and exciting places on earth to visit.  People come from all over the globe to lounge on the breathtaking sandy beaches and enjoy the crystal clear tropical waters of the Mediterranean Sea.  Secluded beaches and hidden caves add intrigue and excitement, while mouth-watering regional cuisine featuring fresh garlic, olive oil and savory Provencal herbs provide a true taste of the area.  And with perfect terrain, both coastally and inland, Languedoc is known for the variety of outdoor activities available there.

Some of the more popular activities in the Languedoc region include:

• On the water:
  • Canoeing
  • Sailing
  • Wind surfing
  • Finishing

• In the mountains:
  • Cycling
  • Rock Climbing
  • Horseback Riding
  • Accrobranche Tree Climbing
  • Skiing

• Around Town:
  • Wine tasting (one of the world’s largest wine producing regions)
  • Hot Air Balloon Rides
  • Tennis
  • Montpellier Zoo

You can experience many of these activities on Discover France’s Languedoc Multisport Tour where you will:

• Cycle to different medieval castles
• Mountain bike through the Languedoc Mountains
• Visit an adventure park, known as Accrobranche, filled with rope courses and zip lining
• Canoe in the waters near St Guilhem
• Enjoy a treasure hunt through Montpellier

With such a varied terrain, from mountain ranges to lush forests to vast open water, there are so many things to do in Languedoc it’s almost impossible to fit them all in.  Whether you enjoy biking, hiking or more adventurous activities like zip lining or wind surfing, you can do it here.  And set against such a beautiful and welcoming backdrop, when you’re done playing you can relax with a delectable meal and a glass of fine local wine, or stroll through the friendly streets of ancient villages.  Languedoc offers a little bit of everything to the venturesome traveler.

Lavender in Provence

When one envisions Provence, they often picture vineyards, sidewalk cafes and sleepy villages whose residents enjoy a slower of pace of life.  Provence is all of that and more.  Enjoy long, leisurely lunches under the shade of ancient oak trees, quiet walks along cobblestone streets, and visit peaceful villages with friendly, welcoming locals.  The food, the wine, the atmosphere – there’s so much to love about this beautiful French region.  Spring is a lovely season to spend in Provence, enjoying the abundant sun without the sting of the summer heat.  One of the best reasons to visit Provence in the spring is that it’s when the brilliant fields of lavender are in full bloom.

Background

The vibrant colors and heavenly scent of lavender have made it a favorite plant the world over for hundreds of years.  In fact, harvesting of the plant has been done since the 16^th century, back when it was all painstakingly picked by hand.  There are a number of different varieties of lavender found throughout the world, with the Provence variety boasting a rich purple color and growing to around 2 feet in height.  Its flower wand is long and slender, and the buds are easily removed from the stalk making it ideal for dried bud collecting.  To this day, some rows of Provence lavender are still picked by hand, keeping long-held tradition alive.

When to See It

The lavender that grows in Provence typically blooms from late June through August.  Depending on the region, harvesting is usually done from the middle of July through late August.  If you’re planning to head to Provence and would like to enjoy the magnificent lavender when it is in full bloom, your best bet is to plan a visit sometime between mid-June and mid-July, as that is when the flowers will be most vibrant and fragrant.

Uses

Aside from looking and smelling beautiful, lavender also has many practical uses.  It can be used as an ingredient to add a floral, slightly sweet flavor to dishes.  Many of the local Provencal shops feature a variety of lavender products for sale, such as dried lavender, soap, perfume and even lavender honey.  There are also a number of festivals dedicated to the flourishing plant which are typically held in July and August.  Festival attendees can purchase soaps, essential oils, dried bouquets, lavender honey and a number of edible treats including mouthwatering lavender crepes.

The Provence region of France is one of the most beautiful places in the world, filled with lovely landscapes, quaint villages and delectable food and wine.  People flock from all over the globe to this peaceful, welcoming place where they can relax and enjoy the simpler things in life.  One of the most incredible sights and experiences is watching rolling fields of brilliant lavender sway in the warm, pleasant spring breezes.  Now’s the best time to plan your visit, so what are you waiting for?