When you first visit this region of France it will not be easy to choose the «most-most». Not an easy but exciting challenge is before the guests of Provence: to find the most interesting for yourself!
Initially, almost all small towns in Provence will certainly seem you alike as close relatives (ancient cobbled streets, small houses under a light-coloured tile roofs, landscaped gardens, lavender fields and hills where a clock tower, an old castle or a church are located most often).
But each of the cities and settlements has a «ginger».
For example, in the tiny Saint-Paul-de-Vence there are so many art galleries (and the works of art they contain) «per capita» that it could easily «compete» with many cultural capitals of the world.
Those collecting antiquities are advised to go to Fayence to the antique fair. Here you can find «whatever you want» - from jewellery and silver cutlery to furniture of the 18th century.
If you are interested not only in antiques, visits to museums, in the entertainment of a different kind, in Grasse - the perfume «capital» of France – you will be made a personal aroma of fragrant essential oils of lavender, rose and jasmine. (And museums, but also of perfume, are here also, each perfume house has its own one!).
The amateurs of mushrooming are advised to plan their trip to Provencefor the period from November to March. This is the season of truffles! (However, in restaurants in Lorgues all the year round you will be always served with refreshments, hot meal and... dessert with «French» black truffle. It is – the «high spot» of Provencal culinary program!).
Yet, it is the beginning of autumn that is associated in Provence with gathering of mushrooms and, of course, with the «truffle hunting». So, a little bit about these delicious mushrooms, the mere name of which sounds to many like music – the truffles.
There are only a few places in Europe where the main gathering of the «underground treasure» is carried out: the white truffle - in Italy and Alba, and the black ones, the Périgord truffles – in France.
Yes, these fleshy underground mushrooms are not harvested like any other. They are hunted, and various animals are taken as «helpers» – dogs, pigs or bears... ! The fact is that the truffle is the owner of a fairly strong smell – it is it that the animals smell. But some very experienced «truffle hunters» got the hand to find mushrooms under the ground without the animals finding their location by the places where the midges are actively skitting.
But each of the cities and settlements has a «ginger».
For example, in the tiny Saint-Paul-de-Vence there are so many art galleries (and the works of art they contain) «per capita» that it could easily «compete» with many cultural capitals of the world.
Those collecting antiquities are advised to go to Fayence to the antique fair. Here you can find «whatever you want» - from jewellery and silver cutlery to furniture of the 18th century.
If you are interested not only in antiques, visits to museums, in the entertainment of a different kind, in Grasse - the perfume «capital» of France – you will be made a personal aroma of fragrant essential oils of lavender, rose and jasmine. (And museums, but also of perfume, are here also, each perfume house has its own one!).
The amateurs of mushrooming are advised to plan their trip to Provencefor the period from November to March. This is the season of truffles! (However, in restaurants in Lorgues all the year round you will be always served with refreshments, hot meal and... dessert with «French» black truffle. It is – the «high spot» of Provencal culinary program!).
Yet, it is the beginning of autumn that is associated in Provence with gathering of mushrooms and, of course, with the «truffle hunting». So, a little bit about these delicious mushrooms, the mere name of which sounds to many like music – the truffles.
There are only a few places in Europe where the main gathering of the «underground treasure» is carried out: the white truffle - in Italy and Alba, and the black ones, the Périgord truffles – in France.
Yes, these fleshy underground mushrooms are not harvested like any other. They are hunted, and various animals are taken as «helpers» – dogs, pigs or bears... ! The fact is that the truffle is the owner of a fairly strong smell – it is it that the animals smell. But some very experienced «truffle hunters» got the hand to find mushrooms under the ground without the animals finding their location by the places where the midges are actively skitting.
