Ice Cream in the Luberon Countryside of Provence!

Does your family LOVE ice cream! Mine does. So a trip to L'art Glacier on a hot Provencal summer afternoon provides just the thing to lift spirits and provoke wonderful memories!

L'Art Glacier is set on a hilltop overlooking the vineyards of the southern Luberon and the chateau at Ansouis. They make all their own ice cream, right there on the hilltop, and serve it up in the most delightfully artistic glass art bowls. The menu is literally a photo album of the ice creams, sorbets, and sundaes they can make for you. Dozens of flavors of ice cream and sorbets, and any combination you can imagine is yours for the asking. The sundaes are BIG and sometimes our grandson needs a bit of help from Grampy to finish his.Such a sacrifice!

They do have a lovely inside dining room, but the terrasse, under the trees and umbrellas, next to the fountain is always our favorite spot. And they sell ice cream for take-out too, though getting it home intact is sometimes a problem. Watch the driver to see whether he leaves your house/hotel with a spoon in hand!

What a wonderful way to bring the family together in something everyone will enjoy...even the teenagers!!

Explore Ruins of Fort de Buoux in the Luberon!

High atop the Luberon range in Provence sits the Fort de Buoux, one of many that were built during the middle-ages and in the centuries since. This fort makes an especially good visit for families because of efforts to preserve and label the ruins. Our family has scrambled around the ruins several times and, over a picnic lunch near the old roman church ruins at the top end, our grandchildren have acted out impromptu plays in their own versions of what life must have been like when the fort was occupied by families. It sits along the crest of a ridge from which you can see gorgeous panoramic views! Rarely have we seen more than a dozen other visitors there, let alone a “crowd.”

It is easy to find web sites describing the history of this site, and most of these have English language options. (If not, try pasting the French text into www.babylon.com for free translations.)

From Buoux it is possible to take a number of different walks through the valley (Aiguebrun), one of which goes through the hamlet of Sivergues. In Sivergues, adjacent to the small church, is the cave-like shop of Sophie Mus, the bee-keeper and honey maker. If the shop door is closed, ring the bell and she will appear from home around the corner. Delicious tasting and small jars for sale right there along side the honeycombs!

Fort de Buoux is about 10 kms (12 minutes) south-east from the lovely hilltop village of Bonnieux and about 2km from the village of Buoux. From Bonnieux, follow D36, then D943, then D113 (near the end, follow signs for the Auberge des Seguins or the Fort).

A token fee of 3Euros (children under 7 are free) helps support the upkeep and the small visitors center at the entrance. It is open every day, sunrise to sunset, except during very bad weather. Good walking shoes are important. Shaded parking is at the bottom of the hill; a shady path slopes upward and around to the back side of the hill where you find the garden that marks the entrance to the fort (about 15 minute walk).

A wonderful outdoor adventure for children of all ages! Be sure to carry a picnic!

Boats in Provence at Cucuron!

Every summer (August 3, 2008) the village of Cucuron at the southern foot of the Luberon hosts a 'regatta' on the lovely pond (etang) near the center of town. Sailboats, yachts, tall ships, even submarines have a category for competition. Over 150 models in all will be working through their paces by remote control to the delight of young and old boat-lovers gathered around the pond.

The event is free and open to the public, scheduled to run from 10am to 6pm. The best seats are right on the pond's edge, where the bar and restaurant set out plenty of extra tables and chairs!

What better way to spend a Sunday in Provence! By the pond in Cucuron, under the shady plane trees, sipping local wine (or orangina), having lunch while the boats glide past.

OliveBranchTraders

A Vide Grenier is for Bargain Shopping!

All through the year, particularly May-September, the villages of Provence host yard sales which they call "Vide Grenier" (translates to: empty the attic). These normally take place on weekends; morning is the best time to go.

These sales are normally filled with books, toys, puzzles, games, clothes for kids; antiques, collectibles, clothes and fun for adults! Carry along a pocketful of coins: 20 centimes, 50 centimes, 1 euro, and hold them out to the seller who will kindly choose appropriate amounts for your purchase. My personal upper limit is 3 euros (roughly $4.65 US)...

How do you find them? There are sites on the internet that list the schedules. My favorite is href="http://www.brocabrac.fr">http://www.brocabrac.fr

In Provence, you will find such events advertised locally on small posters, normally at intersections on the roads. There is a photo of such a poster above.

A wonderful day of people-watching, treasure-hunting, and family fun in Provence!
OliveBranchTraders

Bicycles! The Tour de France

This year the Tour de France bicycle race runs right through Provence on Saturday July 19 2008 from Nimes to Digne les Bains. The race will follow a lovely path through the villages and vineyards of the Apt valley along D900 and the entire route is open to the public!
Visit the morning market at Apt on Saturday, pack a picnic and find a spot along the route by noon. It should be possible to find a place right on the route to park your car; the plane trees that line the D900 will provide plenty of shade.

During the hour or two just before the riders arrive, the route hosts a "caravanne" of vans and "floats" tossing small promotional souvenirs to the crowd. In the past, we have come home with riding caps, key chains, coffee samples, and the like.

The route and time schedule are already online at href="http://www.letour.fr/2008" .

A wonderful family day in the Provencale countryside!
OliveBranchTraders