France
High Provence
Hilltop villages of Provence
Credits: Photo by John Buss
Most of us, when thinking of
Provence, hone in on the hilltop
villages made famous by Peter Mayle's
book, A Year in Provence. Yet if you
travel up the Rhone valley to the more
northern parts, you will discover a host
of pretty towns and villages surrounded
by vineyards, lavender fields, close to
superb walking, and the Drome Mountains
this is a lovely place.
A good centre for your holiday is the
lovely little town of Grignan. Its
medieval castle, and beautiful façade,
dominates. The town is full of pretty
houses with flower-covered balconies and
narrow streets. There is a lovely lavoir
(public square) marked by a circle of
classical pillars. It is where the
townspeople did their washing in past
times. Close by is another pretty
village, Taulignan. This is still
surrounded by a ring of defensive stone
walls pierced by several turreted
gateways. Inside, you will find a maze
of winding streets and old houses. At
Valreas on St John's Day, there is a
colorful procession in the town.
Not much further away is another
township, Suze la Rousse, dominated by a
spectacular castle that has a beautiful
renaissance interior courtyard and rooms
with fine plasterwork and frescoes. The
town of Nyons is the centre of the
French olive industry. Do not think of
some manufacturing town; instead imagine
its lovely arcaded square and the
700-year-old bridge, which spans the
River Eygues in one high arch. After the
sightseeing, go walking in the hills and
mountains around. The high pastures will
be full of wild flowers from mid-May
until July. The higher you climb, the
later will the flowers be blooming.
You must see High Provence.