Provence Properties

Best time to see lavender in bloom

The lavender fields in Provence are guaranteed to take your breath away and awaken all your senses.  The color varies from violet to indigo and everything in between.

The first time I visited a lavender field I jumped out of the car and took off running, camera swinging from my neck in anticipation of documenting this moment I had dreamt of.   I stopped short of the field upon hearing a very loud, ominous BUZZ.  I focused my eyes on a single plant and there saw way too many  bees.  I had an instant of panic, but then remembered how long I had waited for this opportunity.  I decided to tip-toe into the field a short way and if any bees touched me, I'd turn the other direction and run like the wind. It didn't take long to realize that the bees were not the least bit interested in me. They were totally absorbed in the lavender. Whew!  Following their lead..I too, thought like a bee and became absorbed in the lavender.  What followed was indescribable.  I remember wishing that everyone could experience this...even just once. 

Lavender in Provence generally begins blooming mid to late June.  Harvesting commences early July.  Based on my experience, if you want to visit lavender fields, aim for the last week in June, first couple weeks in July.  Lavender fields dot the entire Luberon,  and the village of Sault is also a "must see" for some wonderful fields.  There is also a lavender-coop in Sault that sells plants, seeds, and other lavender related items. 

Certainly lavender is the Essence de Provence!

Click to see great products direct from Provence

Cezanne and Aix en Provence

Over a century ago, after trying to make his way as an artist in Paris and elsewhere, Paul Cézanne returned to his childhood surroundings. He was to stay there for the rest of his life, convinced that nowhere else could he find what he sought. This land of intense sensations impacted with the creative artist on a quest for truth, and the result was an astonishingly powerful body of work. Cézanne’s pictures, steeped in the light and atmosphere of the Provençal landscape around Aix, put the city on the international map as a site of unique value for its associations with the output of a genius. Aix-en-Provence and Cézanne have become inseparable.

Cézanne died in 1906 after making one last attempt to capture the beauty of Sainte-Victoire. This solitary man, so little cut out for brilliant artistic conversation in Paris drawing rooms, paced the red earth of Provence beneath the burning sun – his corner of Provence, a fierce, harsh land, massively shaped. His quest gave rise to profound works of art which altered the course of painting in the 20th century and transformed the image of Provence in the eyes of the world.

To mark the centenary, the city of Aix-en-Provence, the Community of the Pays d’Aix and the Ministry for Culture and Communication, in partnership with the Region of Provence-Alpes-Côte d’Azur and the Department of Bouches-du-Rhône, are joining forces to make 2006 a year tribute to Cézanne.

The exhibition Cézanne in Provence features 117 of the artist’s works, with 80 oil paintings (including The Large Bathers from the National Gallery, London, and numerous versions of Sainte-Victoire) and 30 water colors. All the paintings are closely associated with localities in and near Aix, making the event a celebration of Cézanne’s Provence – a splendid proof that his universal genius, which anticipated Cubism, Fauvism and abstract art, was firmly and inevitably rooted in his native land.
The exhibition will be in Aix en Provence

Friday 9 June to Sunday 17 September 2006

Musée Granet
Place Saint-Jean-de-Malte
F- 13100 Aix-en-Provence
During the exhibition, the museum is open every day from 9 am to 7 pm. Thursdays 9 am to 11 pm.
Ticket sales end one hour before closing.  For more information visit Cezanne in Aix 2006

Breathtaking Views Near Apt

When I started Provence Properties almost 5 years ago, I made a promise to myself that I would never get too busy or too big to not be able to visit each home I offer. I want to know the house as best I can and get a feel for the ambiance and character it has to share with its' guests.  It is also important to meet and understand the homeowner as well.  I believe this relationship between myself, client and homeowner is obligatory for good business.  Of course when the business started, there were only 6 houses on the site, so my promise was easy to keep. 

To date I've almost kept my promise.  Of the over 50 homes we currently offer, I have not visited 6 of them.  I have plans to do so this year in addition to adding more luxury accommodations. All of the properties we choose must meet a certain initial criteria.  We offer an array of homes, all of which are clean, well cared for, and offer clients a variety of choice locations for their Provence experience. Some houses stand out more than others based on my personal taste. These are not necessarily all luxury homes, these are the homes that give me shivers when I first enter the property, or offer views that take my breath away, or cause any other emotional reaction from me (I've been accused of many)

Maison de Maitre Apt is one of these homes.  This home is new to me this year. Deo and I had the pleasure of visiting this past March and I had my "ah ha" moment immediately upon passing through the iron gates. (a good sign)  Besides the home having a majestic first impression, the landscaping and panoramic views are incredible. (and this was in March when nothing was in bloom!) I can only imagine the front garden in Summer!  Lavender lines the front walk and the entire property (25 acres) is tastefully landscaped with indiginous trees and plantings. Imagine picking your own cherries from the cherry trees on the property.

Two of the three floors have been completely renovated and classically furnished with a modern twist. The third floor is closed for owners use only. The four bedrooms and 3 bathrooms are designed to accommodate 8 people, but there is also a bunk bed in the twin bedroom, so ten people would also be possible. The artwork and decor is very tasteful and I found myself reacting much as I do when watching fireworks...alot of "oohs and ahhs" The overall feeling in this home is very bright, due to the large number of windows and bright/light colors throughout. There is also a very comfortable feel about this home.  It's been meticulously cared for and is filled with many happy memories.

The 12 x 4 meter swimming pool is surrounded by a wooden deck and invites you to enjoy the magical Provence sun in complete privacy.  An outside terrace just outside the kitchen is perfect for dining

Maison de Maitre Apt is ideally located minutes from the "don't miss" village of Apt.  This village bustles every Saturday with a wonderful market, and offers daily many choices in dining, shopping, galleries, and sightseeing. There are still some available weeks left in 2006, so please contact me if you are interested in experiencing your own "aha moment" Provence style.  Weekly pricing starts at $4,000 weekly with multiple week discounts available.  click on this link for more information.View Maison de Maitre Apt