French la Vie

 

 

A VIEW OF THE DAY.

In France that means it starts with a walk to the bakery for a baguette. But I had a brioche because, why not. We walked across the street to a classic old time cafe on the corner and had hot chocolate to go with our brioche. You see often bakeries in France do not have coffee or a place to sit. And cafes might not have baked goods. So you can buy one and go to the other. I prefer that. Pick the best brioche, and pick the best hot chocolate, or view.

 

 

French Husband had a morning meeting in Marseille. I tagged along. That is his shadow in the distance. When French Husband went to his meeting, I walked throughout the Panier neighborhood. As you can see parking the car is a pain.

 

 

After work, especially on the weekend, the reward is the pleasure. We headed towards the countryside. Crillion le Brave to be exact. Not far, but oh my, the view of the day was as if we went around the world. Beautiful. French Husband said, "Is there anywhere that you do not find it beautiful?" It did not say it to be rude, but more surprised that I always am happy on the go. I confessed that there are some places better than others. And or for different reasons, each place could be beautiful. But Crillion le Brave seems to have it all.

From Crillion le Brave we drove to Le Barroux, another stunning village with an incredible fortress, magnificent views and impeccably homes dating to the 1300s.

 

 

 

Changing color of the vineyard,

soil rich with sunlight, rock and years of toil.

The rocky Dentelle Mountains, Dentelle means Lace.

 

 

 

Stone houses.

Small windows.

Hundreds of years old.

 

 

 

 

Le Barroux like Crillion le Brave and many other Provencal villages are saturated in the summer by tourists. Though when summer fades and winter pushes ahead these towns are vacant as if ghost towns, silent and photogenic still lifes.

Off season is the unbeaten track.

 

 

 

Thierry's (Yann's business partner's) parents gave us a weekend away to le Crillion le Brave as a thank you for helping their son in his painful time. It has taken us two years to accept their offer.

 

 As we entered into our weekend. We gave thanks to friendship, for healing, for faithfulness, good fortune, for health, for those moments that keep us true to the path…

Thank you Mr. and Mrs G. you really didn't need to do this…