You're dreaming of spending a vacation in sunny Provence? Staying in one of those typical hilltop towns where history just oozes off the walls every corner you turn? Sipping your pastis in the village square letting the hot afternoon go by at the sound of a refreshing fountain? We'd like to propose to you some smashing holiday rentals in the very heart of Provence between the Mt.Ventoux and the Luberon mountains. All of our houses are ideally located for
	visiting Provence with towns like Gordes, Menerbes, Roussillion, Avignon and St-Remy-de-Provence. The Mediterrenean (Cassis) is only 75km. away.

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	LOCAL MARKETS
	THE FRIDAY MORNING MARKET IN BONNIEUX       This time we decided on the market in Bonnieux because Apt would be to busy with it's annual Corso (Fair).The Friday morning market in Bonnieux would be just perfect to do our shopping for the weekend. It's always a pleasure to make that trip from Saignon to Bonnieux over the 'plateau des Claparèdes', a 15 minute drive through lavender fields with stunning views on the Mont Ventoux. With it being so early in the season as this (May 28th), parking in Bonnieux proved to be no problem. A nice and crispy morning, with the sun already warm, first thing to do of course was to have our 'café crême' on the terrace of the bar' Le Ferrail', just behind the market stands and overlooking the plain in the direction of La Coste (there appears to be some major construction work going on at the castle of La Coste: something to be investigated soon).     The Bonnieux market is very small. It is nothing like the markets in Apt or St. Remy, for example, but it's small size gives it an intimacy hard to find in other places. Most of the market takes place on the Place Gambetta, a small tree lined square with a beautiful view. The streets leading towards the square also form part of the market. The products offered at the market are just the right blend of 'tourist stuff', like hats, scarves, soaps or hand made jewellery and food from local producers. We were able to find all we needed for our Sunday lunch, a lovely 'salade mesclun' with edible flowers from a biological farmer, some of the last white and green asparagus of this season and a kilo of the first 'burlat' cherries from a local producer. Also worth mentioning is an amazing spices stand run by J. Claude, makes you feel like you're in the souk of Marrakech. The ambiance was enhanced by the musical entertainment created by Muriel & Stephane who sing nostalgic 'chansons françaises'.     Looking at all this food with the sun getting warmer and warmer makes you hungry and thirsty. Luckily there is plenty of choice for a nice lunch in Bonnieux. We'd like to mention la Cavette (0490758862, closed on wednesday), romantic atmosphere with a vaulted area inside just down a side street from the market with a mixture of French and Belgian cooking and, of course, the well known 'le Fournil' (0490758362,closed Monday/Tuesday and Saturday at lunch time) on the main street just above the market with a very nice terrace, French cuisine , a little bit expensive but the atmosphere is always good and your eyes also want something to look at!Having returned by the beautiful road which leads from Bonnieux to Apt, we were happy to be back at the poolside but very pleased about our trip. We're already planning our 'next' market.          home

Sejours & Provence  *    *  wim.simone@wanadoo.fr