Lourmarin

Friday, 19 July

Maree and I have decided that we love Lourmarin - superb village and not perched on top of a mountain!  Great for walking.  Despite its popularity with foodies (heaps of restaurants), it does not have the feel of tourist central.  Postcards available but not a souvenir shop in sight.  Today we had an "at home" day - necessary once in a while and gave the car a bit of a rest (perhaps I should say, the driver). 

Lourmarin

Lourmarin has a very large and very popular market every Friday which spreads through several of its pretty streets and takes over the village square.  We could hear the cars arriving in our peaceful section of town - parking on every spare bit of grass available - car parks fill up quickly.  Must say we felt a bit smug as we strolled down our lane to check out the market - like locals!

Lourmarin Market


Well, it was wall-to-wall people but like St-Remy, the vibe was good and the range of goods on sale was extensive.  I queued up to buy some apricots -the flavour and juiciness is amazing and sorry everyone but I scoffed half the bag before I reached home. A nice treat!  Also purchased some green olive tapenade - delicious with a few hunks of brie, some crackers and a glass of wine.  The markets of Provence are much the same in each town but I love just wandering about, sampling the cheese, looking at the pretty things and soaking up the atmosphere.  It was nice to be able to stroll home when we were all marketed out!

Saucisson - so many varieties - Lourmarin market

 Lunch on the terrace and then Maree and I went for a walk through Lourmarin and out into the countryside.  We kind of circumnavigated the edge of the village, picking some shady roads with beautiful views.  The fields around Lourmarin are planted with olives and grape vines and the oleanders are flowering profusely at the moment - I never thought much of these plants but here they are huge and absolutely covered with intensely coloured blooms. 

Lourmarin Church amongst the olives

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The sound of cicadas fills the air - no wonder they seem to be  some kind of regional mascot.  The souvenir shops sell dozens of cicada items!  I have yet to see a real one.  Anyway they all seem to be very happy, chirping away in the  sunshine!

Country walk, near Lourmarin

 I think we have walked every street in Lourmarin - it doesn't take long - so it was home for a bit of chilling out and a bottle of our favourite chardonnay.  This evening we decided to celebrate our final night in Lourmarin by having dinner in one of the local restaurants.

Which restaurant to choose?

 The village was humming with people and sitting outdoors in the centre, surrounded by the sounds of happy diners, the aroma of delicious food and the sight of the evening light on the ancient honey-coloured buildings was pure pleasure. We downed yet another bottle of wine, a local rose this time, and I must admit to being mildly tipsy by the time we walked back to the house - I would have failed the "straight line" test I am sure.  We will be sorry to leave our lovely Lourmarin house but are looking forward to our next  destination, the seaside town of Cassis.

Lourmarin Chateau

Lourmarin Chateau and Church - walking in the countryside

Strolling home under the trees - Lourmarin