Coquelicots in Provence

One of the images depicted most often in photographs, paintings, pottery, post cards and linens you see in the shops and village markets of Provence are the coquelicot (ko-klee-ko), red poppies that bloom throughout the countryside during May and June.

Shirley loves flowers and one of her wishes during our trip to Sablet was to see and photograph coquelicot. The coquelicot of Provence are a striking red color with 4 to 6 petals and seemingly grow wild everywhere.

The coquelicot is one of a group of flowering plants that belong to the poppy family. Most species are cultivated as ornamental plants and a few have uses for drugs and food. The opium poppy is grown for opium and poppy seeds for use in baking. The yellow California poppy is the state flower of California.

Coquelicot appear to grow wild and can be spotted in numerous places near our house in Sablet including the field near Tavel shown below.



We also spotted coquelicot growing between the rows of grapes in a vineyard on the road to Carpentras.



A field of coquelicot growing in a field on the road to Seguret. Seguret, one of the Plus Beaux Villages de France can be seen in the distance.



Coquelicot growing in a field near the junction of the road to Violes and the road to Cairanne.



Coquelicot add to the natural beauty at Clos Sainte Magdeleine winery in Cassis.