Tulips grown in the Vaucluse for sale in Holland.

We just returned from a short sojourn in Provence after an unusually long absence for us. Sadly, this was the longest time between visits since we bought our home in Sablet in 2008. 

One of our favorite things about Provence are the fields of flowers and orchard blossoms that we find at various times of the year. There are orchards with cherry blossoms in April and early May all around the village of Venasque.

Then, red poppies, known as Coquelicots in France, make their appearance in May. Coquelicots generally grow wild rather than cultivated so you never know where you are going to come across them as you drive around Provence.

Lavender, the most famous flowering plant in Provence, blooms from mid-June to late July depending upon elevation. Sunflowers adorn the landscape from late June to the end of July and are typically harvested in August.

A few years back, we discovered that tulips are grown around Jonquieres, a small village about 20 minutes from Sablet. I am not sure if one person owns all the land where they are planted as the location of the tulip fields changes year to year.  

Dutch tulip farmers outsource growing bulbs to farmers in Provence. While the flowers are still in full bloom, they cut the flower with a lawn mower type machine to save the plant's energy for the bulbs.  The first few times we passed by the tulip fields, it did not appear that they sold any flowers. Now, signs indicate flowers are for sale.  

Since the tulips are in bloom in early spring, from late March to early April, we headed out one recent morning toward Jonquieres to see if any tulips were in bloom. The following pictures are what we found.

Jonquieres tulip field

We have been told that tulips are also grown in the triangle between Lurs, Forcalquier and La Brillanne in the Department of Alpes-de-Haute-Provence. Maybe the next time we are in Sablet in late March, we will head here to explore this area. 

Jonquieres tulip field

Jonquieres tulip field

Jonquieres tulip field

Jonquieres tulip field

Jonquieres tulip field

Another flowering plant we see at this time of year is Colza, in English, Rape Seed. The plant is grown to produce oil for cooking and industrial processes. In the United States, we know the edible version of this oil as canola oil. 

Field of Colza (Rape Seed)

Watch this blog for new posts about visits to new restaurants and villages during our most recent visit to Sablet.

www.sablethouse.com 

Tulips in the Vaucluse put on a dazzling display of color near Jonquieres.

We are back in Sablet after an unusually long absence for us. One of the highlights of our sojourns in Provence, are the flowers that you find in various seasons of the year. 

You can see cherry orchards in bloom in April and early May around the Plus Beaux Village of Venasque. The time to enjoy their fruit is late May to early July. 

Then Shirley's favorites, bright red poppies, known in France as Coquelicots make their appearance in fields in May. The Coquelicots grow wild rather than cultivated so you can never tell where you will find them. 

Lavender, the most famous flowers to be seen in Provence, bloom from mid-June to mid to late July, depending upon elevation. Sunflowers bloom from late June to the end of July and are typically harvested in August. 

Back in 2010, I was surprised to discover fields of tulips growing near Violes, a small village near Sablet. I was surprised because we had never seen fields of tulips or read about them in any of the various guidebooks I have perused over the years. 

Since now is the time of the year when the tulips bloom, we went out to look for them on our first day back. We went to the area where we have seen them previously. Nothing! So, we made inquiries in Sablet, and discovered the tulips were growing in a different field farther from Sablet, near Jonquieres. 

So yesterday, we went out again and were happy to find multi-colored rows of tulips alongside the Route de Carpentras into Jonquieres, with views of Mont Ventoux in the distance. 

Tulip field near Jonquieres with view of Mont Ventoux

I grew up in Southwestern Michigan about one hour south of Holland, Michigan. An annual field trip in elementary school was our trip to Holland, Michigan to see the tulips.

Tulip field near Jonquieres

I learned back in 2010 that these tulips are not grown to be sold as cut flowers by floral shops or vendors at weekly markets that occur throughout France. 

Tulip field near Jonquieres

Rather, these tulips are grown for export to the Netherlands. In a few days, the flowers will be cut by a lawn mower type machine to save the bulbs. The bulbs will be harvested and shipped to the Netherlands. 

Tulip field near Jonquieres

Tulip field near Jonquieres

Tulip field near Jonquieres

Tulip field near Jonquieres

If you are going to be in the Vaucluse during the month of April, keep your eyes out for fields of multi-colored rows of tulips.

If you are planning a trip to the South of France, we would be honored if you would consider making our house in Sablet your home for your sojourn. We have weeks available in May and June, July 23 to August 5, and August 12 to September 2. Please reach out to me for information about availability and rental rates. www.sablethouse.com 

Sheep take over the streets of Jonquières during the Fête de la Transhumance

We decided last fall that our next sojourn in Sablet would be in May so we could be there for the Fête de la Transhumance in Saint Remy. It was our understanding that the Fête de la Transhumance in Saint Remy takes place every 3rd Monday in May.

Shortly before we arrived in Sablet, we discovered that either we were mistaken about the date for this Transhumance or the date was changed this year, because it was scheduled to take place on the 4th Monday of May; one day after we were leaving to return to California.

Those of you who have been to our now closed Bistro Des Copains in Occidental, California or followed this blog from my first post here, know I have a thing for sheep. So we (I) were really disappointed we were going to miss the Fête de la Transhumance.

For those of you who don't know, the Transhumance is the seasonal movement of sheep between the low-land pastures and the mountain meadows. In the summer, the movement towards the mountains begins in late Spring. When the first snows begin in October, the flocks begin their descent back to the winter pastures in the low-lands.

In earlier times, the flocks were herded by shepherds and their dogs, and had time to get acclimated to the change in altitude during the journey. Today, most flocks are moved by large, double-tiered, trucks. The spring transfer towards higher altitudes is celebrated every year with traditional Fête de la Transhumance in several towns and villages, of which Saint Remy's is the most famous.

The shepherds, up in the hills following the Spring Transhumance, need to eat, and they need someone to get food to them. In times past, tired men and heavily burdened donkeys arrived at the high pastures loaded down with provisions for the shepherds. Today much of the provisioning to the mountain pastures is done by helicopter.

Four weeks ago, we were dining with guests at our home including our friend Barbara from Cuisine de Provence and her charming husband Robert when Barbara said "a Fête de la Transhumance is taking place in Jonquières tomorrow morning." We decided right then that we would go. Barbara recommended that we wear old shoes, for obvious reasons.

Jonquières Town Hall

Jonquières is a non-descript town with a population of 4,702 about 14 km from Sablet which we know well as the town we pass through on a regular basis on the back roads between the A7 exit in Orange and Sablet.

Jonquières street

When we got to Jonquières we discovered this was the 19th Fête de la Transhumance there. They were expecting more than 2000 sheep to cross the town along with their shepherds, horses, dogs and donkeys. The pictures which follow show sights from the day.

A display of ancient professions in Provence

More ancient professions in Provence

Ladies in costume

A marching band arrives

The band formed a circle in the center of town and played for the gathering crowd

The leader of the band

Some people were moved to dance

This gentleman and his street organ were pushed aside by the band

Streets cleared for the arrival of the sheepherders and their sheep

The sheepherders lead their sheep through town

One of the sheepherders

Sheep on the Transhumance

Sheep on the Transhumance

One of only a few rams we spottted

Sheep on the Transhumance

Sheep on the Transhumance

Sheep on the Transhumance

One of only a few brown sheep we spotted

Sheep on the Transhumance

Sheep on the Transhumance

Sheep on the Transhumance

Sheep on the Transhumance

Sheep on the Transhumance

Another ram on the Transhumance

A sheepherder surveys his flock

Sheepherders bring up the rear of the procession

This couple depict sheep farmers in times past

The donkey is loaded with supplies they will need for the trek up to the mountain pastures

A horse pulls a wagon

Horse in harness

A man showing how calligraphy was done during Medieval times

A gladiator and his tools

Women in ancient Provençale costumes do needle point

We thoroughly enjoyed being part of the festivities. Barbara's advice to wear old shoes was right on point. All those sheep drop a lot of poop and pee as they journey through the town. Talk about slipping and sliding.

I did some research and discovered that the Fête de la Transhumance in Saint Remy is always celebrated on Whit Monday, a national holiday on Monday following Pentecost Sunday. Pentecost Sunday always falls seven weeks after Easter.

Have a great week. Chat soon.