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PROVENCE: GEOGRAPHY MATTERS
“Provence” has more efficacy as a "brand" than as a place. One rarely if ever hears any residents of the Vaucluse say that they live in "Provence." The word is heard frequently in its adjectival form: provençal.
As geography, the term "Provence" suffers abuse. The French consider contemporary 'Provence' to take in three administrative department:
- Vaucluse
- Bouches-du-Rhône
- Alpes-de-Haute-Provence
Confusion pops up due to the administrative region PACA: Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur.
When "Provence" is employed for the department of the Var (Toulon, St, Tropez) or the department of the Alpes-Maritime (Côte d'Azur) or even the five departments of the Languedoc-Roussillon, it is the "brand" asserting itself.
This is a regional distinction that Peter Mayle buys into 100% in his book Provence A-Z. In fact, if Mayle had been 'geographically-correct,' his iconic best seller would have been titled "A Year in the Luberon."
The Luberon and the Comtat Venaissin, referred to as the “Comtat,” are the two large regions within the Vaulcuse,
Author Archives: BB Kuett
Lumières: John Malkovich Serves Up His Singular Fashions to the Luberon Smart Set Along With Pizza in a Box
Pierre Cardin in sneakers, and Chantal Thomass making a voguish splash It’s a balmy Saturday evening in Provence, July 20: at 6:00 p.m. outside the green iron gates of the Château de l’Ange in the hameau of Lumières where fashionable … Continue reading
Ménerbes: Brown Foundation Fellows Program at the Dora Maar House Fetes its Summer Residents
Perched on the hillside of Ménerbes, stands the large proud serene edifice of the Dora Maar House. Stretching out before it is a panoramic of manicured geometric shapes – countless lush tones of green – of vineyards and farm land, … Continue reading
Shutters / Volets: The True Colors of Provence in the Viewfinder of Indra Van Regemorter
Volets: count the colors splashed on shutters that animate the landscape of Provence. Patches of bright spots abound. Some villages or neighborhoods color-coordinate their shutters, And some shutters age naturally, taking on a faded worn patina. How could Peter Mayle … Continue reading
SCAD In Paris: “Little Black Dress” Exhibit Curated by Vogue’s André Leon Talley at Mona Bismarck American Center Until Sept. 22
Audrey Hepburn in the Opening Shot of Breakfast at Tiffany’s An apocryphal tale: Dressed in fashionable black, Gabrielle Chanel encountered fellow designer Paul Poiret who was compelled by her dark habit to inquire for whom she was in mourning for. … Continue reading
Lacoste: The Light Palace in Venice, ‘Une Grande Passion’ of Pierre Cardin, Is Officially Canceled
“Among the many strange things that have befallen Venice, she has had the good fortune to become the object of a passion to a man of splendid genius, who has made her his own, and in doing so has made … Continue reading
Summer Warm Wine Warning: Quaff the Region’s Red Wines at Proper Temps – 15-17°C / 59-63°F
Keep it cool! The Ice Bag is a red wine lover’s accoutrement du jour in the Southern Rhone. A summertime mis-en-scene: your waiter uncorks a bottle of red wine from a quality winery, one you ordered with conviction as a wine … Continue reading
Venasque: An American Haven in the Vaucluse; Festive Friday Summer Evening Market
“Sophie and I heard about Venasque, which is thirty miles from Avignon, from a writer friend who spoke about that perched village with all the vividness that fills her fiction. When we arrived in Venasque in the fall of 1980, … Continue reading
Lourmarin: Peter Mayle’s Unavoidably Poignant Dedication to Winemaker Allen Chevalier in “The Marseille Caper”
When PVB commented on a restaurant mentioned in “The Marseille Caper,” a few readers inquired about the background of Allen Chevalier, the object of Peter Mayle’s unavoidably poignant dedication: “To the loving memory of Allen Chevalier, A good friend who … Continue reading
Roussillon: Samuel Beckett House in the Luberon Where He Engaged in His Craft and Aided French Resistance
“Pourtant nous avons été ensemble dans le Vaucluse, j’en mettrais ma main au feu. Nous avons fait les vendanges, tiens, chez un nommé Bonnelly, à Roussillon.” En attendant Godot, Samuel Beckett In addressing Estragon, Vladimir is channeling the author’s days … Continue reading