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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,
Category Archives: Culture
PHILIP HUGHES: THE LIGHT OF THE LUBERON
From his house in Ménerbes, the British painter Philip Hughes infuses his canvases with the searing light of the Luberon, illuminating the contrasts of the rich verdant valley nestled among impassioned rugged mountains. His landscapes are inspired by the soothing … Continue reading
VIENS: CHAPELLE SAINT-FERREOL
A Norwegian nursery rhyme played by the virtuoso pianist and composer Jean-François Zygel closed out a delightful evening of improvisations and other compositions at the Chapelle Saint-Ferréol. Mr. Zygel, a professor at the Paris Conservatory and the winner of the … Continue reading
AVIGNON: EVOCATIONS OF CHOPIN
Three talented pianists will be playing the works of Frédéric Chopin in the garden of the Musée Louis Vouland in Avignon: Tuesday, August 24: Ludovic Selmi Thursday, August 26: Edna Stern Saturday, August 28: Dana Ciocarlie Basics: Dates / Times: … Continue reading
JESSICA LANGE’S PHOTOS ON EXHIBIT
In his biography of Henri Cartier-Bresson, Pierre Assouline notes that the photographer felt like a thief when taking shots. In effect, Cartier-Bresson conceived of himself as stealing images away from strangers. This perception reasserts itself when one examines the darkly-textured … Continue reading
THE “MOBILE” ART OF ANTOINE MOREAU
“Avez vous remarqué que journaliste commence par la même lettre que justicier?” “Alphaville,” Jean-Luc Godard The letter J? Number 769? The setting: On the lawn of the Hotel Les Ateliers de l’Image in St. Remy Provence during the sumptuous vernissage … Continue reading