Another Day of Wandering, Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur, France

We made a loop today from our base in L'Isle-sur-la-Sorgue to Oppede, Oppede le Vieux, Ménerbes, Lacoste, Coustellet, and return. After passing through Oppede, this beautiful vineyard setting was another of those slam-on-the-brakes moments. Notice the castle and church on the hillside town in the distance just right of center.  It is Oppede le Vieux and I'll take you there next image.

In Oppede le Vieux, it's a pretty sleepy town this time of year. No, the dog is not lying dead in the road.  He just needed a nap on the sun-warmed cobblestones. Don't we all sometimes?

A stylin' world renowned photographer (Amy Davies) is strolling the steep cobble streets of Oppede le Vieux scouting locations.

Another drop-dead gorgeous view today with snow capped Mont Ventoux on the distant horizon.

 Same view but a panorama - click on the image to view in full width.

Lunch was in Ménerbes where the adjacent table created this scene in glassware: nine separate containers: two water glasses, two wine glasses, two champagne glasses, two carafes of wine, and one carafe of water. They appeared to be two businessmen - I don't know how they went back to work after a lunch like that but, it is what it is.

In Lacoste, trying unsuccessfully to find a place to eat lunch, I passed this great mailbox.  A "chien" translates as "dog" in English.  You can guess the rest.

I have passed a small stone fieldhouse along the road driving through Coustellet at least a half dozen times enroute to somewhere else and have wanted to stop for a photo but something was always wrong - the light, the visibility, the wind, the traffic, nowhere to pull over - anyway, I stopped this time and was glad I did.  

Ménerbes, Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur, France

For our first field trip from our home base in L'Isle-sur-la-Sorgue, we headed into the hills of the Luberon to the incredibly charming village of Ménerbes. 

A friendly local.

Stone houses, stone streets, and terracotta roof tiles - all constants in Provence.

I think I'd like to have a front door this color. Hmmmmm?

As Amy demonstrates, sitting quietly with eyes closed in a sunny corner on a cool winter's day is the best possible way to spend a few moments.

Looking out on the beautiful agricultural land below the town.

A view northward toward the Plateau de Vaucluse and Mont Ventoux.

Similar view over fields that have been bearing produce, wine, and lavender for many generations.

A typical Provence farm - grape vines, a stone farmhouse, terracotta roof tiles, and colorful wooden shutters.

This interesting tiny house perched on the edge looks like it's been there a while. I bet that's a pretty cool place to call home - assuming the main side not visible is full of window glass.

Wood shutters are the standard design on most houses I've seen here. And they actually are functional, unlike most shutters in the U.S. that are usually attached in place just for the cosmetic look.

These small villages with steep streets mean that you can only bring home the groceries that you can carry yourself in one trip.

Like many properties in these gorgeous towns, this house is for sale.  Prices are high due to strong demand from out-of-towners and foreigners.

This was one of those slam-on-the-brakes sights along the road back home after the day in Ménerbes - a stone field house nestled within an orchard.

Provence is as beautiful as I've always heard - and we're just beginning to explore. I realized while wandering around this picturesque town today that I am very fortunate to be a member in mobile health of the retired person's club.  To celebrate our good fortune, we ordered a 25cl carafe of wine for lunch that was called, "Vin du Moment," which, I guess means literally, "wine of the moment." Great name - really cracked me up laughing!  (The French version of "Two-Buck-Chuck?")