La deuche, un art de vivre

Depuis toute petite, Florence voue une passion pour les 2CV, elle a même appris à conduire sur les genoux de son grand-père avec une deuche ! En reconversion professionnelle, c’est tout naturellement qu’elle s’est lancé avec Franck, passionné lui aussi, dans la location de voiture : « 2CV en Provence » est né !

Avec une flotte de 11 véhicules aux prénoms originaux, aux couleurs différentes et avec des particularités propres à chacune, partez au volant de « Margaux », « Solange », « Irène » ou « Pistache »… des véhicules bichonnés avec soin et qui ont leur histoire ou anecdote : « Pistou », par exemple, est la « pichounette » de la tribu et son moteur est réglé comme une horloge ! Conduire de nouveau cette icone française va remémorer de vives émotions et de beaux souvenirs à ceux qui l’ont connu plus jeunes… Quant aux conducteurs « novices » : c’est une expérience unique à faire au moins une fois dans sa vie !

Florence et Franck vous révèleront tous les secrets pour prendre en main ces petits bolides et pour que votre exploration reste inoubliable !

Nous parions que vous vous voyez déjà à bord d’une 2CV décapotée, cheveux aux vents !?

The unexpected, ...

After hilltop villages, markets, ochres, there are still and always treasures to discover in this land of plenty. The company Blachère, world leader in illuminations, located in Apt, hosts a foundation of contemporary art.

The founder, Jean-Paul Blachère has managed to combine his two passions : Art and Africa.

The discovery is all the more remarkable as the Fondation Blachère voluntarily appears in a surprising place : the industrial area of ​​the city, close to the company.

The exhibition centre

Do not be surprised by the free entry. Art must be accessible to all; it is how the firm thinks.

Every year, exhibitions follow one another, all astonishing or moving, regardless of the medium, photo, sculpture, painting, ... The Foundation notices artists at the Biennale of Contemporary Art in Dakar, the Photographic Meetings in Bamako and of course, in the field. It finances rewards and residences.

The Lavender Museum

At the crossroads of the Luberon tourist routes, a traditional farmhouse invites you to discover the history of the true lavender of Provence. The Museum founded by the family Lincelé, lavender growers since 1890 allows to share know-how and passion of this queen flower. Today, Sophie and Jack surrounded by their team develop thematic tours and workshops to address the different uses of lavender in aromatherapy, perfumes, cooking and organic and natural cosmetics.

The place to be in the summer

Many activities for the whole family ! The program of the Fête votive announces it loud and clear. As a newcomer, I expect much more ! It's summer, the evening is sweet and I can hear a background noise.

Almost every village has its saint patron day. Originally, the fete was dedicated to the village patron saint : Saint Loup in Murs, Saint Louis in Ménerbes, Saint Jean-Baptiste in Joucas, Saint Etienne in Saint Saturnin lès Apt, Saint Symphorien in Bonnieux, ...

The bright decorations, the street lights, the laser effects, all attract me. But, I wonder where to begin. So, I'll go as I feel.

The children have already spotted the merry-go-round, teenagers look fo festive attractions, thrills guaranteed.

The funfair

At the fair, the music is in full swing. The stalls are colorful, happy, noisy. Games especially, hook-a-duck, riffle shooting, ... poor ducks. However, I win a bright fluffy toy for my little girl.

Fragrances of sugar, donuts, grilled sausages mix. The "chichi", the golden donut is essential. We have no choice, but taste it. Colourful lollipops, nougats, candy apples compete. The atmosphere does not weaken. Adults meet around the fete reception meal, a traditional "aioli", this time. I'm told it's a giant aioli with everything you need. A good appetite is recommended.

When the crowd dances

The open-air dance begins. Inhabitants and visitors of all generations gather as soon as the band plays. A child dances in the arms of his father, some girls and some boys give a collective show. The older ones are waiting for songs of the past. Everybody dances almost through the night.

For the young, village fetes are part of life, much like a rite of passage. For the older ones, it is a plain happiness shared in the respect of traditions and conviviality. It suits averyone.

Let's do it again tomorrow !

A morning take-off

The Colorado Provencal is still asleep. It is 6 a.m. but the early bird catches the worm.

In the middle of a field, Hervé Maucci spreads a 28 meters long canvas. The fans are turned on. And it grows and grows below the sun rise.

The passengers seem impatient: an entire hour flying over the ochers! It is a first for me... in a hot-air balloon. Since 1783, the brilliant Montgolfier brothers have given a dream to generations of adventurers and poets with a balloon.

I am reminded flame and heat will make it take off.

Everyone is aboard in the small vessel: a wicker basket that accommodates up to 12 people. Hervé the pilot starts the four burners, the ball rises slowly, very slowly. The ground is moving away, the sky is mine! No jerks, it is incredibly steady.

We can see the Luberon hilltop villages Rustrel, Caseneuve and its fortress, the lavender grid patterns, vineyards and wheat fields. Below, the colored ochers, hoodoos, cliffs as cut by a giant artist. Some early-morning walkers even wave to me!

We rise again, almost up to 1200 meters. It is so quiet, it seems barely real, the world is so small.

But time goes by. We are looking for an old field to land and the wind makes the decision (if necessary, the basket keeps propane reserves for more autonomy). Loosing altitude, we rely on the expertise of the pilot who knows how to fly using the air currents.

Vol-Terre car followed by road. The hot-air balloon lands with a surprising softness and we all happily take part in packing the gear. The sun is now up.

As a souvenir, Hervé gives everyone a beautiful flying diploma to exhibit home with pride!

As for me I am going to quickly look for a Jules Verne novel.

Secrets of distillation

Moreover, at the distillery, I was told that the heat favours the rise of oil in the flower. During distillation, the water vapor releases the essence contained in the glands. The first distillations were made with fire : the water was mixed with the flowers. Then, steam distillation arrived. And since from the 90s, to improve productivity, the technique "en vert broyé" was developped. The harvest is chopped in a containe directly mounted on the boiler. 100 to 120 kg are needed to obtain 1 kg of a golden yellow essence.

How about a real family outing?

Ready?

Let’s go to the  Colorado Provencal with mom and dad!

Before leaving: cowboy hat and bottle of water needed... but above all: no white sneakers! You will be thankful upon return.

At first, an intense green forest, where Indians and outlaws are lurking, but little by little colors are revealed.

The miners and farmers created this splendid site by digging the hills. Traces and remains are still there. And yet, one can easily imagine a genuine Western in Technicolor, shot right here by John Ford or Sergio Leone. Easy to be an Apache, the color is everywhere and makes a good make-up! It is the ocher rush! Head to the Sahara, the fairy chimneys, the Barriès circus... magical, enchanting, wonderful sites and freedom to run, relax, breathe and feast your eyes!