My Provençal Garden

It always happens less than one week after being back in Canada. Less than one week (sometimes less than one day) and I am dreaming about being back in Provence. Generally it’s because I go from summer to autumn/winter in a matter of moments. It’s always cold and dreary and I miss the intense sun and blue skies immediately.

The way through this malaise is my garden. I have spent many hours imagining, dreaming and thinking of what my house and garden in Provence would be like. I don’t know if I’ll ever have it in this lifetime, but thinking of it makes my heart feel better.

First the house: this would be an old stone little abode. I am not interested in something grandiose. Just comfortable with enough room for a few people, an office, a fab kitchen and most importantly a beautiful terrace. If I could have it exactly as I imagine, I would have a view to the Mont Ventoux with vines dotting the landscape in front of me. And I’d build a little guest cabanon. A small out-building for guests with all the necessities included. This way everyone who visits would have his or her own private piece of heaven. Plus who’s kidding who, I value my alone time; it would make everyone’s visit much more pleasant!

Then, the most important part: the garden. When I imagine this, I do it in French, naming all the plants and trees I would love to have in French: des oliviers (at least 4 of them, enough to make some olive oil), des plantanes, un pechêr, un pommier, un citronnier and maybe un figuier. Of course there would be the potager, the small vegetable garden. I couldn’t live without this: tomatoes, courgettes, lettuces, garlic, beans, endless herbs and on and on.

The idea of having this small place where I could grow my own food, make my own olive oil, and sit out staring at the Provençal sky from my terrace while sipping a chilled rosé is where I go when I am sad. It is my sanctuary. One day I hope it will be a true sanctuary and not just one in my mind. If you don’t dream it, it simply cannot be. So dream on and find your own place of peace.