War Memorial Provence Vaucluse
ExploreJulie WhitmarshProvencal History & Traditions

A War Memorial amongst the Lavender Fields in the Vaucluse

Contributor blog post by Vaucluse Dreamer: Back in the Summer we spent some time exploring the pretty village of Simiane-La-Rotonde, a few miles away from us in the neighbouring Department of Alpes de Haute Provence. Whilst we were there we noticed the names of five (5) English Airmen had been added …

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Aigues-Mortes Rempart Gateway @Bfblogger2015
Barefoot BloggerExploreProvencal History & TraditionsRoad Trips South of France

Inside Aigues-Mortes Walls: History, Torture and Transformation

There are hardly more historically significant towns in France than Aigues-Mortes. Within the walled city, legends and facts reveal a rich history of conquering heroes and suffering martyrs. Today the place has transformed into a popular destination for travellers, filled with souvenir shops and sidewalk cafes. Visit with me inside …

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Tarascon Castle Provence
ExploreGinger and NutmegProvencal History & Traditions

Reasons to Visit Tarascon a Castle and a Monster in Provence

The Heart of Darkness or Niger Focus (later Nerluc) might have been an appropriate name for the hamlet located on the shores of a murky, swampy river. The muddy, opaque waters fueled rumours cultivating the nightmares of residents who asked was the beast: A huge serpent? A dragon? A fierce …

READ MORE  Reasons to Visit Tarascon a Castle and a Monster in Provence
Provence Christmas Story
ExploreMargo LestzProvencal History & Traditions

The Provence Christmas Story a Tale of the Santons

You may know the traditional Biblical Christmas story, but in Provence, there is a bit more to it. The Provence Christmas story is told in a Nativity play called a pastorale. It incorporates the main details of the traditional Nativity but sets it in a nineteenth-century Provençal village. …Continue reading here …

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Santons of Provence @MirabeauWine
ExploreMaison Mirabeau WinesProvencal History & TraditionsWhat's On Provence & Cote d'Azur

What is the History Behind the Santons of Provence

Contributor blog post by Mirabeau Wine: Sir Francis of Assisi established the tradition of nativity scenes in 1223 with live enactments by people and animals during the midnight mass on Christmas eve in his church of Greccio, Italy. The tradition halted after the French Revolution, when many churches were closed. …

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Penitents Chapels Nice Saint Sepulcre
Chiara OrlandiExploreInspireProvencal History & Traditions

Exploring the Four Chapels of the Penitents in Nice

The Penitents refers to a Christian movement dating back to the 4th century. During this time, those who confessed a grave sin were assigned a penance, a means by which your sin could be forgiven. This penance, assigned by a Bishop, could assume the form of repairing a church, helping the poor …

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Roman Pont du Gard
ExploreOur House in ProvenceProvencal History & Traditions

A visit with friends to the amazing Roman Pont du Gard

Contributor blog post by Michel: Our favorite Roman ruin in the South of France is the Pont du Gard, the aqueduct bridge that crosses the Gardon River in the Gard Department of Languedoc-Roussillon about 60 km (37 miles) from our home in Sablet, between Remoulins and Uzès. The Pont du Gard …

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Tribute Antibes HMS Unbroken
ExploreJemma - French LessonsProvencal History & Traditions

WWII Antibes’ 75th Tribute for HMS Unbroken

It is a time of anniversaries. World War I’s centennial commemorations have dotted the globe. Canada celebrated its 150th. Even Lolo’s summer camp in the woods of Ontario proudly handed out t-shirts with “100” on them. World War II anniversaries cannot yet claim three digits. Partly because of the war’s …

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Pont du Gard Kayaking Provence @PerfProvence
Barefoot BloggerExploreProvencal History & Traditions

Pont du Gard, France: Is it Architecture or Art?

Visiting monuments isn’t on the top of my sightseeing list; however I heard that Pont du Gard was a “must.” It is reportedly one of the most visited sites in France but, not until I saw it myself would I know why. It literally took my breath away. There, hiding out in …

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Roman Barge Arles Museum Antiquity
InspireKeith Van SickleProvencal History & Traditions

Discovering the Roman Barge and Other Treasures of Arles

The Roman History of Arles What’s 2,000 years old, 100 feet long and used to float? If you guessed a Roman barge, you win! And you can see one now in the Arles Museum of Antiquity. Arles was once an important Roman town, a trading centre with a significant port. …

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