Discover the History of the Prints of Provence: “Les Indiennes”

Contributor blog post by Margo Lestz:

How could a fabric that originated in India, was copied by Armenians, and outlawed in France become a symbol of Provence?

The kaleidoscope of cotton fabrics that punctuate the Provençal markets today, just seem to shout “southern France.” They are decorated with cicadas, olives, and flowers in colors that reflect the local landscape: sky blue, sunflower yellow, lavender purple, olive green, and reds reminiscent of the hills of Roussillon. What could be more Provençal?… Or Indian?

…Continue reading here as Margo unveils the background behind the printed fabrics in Provence. You are a certain to find in these festive napkins, tablecloths, t-towels in the markets (and boutiques) of Provence. Discover why these bright cotton prints, which are readily available in large quantities, were at one time just for the nobility.

Via:: The Curious Rambler

Margo Lestz

Margo is a British/American who has lived in Nice, France for the past nine years. She loves digging into the history of an area and discovering the tales behind local customs and traditions. She blogs about her discoveries on The Curious Rambler . She is also the author of two books, French Holidays & Traditions, and Curious Histories of Nice, France. Click here for Margo's books.

She describes herself as a perpetual student and is always taking some kind of course or researching a moment in history that has caught her fancy. She’s curious by nature and always wondering who, what, why, when, where, and how.

Margo shares her adventures (and her questions) with Jeff, her husband of many years. She enjoys travel, history, observing cultures and traditions – and then writing about them, of course.