The Donkey of Provence Le Bourriquet

A.A. Milne may have made Eeyore famous in his Winnie-the-Pooh books, however in reality the hardworking donkey has been helping humans out for thousands of years.

The equines family of horses, donkeys and zebras all has a long history.  There are even some prehistoric references.  The experts are divided as to whether horses or donkeys were domesticated first.  This is likely a riddle that will never truly be resolved, as in reality they were used in different geographies.

The donkey is actually featured on some of the oldest Egyptian monuments, leaving little doubt that they were domesticated and used in the warm lands around the Southern Mediterranean.  The ever sturdy and calm donkeys were recognized for their usefulness for transporting goods and agrarian tasks, as such they quickly spread to other parts of southern Europe and eventually to some more northern parts.

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Carolyne Kauser-Abbott

With her camera and laptop close at hand, Carolyne has traded in her business suits for the world of freelance writing and blogging. Her first airplane ride at six months of age was her introduction to the exciting world of travel.

While in Provence, Carolyne can be found hiking with friends, riding the hills around the Alpilles or tackling Mont Ventoux. Her attachment to the region resonates in Perfectly Provence this digital magazine that she launched in 2014. This website is an opportunity to explore the best of the Mediterranean lifestyle (food & wine, places to stay, expat stories, books on the region, travel tips, real estate tips and more), through our contributors' articles.

Carolyne writes a food and travel blog Ginger and Nutmeg. Carolyne’s freelance articles can be found in Global Living Magazine, Avenue Magazine and City Palate (Published Travel Articles).