Located between Marseille and Arles in Provence, near by the Mediterranean sea and along the Rhone river, the region is completely different from any other of the Bouches du Rhone area. In the Camargue, water and ponds, marshes, and land all intermingle. This is a land of a unique human history , an outstanding experience. White horses, bulls, pink flamingoes and several hundreds of other types of birds have chosen it as their home. This sandy region extends over more than 75 000 hectares between the two branches of the Rhone river. The best way to discover this vast salted area salted by winds from the sea are by horse-trekking through the marshlands or cycling along the sea dike on a mountain bike.

CHRISTMAS AND THE SANTONS

The tradition of the creche miniature Provençal villages and Christmas cribs built for the hand-painted "santon" figurines of Aubagne clay with name like Lou Ravi, le Tambourinaire ,la belle arlesienne, the sheperd, and many other all in their traditional costumes. Join one of the midnight masses at Les BAux where the shepherds in procession on the hillside carry out the rite of "pastrage" - offering a new born lamb to the infant Jesus. Share a merry " gros souper" Christmas eve meal with its traditionnal 13 desserts. Admire the talking Christmas crib and PAstorale pageants , you will be experiencing the soul of Provence .

CAFE LIFE

It is well-known that there is no winter in Procvence and all the year round , people sit outside the cafes.

THE PROVENCAL SPECIALTIES

Goat cheese :

A hundred of so farmes in the Crau and Alpilles plain produce and make their goatcheese

Truffles

The soil of Provence is an ideal place for truffles. There is a great truffle market in Rognes and in the Luberon ( home place of Peter Mayle) every year in December.

Camargue salt

Originating from the sea, it is dried by the sun and wind in immense spaces called "salins"

Camargue rice

25 % of the rice eaten in france is made up of the Camargue's round and long varieties

Honey

400 beekeepers produce honey with flavours of flowers, woodland,garrigue , thyme, rosemary and lavender

Aix Calissons

The Calisson arrived in Aix at the beginning of the 17 th century. This confectionnery is made from sweet almonds , crystallised fruits( melon, apricots,tangerine) and flavoured with orange blossom. If you are interested in tasting those calissons and nougats, there is a french web site I can recommend who can deliver all kinds of products anywhere in the world . You can order on line

Abadac site: On-line top quality French food & The Gourmet French Shop wines from Paris, secure shopping, La Boutique du Gourmet worlwide delivery and gift service. Visit them here or email them at patrick.barcat@abadac.com

Tellinas

Tellinas or sunset shells are tiny shellfish that live in the sands of Camargue. They are delicious cooked " a la mariniere" with onions,herbs and white wine or with persillade ( chopped parsley and garlic)

The Camargue bulls

These bulls are reared in total freedom. Their delicious meat is best eaten well-spiced or in one of the traditional "cow-boy style" stews.

The 13 Christmas desserts

After the traditional meatless " Gros souper " on Christmas eve it is the custom to make merry around the thirteen desserts. The desserts are said to symbolise CHrist and his twelve apostles and include all the specialities of Provence. There are the compulsory items such as " pompe a l'huile" ( a sweet bread made with olive oil ) white and black nougats and dried fruits and nuts, raisins, almonds, figs and walnuts. And there are also the optional extras such as apples, tangerines, oranges, dates , candies citrons that have been specially stored in the attic .

Short stay theme holidays

If you'd like to know more about this unforgettable region , Fugues en France will suggest you :

Christmas in Provence : an original way to spend Christmas and discover the Camargue in winter.From 23 to 26 December you will have a Christmas Eve party and a Provencal Mass in Les Saintes Maries de la Mer and then visit Arles , les Baux and St Remy.

3 days - 3 nights
-A guided hiking trip around the Baux de Provence
-A Provencal cookery course ( from a master chef in Provence)
-The Camargue on horseback

Wine

Vines were first brought to Provence 2,600 years ago. Although rose is prevallent i the image and production of Provencal wines, quality reds and perfumed whites are renowned Tody the Bouches du Rhone area offers 5 AOC wines .. AOC Cotes de Provence, AOC Coteaux d'Aix, AOC Palette ( the oldest appellations, and the smallest), AOC Cassis ( reputed for its whites ), AOC Coteaux des Baux .. NB : AOC Bandol is in the Var department

Talking about wines, 1997 wines should be great almost in every appellation , summer was very warm and it did not rain. The grape harvesting in September and October 1997 was made in exceptionnal conditions.

FUGUES EN FRANCE can set up tours for you in Provence as well as cooking courses
Catherine Thevenin
FUGUES EN FRANCE
Email:fugues@club-internet.fr

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