Provence Cooking, Wild Herbs
In Provence, wild herbs such as
rosemary and  thyme grow in the hills.
Herbs de Provence they call them, a
magic potion that along with other spices
make Provence cooking what it is.
You can enjoy a hike while at the same
time gathering the herbs that will enhance
your cooking vacation in Provence.  
The spices are plentiful in the markets
but in some villages you can forager in
the hills to give a special meaning to your
evening meal of roast, honey-glazed
lamb.
Provence provides honey from  local
blackberry nectar that the bees have
harvested, the lamb will come from the  
tiny butcher shops in the villages and the
herbs come from the  hills
Provence cooking
might have you
spending  most days  
gathering fresh
vegetables, herbs,
wine, and bread for
your home-cooked
meals.
The hiking trails
between the olive
groves and in the rocky
hills will reveal
Rosemary lining the
well-worn trails  made
by the shepherds as
they graze their flocks.  
Culinary Vacation
in Provence
Provence
Cooking
Wild
Herbs
Herbs de Provence: the herbs growing in the gardens of
Provence could include lavender, thyme, rosemary,
savory, and basil.  Thyme and rosemary are the most
common growing wild.  
Bake in a 350 over for 12 minutes per pound, turn three times to bake evenly. Remove the lamb
and cover with foil while continuing to roast the garlic until it is soft. Place the garlic and lamb on a
serving platter and keep this warm while making  a sauce in the pan with the left over juices.
Spoon off excess oil and strain the sauce to remove the sprigs of Thyme and Rosemary. Serve on
the side with the lamb.
Herbs de Provence is a name given by a manufacturer to the wild herbs growing in
the hills of Provence.  These  could include lavender, thyme, rosemary, savory, and
basil .  Thyme and rosemary are the most common growing wild.  
In the markets, you find bunches of bay leaf, thyme and rosemary tied together. After placing two of
these together in a steel roasting pan surrounding several heads of garlic, moisten the herbs and
garlic with olive oil.  Then place a layer of rosemary over that.  Smear the lamb  with olive oil and  
Herbs de Provence, and then place that over the rosemary.
The custom is to serve Camargue sea salt at the table for an additional flavoring at the discretion
of each guest.   
Provence Cooking With Wild Herbs, Roast Lamb
Smear with Olive Oil and Herbs de Provence
Provence Cooking With Wild Herbs Roast Chicken
Salad seasoned with herbs gathered in the hills
Provence Cooking With Wild Herbs: Roast
Chicken basted with olive oil and herbs
You can find
thyme in the dry
hills as well and
these are the
legendary spice
combination that
along with first
cold press olive
oil and fresh
vegetables,
form the heart of
Provence
cooking.
In June the apricots, cherries and peaches ripen.  At the end of June the
lavender starts to turn purple and the hills near Gordes take on the look of a
purple and gold quilt.
Melons from Cavallion come to markets along with tomatoes, zucchini, and
egg plant
Sunflowers ripen end of June
Do You need an International Driving Permit to Drive in
Europe.
In France and Italy you can rent a car and do not need to
show an International Permit, only your drivers license    
Italian law, however,  requires that.....  see Article
No Passing
for
commercial
vehicles
No
Passing
zone ends
Rotary
with yield
to traffic in
rotary
Check out Auto
Europe's Rentals in
France
Speed limits will be clearly marked and the Rotary will be a welcome site with its directions to various
towns.  Gassing up is similar to US with credit card and automatic shut-off at modern pumps. Car rental are
available in all large cities and at many TGV Train Stations..
Information for those renting a vehicle in Provence
Check  Auto
Europe's RV rentals
Shop for your rental car online well  ahead of your trip and
choose diesel (more economical) or gas, luggage
space,(important)  standard or automatic,(important)  two door,
four door and other options.     See  renting a vehicle in Provence