The south of France between Avignon and the Mediterranean offers a different kind of travel from the rest of this site — but the slow-travel philosophy is the same. Village markets, cooking with wild herbs, the Camargue wetlands and events like the Gypsy festival at Saintes-Maries-de-la-Mer make this region worth exploring at a walking pace.
The Gypsy Festival at Saintes-Maries-de-la-Mer
Every May, Roma and Sinti communities from across Europe converge on the Camargue town of Saintes-Maries-de-la-Mer for the pilgrimage of Saint Sarah. The statue of Black Sarah is carried from the church to the sea in a procession with music, horses and crowds. The festival runs for several days with camping on the beach and late-night gatherings. It is one of the most distinctive events in the south of France.
Village Markets
Provence runs on its weekly markets. Every village has its market day: Apt on Saturday, Isle-sur-la-Sorgue on Sunday, Aix-en-Provence on Tuesday and Saturday. The markets sell olives, cheese, lavender honey, saucisson, soap and whatever the local farms are producing that week. Arriving early gets you the best produce. Arriving late gets you bargains as vendors pack up.
Cooking With Wild Herbs
The garrigue (scrubland) covering the Provencal hills produces wild thyme, rosemary, savory and oregano. Some cooking schools and guesthouses offer foraging walks where you gather herbs, then cook with them. The combination of wild herbs, local olive oil and fresh market vegetables defines Provencal cooking at its simplest and best.
Eygalieres
A small hill village in the Alpilles with a Romanesque chapel (St. Sixte), a ruined castle and views across the olive groves. No major tourist attractions — just a perfect Provencal village to walk through, sit in the cafe on the square, and buy olive oil from the cooperative. The hike up to the St. Sixte chapel takes about 20 minutes.