We spent a wonderful week near Ponteves, a couple of hours drive from Marseille. This is our second visit to Ponteves.
We were introduced to a lovely little French hotel by good friends of ours Lis & Keith who live in the UK. They have been going there for more than 20 years and, a couple of years ago, they took us there for a week. The food was classic French provincial style with the tastiest terrines and meat dishes with yummy sauces that were nothing like we have tasted at home. The wines were all from local wineries. So local in fact we actually drove passed one whilst on our daily tour and of course we had to call in and have a chat with the french wine maker who spoke better english than we spoke french. The rolls and croissants were delivered fresh every morning at about 7.45am from the bakery in the village about 600 metres up the road.
It was such a magic experience. Situated a short distance from the village of Barjols and surrounded by olive fields the location it is so idyllic.
In July the weather is warm, the surrounding villages and markets are at there best and the fields of lavender are stunning as are the local wineries set among the lavender.
A drive to Monaco and Aix in Provence with its weekly market is worth a couple of short day trips.
For the more active visitor to this region there is hiking, cycling, relaxation and swimming. Close to the Rivieira, Verdon gorges and Lake SainteCroix, are highly popular with tourists.
Opportunities for canyonning and rock climbing just 10km from the hotel. Visit a vast range of typical little Provence-style villages and soak up the atmosphere of the local markets you will find one every day somewhere.
We were introduced to a lovely little French hotel by good friends of ours Lis & Keith who live in the UK. They have been going there for more than 20 years and, a couple of years ago, they took us there for a week. The food was classic French provincial style with the tastiest terrines and meat dishes with yummy sauces that were nothing like we have tasted at home. The wines were all from local wineries. So local in fact we actually drove passed one whilst on our daily tour and of course we had to call in and have a chat with the french wine maker who spoke better english than we spoke french. The rolls and croissants were delivered fresh every morning at about 7.45am from the bakery in the village about 600 metres up the road.
It was such a magic experience. Situated a short distance from the village of Barjols and surrounded by olive fields the location it is so idyllic.
In July the weather is warm, the surrounding villages and markets are at there best and the fields of lavender are stunning as are the local wineries set among the lavender.
A drive to Monaco and Aix in Provence with its weekly market is worth a couple of short day trips.
For the more active visitor to this region there is hiking, cycling, relaxation and swimming. Close to the Rivieira, Verdon gorges and Lake SainteCroix, are highly popular with tourists.
Opportunities for canyonning and rock climbing just 10km from the hotel. Visit a vast range of typical little Provence-style villages and soak up the atmosphere of the local markets you will find one every day somewhere.