There is no really obvious place to start, so since this is a blog mostly about wine, I’ll start there. Provence is known for making (some of) the best rosé wines in the world, and the pink stuff is everywhere.

It is also known for it’s Roman ruins, including the Pont du Gard aqueduct. (OK, le Pont du Gard is technically not in Provence, but it is close enough and if you are in that part of the world, you should go see it, it’s amazing.) (From lepontdugard.fr)

Of course, Provence is also known for its beaches, this one is Saint Tropez, where I enjoyed several wines from Château Roubine.

On a different trip to Saint Tropez, I happened to be in town for Les Voiles de Saint Tropez, a huge regatta with over 300 yachts.

Saint Tropez is also home to one of the best open-air fish markets in Provence.

Gratuitous palm tree. I love palm trees and they abound in Provence.

Speaking of markets, practically every town in Provence has its own version, held on the same day of the week for decades (if not centuries), where you can find practically everything, like spices.

More rosé. I particularly like this shot for a couple of reasons. First, it was taken on a rooftop in Mougins, a medieval town in the hills above Cannes. Second, that middle wine is actually from California and I brought it over (I am likely one of the few people ever to bring an American rosé to Provence). We tried it alongside two Provençal rosés, one of which (the Garrus) is one of the most expensive rosés in the world (~$100).

Speaking of Mougins, it is particularly charming at night (after the tourists have cleared out).

As one would expect, Provence has a fantastic climate and it produces many of the fruits and vegetables grown in France.

Gratuitous tiny palm-type tree.

Even on a mostly cloudy day, there is something about the Provençal sky.

Medieval towns abound in Provence. This is in Les Arcs, not far from Saint Tropez. It’s for sale (at least it was when I was there)!

There is actually a Center for Rosé Research in Vidauban, where among many other things, they classify the color of rosé wines from across Provence and around the world.

While Provence is certainly known for rosé, one of my favorite producers in Provence, Gavaisson, only produces white wine (from the Rolle grape). Rosé represents 85% of the production and white a mere 5% (the other 10% is red).

The cycling in Provence is phenomenal, but keeping up with this guy was not a lot of fun.

After a rough day in the saddle, a bit of time by the pool, like the one here at Château Roubine where I stayed for the better part of a week, hits the spot.

And the food. Don’t forget the food! Whether it’s a “simple” gazpacho (with a carafe of rosé, naturally) at a tiny café in the middle of a ride….

… a rich and decadent cassoulet with confit de canard (and a bottle of Provençal red, naturally) when you find yourself flying solo…

…or fresh Mediterranean lobster (with more rosé, naturally) while dining on the beach, it is tough to eat poorly in Provence.

Well, that is all I have, for now, à bientôt from the South of France!