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| Snow day at La Petite Gardette |
Here at La Petite Gardette, winter completely changes the landscape. The occasional snowfall covers the hills, lending a magical feel to the place. Paw prints of all sizes and shapes can be seen in the snow in the early morning, attesting to the presence of deer, wild boars, rabbits, badgers, and foxes in the nearby woods.
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| The frozen pond |
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| Wisteria Cottage ~ cozy open fire and a great book selection! |
One of the most enjoyable aspects of the climate of Provence is that the seasons are so well defined. The weather in summer is reliably sunny and hot, of course, making the area a desirable tourist destination while in the winter months, the provençal countryside loses its leaves, but not its charm. The days are shorter, true, and overnight temperatures often drop way below freezing (as in 17-18 below!), but clouds are rare and quickly blown away by the mistral, leaving clear skies and daytime temperatures mild enough to enjoy the outdoors.
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| Provençal nativity scene |
The leaf-covered walking trails are accessible year-round, either on foot or on mountain bike, offering a rare glimpse of a quieter, more subdued Provence.With the busyness of summer gone, the perched medieval villages show themselves in a different light too. Duly festooned for the holidays and with breathtaking (often life-sized) nativity scenes in their churches, they enchant children and grown-ups alike as the fragrant smell of roasting chestnuts floats around the squares.
As the days and weeks pass, spring will begin to make its cheerful appearance but for now, winter is still just settling in, a chance for nature to slow down its pace in a reflexive, contemplative and restful serenity.
