Tag: Travel

Travel and Logistics

Arriving | Car Rentals | Accommodations | Traveling in Europe

The Abbaye de Saint Croix is located just outside of Salon-de Provence—a small town in the middle of Provence, France. The closest airport is Marseille-Provence Airport (about a 35 minute drive) and the closest high-speed train station is Aix-en-Provence (35 minutes). There is also a local train located in downtown Salon-de-Provence. You can rent a car from either the Marseilles Airport, from the Aix Train Station, or from the town of Aix-en-Provence. We recommend Europcar and have never had a problem (more details below). Alternatively, you can contact your hotel about transfers options.

Key Take Aways:

  • For the cheapest flights, fly into Paris and book a separate connecting flight to Marseille or take the fast train (TGV) to Aix-en-Provence, where you will rent a car.
  • The closest airport to the Abbaye is the Marseille-Provence Airport. You can also fly into Nice.
  • If booking train travel, book directly on the OUI.sncf website. We DO NOT recommend EuroRail, these will almost always be more expensive. OUI.sncf also has a mobile app.
  • For car rentals we recommend Europcar. You can book through Europcar directly or through Kayak. Make sure to check the pick-up and drop off location (train stations or airports are easiest).
  • There is a full list of hotel options below. The Abbaye is 3 mi (4.6 km) drive from the city center, up hill. For those staying at the Abbaye de Sainte Croix or Mas de Lure, Cody or Kim will contact you directly with booking instructions.
  • All guest will have full access to the Abbaye and its facilities (swimming pool, games room, etc) from Thursday September 5, 2019 at 3:30pm until Sunday September 8, 2019 12pm.
  • The weather is generally warm during the day (highs 78°F/26°C) and cool at night (lows 53°F/11°C).
  • French service people will generally speak English, but do not conform to the same norms as American service people. Do not be offended if they are brisk. The best way to get a French person’s attention, is to try to say “bonjour!” before you attempt to start a conversation. This is more polite than saying “excuse me” or “pardon me” even if you speak fluent French!

Arriving

There are may ways to start your travels. Generally, the cheapest flights to France will be directly to Paris. From Paris, you can buy a separate connecting ticket to Marseille or take the fast train (TGV) directly to Aix-en-Provence. This will generally be cheaper than flying directly to Marseille form the US. Alternatively, you can fly into Nice, and take the fast train (TGV) from Nice to Aix-en-Provence. We recommend flying into Paris, and finding your way to Provence via the TGV if you are trying to save money.

Arriving at Marseilles Airport (aka L’aéroport de Marignane on road signs)

Marseilles-Provence Airport (L’aéroport Marseille-Provence) is an hour and 20 minutes flight from Paris and is served by non-stop flights from Paris on Air France and non-stop flights from London on British Airways. The car rental services are located just outside the main terminal (Terminal 1). There are many different options for car rentals and you can find them all here. We recommend Europcar and have never had a problem. Whatever car rental agency you chose, we highly recommend making your reservations ahead of time as it is usually much cheaper. You can book through Europcar directly or through Kayak.

After collecting your car, follow signs to Salon-de-Provence as you leave the airport. The ride is fairly straight forward, and should take between 30-40 minutes. When you are returning to Marseilles airport, do note that on road signs, the Marseilles airport is sometimes called L’aéroport de Marignane. Finally, the airport of Marseille is north of the city of Marseille (30 mins), and not close to any train stations. If you intend to take a local train from Marseille to Salon-de-Provence, you will have to take a bus to the city.

Arriving at Aix Train Station (Aix-en-Provence)

The fast train (TGV) takes three hours to get from Paris to Aix-en-Provence. The TGV train station (Gare d’Aix-en-Provence) is located just outside of Aix, and you will need to take a shuttle or taxi to the city center, if you wish to explore Aix-en-Provence. Book your train tickets through OUI.sncf, this will be cheaper than EuroRail.

There are several options for car rentals at the train station, including Europcar, Enterprise and Sixt. We have always rented from Europcar and have never had a problem. Whatever car rental agency you chose, we highly recommend making your reservations ahead of time as it is usually much cheaper. You can book through Europcar directly or through Kayak. Aix city center is a 15 minute car ride from the train station and you can find more information about shuttles, taxis, and car services you can take here.

Arriving in Nice

Nice Airport is a major international airport with many direct connections to cities in the United States. Nice airport is a 2 hour and 10 minutes drive through beautiful Provence to the Abbaye de Saint Croix. This is a good option if you would prefer to drive. In addition, there are direct trains from Nice to Aix-en-Provence, from there you would drive. Book your train tickets through OUI.sncf, this will be cheaper than EuroRail.

Car Rentals:

There are several options for car rentals at train stations, airports, and within city centers, including Europcar, Enterprise, Hertz, and Sixt. We have always rented from Europcar and have never had a problem. Whatever car rental agency you chose, we highly recommend making your reservations ahead of time as it is usually much cheaper. You can book through Europcar directly or through Kayak.

Things to keep in mind when renting a car:

  • Manual transmission cars will be much cheaper, if you know how to operate them.
  • For car rentals we recommend Europcar. You can book through Europcar directly or through Kayak. Make sure to check the pick-up and drop off location when booking.
  • An American drivers license should be fine. If you are at all concerned, AAA offers international permits for $20 (bring a photo to your AAA location).
  • Your American credit card will most likely cover your car insurance (check before travel). If you will be using your card’s insurance, French rental agencies will ask you to sign a waiver for the full value of the car (upwards of 20,000 €), this is normal. If you are uncertain, you can always pay for extra insurance. Please note: if you pay for extra insurance, this will invalidate the coverage offered by your American credit card.
  • If for some reason you are renting a car in Italy, always pay for the extra insurance. American credit card companies do not cover Italy. ¯\_(ツ)_/¯

Accommodations:

There are many options for hotels and AirBnBs very close to the Abbaye. For those staying at the Abbaye de Sainte Croix or Mas de Lure, Cody or Kim will contact you directly with booking instructions. All guest will have full access to the Abbaye and its facilities (swimming pool, games room, etc) from Thursday September 5, 2019 at 3:30pm until Sunday September 8, 2019 12pm. We recommend staying in Salon-de-Provence, which is a short 10 minute drive to the Abbaye. We will have a shuttle going to and from the Abbaye on the night of the wedding. We will provide more details on the shuttle closer to the wedding.

Airbnb Options

There are many very affordable Airbnb options in Salon-de-Provence centre-ville. There are also some options for Airbnb options on the hillside near the Abbaye that are larger and come with pools.

Hotel options Salon-de-Provence

Guest Houses

General Travel Advice for Europe

Phone

You should check with your phone carrier about data/roaming charges while you’re abroad and you should be sure and turn off your cell data before you land. Some providers like Verizon offer international packages for around $10 per day. Please, check and request such packages before you leave. If you want to buy a local sim, which we recommend, we like Orange’s Holiday Plan, which costs €39.99 and gives you 120 international min + 1000 texts and 10GB of mobile data for 14 days. The sim works in France and all over Europe if you are planning on traveling further afield. The sim is easily rechargeable. We have been using the same one for over a year. There is an Orange shop in Salon-de-Provence at 1 Boulevard de la République.

Money

The euro is currently at 1.04 dollars, but check the latest rate before you change money.  There are several ATMs in Salon-de-Provence you can use. We do not recommend changing lots of dollars to euros in America. You will always get a better rate from an ATM in-country. Many places in France do not take credit cards – such as taxis – so we recommend that you always carry some Euros. Uber also works in most of France. Just remember that unless you have a no-foreign-transaction-fee debit or credit card, you will be charged a commission by both the French bank and your bank. We recommend calling your bank in advance and letting them know you’ll be abroad and asking about your fees. AMEX cards work for things like car rentals and at big hotels, but we recommend having a Master Card or Visa for day to day transactions.

Restaurants

Please remember that most restaurants in France are only open for lunch from around 12-2 PM and dinner from 7-9 PM. We advise to plan accordingly as it can be difficult to find food outside of these times. We strongly highly recommend making a reservation for dinner as most restaurants require them. Food and drink in Salon-de-Provence are very affordable.

Tipping

Many restaurants add around 10% service charge, but rounding up to the nearest euro is always appreciated. Rounding up for taxi drivers is also very nice.

Outlet/Power

France uses plug types C and E, primarily, and all outlets are 220-240 v. You will only need a simple plug adapter for devices like cell phones, tablets, and laptops, as most battery operated devices accept voltage ranges form 120-240v. If you are bringing anything which requires more amperage (like a hair dryer or curling iron) you will need a converter which changes the voltage (step down converter). For Apple devices, you can also simply change the plug types with travel kit.

Weather

We are keeping our fingers crossed for some nice weather! The weather during the day should be a warm and beautiful mid-80s. The weather at night will be a cool and in the low-60s. Remember that all the wedding events will take place on a hillside and so there will be a breeze. We recommend light jackets or shawls for evening events.

Weather in Provence
Weather in Provence

Our Guide to Paris

If you have the time to visit Paris either before or after our wedding, we have a some general advice about place to see and where to stay! First and foremost, Paris is a walking city. So whenever you can, walk walk walk.

Paris is divided in Arrondissements. Generally, we prefer the 5th Arrondissement, which is also called the “Latin Quarter”. This has some older streets that weren’t redesigned (Rue Mouffetard, for example). The map I’ve attached focuses mostly on the 5th and 6th, which are both on the left bank, but has general advice for all over the city.

General information:

Grocery Shops (not on maps):

A lot of grocery stores in Paris are closed on Sunday, so plan ahead for food and drinks.

  • Monoprix: groceries plus sundry items, think small Target
  • Franprix: groceries
  • Carrefour: groceries, these are the best for food/wine
  • Casino (or Petit Casino): groceries and a few other things
  • Nicolas: These are wine stores around the city.

Metro:

The metro system is very easy to use. It closes around 12:30 am. You can buy a packet of ten tickets (a carnet) from a machine, valid for one ride (with internal transfers). You usually have to save your ticket to get off the train in some places—so, make sure you save them as you go.

Uber/Taxis:

There is Uber, which works fine, and you won’t have to speak French. 90% of the Taxis drivers understand English. All taxis are supposed to take credit cards, but they often refuse, so ask before you get in or make sure you have cash on you.

The Map:

These are my personal recommendations for around Paris. These are not exhaustive, and don’t usually include standard tourist sites, those are included below.

Mostly the 5th and 6th Arrondissement:

De Vinis Illustribus

This is the place you HAVE to do a wine tasting. Contact Lionel or Dominque to plan your tasting. You’re going to want a lunch time tasting most likely. It is a bit costly, but well worth it.

Place de la Contrescarpe

Good for a glass of wine or café. Here I am referring to the actual square itself, not to any particular restaurants.

Drinks along the River:

Bring a bottle of wine down to the left bank, walk down the stairs, and enjoy the Seine and the views.

After you put the kids to bed, you can sit anywhere along the Seine and drink wine. Just walk down to any old place, put your feet over the edge and drink some wine. I like to go where you can see the Notre-Dame. But anywhere with a view is good.

Fromagerie Laurent Dubois

One of the best cheese shops in Paris. Be sure to get raw milk camembert when you are in Paris. Don’t refrigerate it. It is supposed to be eat at room temp, so you can spread it on bread.

Le Petit Café –6 Rue Descartes, Paris

On Sundays they have a good brunch special. The café is in Place Larue, a tiny square near the start of Rue Mouffetard. The cafés and restaurants here are frequented by students and locals.

Le Jardin du Luxembourg:

This is a good place to take the kids. They let you rent wooden sailboats for the fountain. It is also just a very nice place to walk around.

Église Saint-Sulpice

A 17th century church with some cool lion fountains. There are several restaurants just north (toward the river) of the church that you can try.

If you do end up by Saint-Suplice, there is a good little Italian/Pizza place called Santa Lucia. You can take kids here too.

Around Paris:

Sacré-Cœur

You’ll get a good view of the city around sunset from up here. Super touristy though, so watch out for pickpockets.

Bois de Boulogne

This is a good place for a hike or a run.

Clos Montmartre

The only vineyards in Paris! No wine though, sorry!

Flea Market: Les Puces de Saint-Ouen

This is a nice little flea market area where you can walk around. It’s called Les Marche aux Puces in French.

When you first get off the Metro you’ll be in the sort of modern area. Use Google maps to walk to: 99 Rue des Rosiers 75018 Paris, France. This will be the entrance to the actual little shop area (across the street from a sort of antique’s mall).

Walks:

Notre-Dame to Eiffel Tower:

Walking from Notre-Dame to the Eiffel Tower along the Seine is a very pretty and nice way to spend the day. The walk is long though, but there are plenty of Metro stops along the way so you can stop whenever.

Louvre to Arc de Triomphe:

It is best to walk from the Louvre to the Arc de Triomphe and not the other way around. You’ll start in the gardens of the Louvre and end up in the shopping district of the Champs-Elysées.

Rue Mouffetard:

A lot of my locations on the map are near to the Rue Mouffetard. It’s one of the old surviving streets. About the Mouffetard: “The origins of this thoroughfare are ancient, dating back to Neolithic times. As with today’s rue Galande, rue Lagrange, rue de la Montagne Sainte-Geneviève and rue Descartes, it was a Roman road running from the Roman Rive Gauche city south to Italy. The area remained relatively unchanged because of its location on the Montagne Sainte-Geneviève, which protected it from Baron Haussmann’s redevelopment during the reign of Napoleon III.”

Around Paris (standard tourist stuff, not on map):

There are a million places to see, this is a very very short list of some of the top visited places with my notes.

Eiffel Tower:

If you want to go up, buy skip the line tickets ahead of time (you’ll still end up standing in line). And take the elevator; it’s a lot faster than the stairs.

Les Catacombes de Paris

I highly recommend the catacombs, especially if it is raining. You can take kids, but this is basically a giant maze of bones and skulls, so you know, don’t take them unless they like gross stuff.

Panthéon:

This was originally a church, it now functions as a secular museum/mausoleum containing the remains of distinguished French citizens. It’s a pretty cool big building, and only takes about 30 mins to explore.

Cathédrale Notre-Dame de Paris:

Besides near a place for getting drinks along the Seine (see notes above), it’s also a church! Definitely, go inside (minor charge). The line can get long, so the day you want to go in, go on a weekday and go early. Notre-Dame sites on the Île de la Cité, which was essentially the island where Paris was founded. There are other things to see on the island including, Sainte-Chapelle, a church with amazing stained glass windows.

Musée d’Orsay

I prefer the D’Orsay museum to the Louvre. It has a lot more impressionists and post-impressionist work. It is also was once a train station, so it is very pretty inside as well. Got early in the morning, and head straight to the back and top floor. From there you can get a great view of the city through the old train station clocks.

Louvre:

The biggest museum in the city, and the second biggest in the world. You can see the Mona Lisa here, but it also has a very cool egyption wing. You can visit the glass pyramids and walk around outside for no charge.

Arc de Triomphe and Champs-Elysées:

The Champs-Elysées is essentially the original 5th Avenue. It has luxury shopping, cafes, and restaurants. Like I said in my walk advice, it is best to walk toward the Arc, and not away from it, when checking out the Champs-Elysées (French for Elysium Fields, or the final resting place of the souls of the heroic and the virtuous in Greek mythology). I wouldn’t really pay to go on top the Arc, unless there is a super short line or something (you have to go under the road to get to the entrance).

The Army Museum (Musée de l’Armée) and Napoleon’s tomb:

This is cool if you are interested in military history, and armor. It also include Les Invalides, a working french military hospital.

Guide to Salon-de-Provence and Environs

We hope you love the small and beautiful Salon-de-Provence as much as we do! Check out the office of tourism website for information on things to do. We have included some things below that you might want to check out!

Things to do in Salon-de Provence

Chateau de l’Empéri

The Château de l’Empéri is a 9th-century castle built on the rock of Puech, which sits in the middle of Salon-de-Provence. The castle was the residence of the archbishops of Arles as well as the Holy Roman emperors. It is from the latter that the castle derives its name. In 1481, the Chateau came under the power of kings of France. Several kings and queens of France have stayed at the Chateau, including Francis I and his court as well as Louis XIV. In 1660 Catherine de’ Medici came to Salon de Provence to consult Nostradamus, the famous astrologer.

Arranged and embellished during the 15th and 16th centuries, it was used as jails and barracks after the French Révolution. Its buildings were restored in 1926 and the Chateau de l’Empéri now hosts a museum of Art and History Military.

The Marius Fabre Soap Factory

In 1900, Marius Fabre founded his soap company in Salon de Provence. Today, the fourth generation of his family is carrying on the tradition of real Marseille soap with the same passion. This traditional know-how, handed down through generations in our family, guarantees that Marseille soap has kept its peerless quality over centuries.

To book a guided tour in English, please call this number : +33 (0)4 90 53 82 75

Fontaine Moussue (Mossy Fountain)

Considered the “mascot” of the town, the Fontaine Moussue (Mossy Fountain) was originally built in the 16th century and is a prominent place for walks and gatherings. The current Fontaine was built by the sculptor Maurice Bernus in 1775.

The fountain’s two basins have been welded together by limestone concretions and are topped by moss and other plant life that give the fountain its unusual shape.  The larger Fontaine Moussue is decorated with four masks which spout water and is framed by four lions’ heads. The smaller Fontaine Moussue, located on Place Louis Blanc, has a crown decorated with mouldings. The fountain gets its water from the Font de Maïre spring, which has fed all the town’s fountains since the Middle Ages.

St Michel Chapel

Built during the 13th century, this chapel boasts a remarkable Romanesque tympanum featuring the paschal lamb.

Maison de Nostradamus

The Museum is located in the house where Nostradamus (1503 – 1566) lived from 1547 until his death and where he wrote his famous “Prophecies”. Discover this multi-faceted man who was engaged in Medicine, Pharmacy, Astrology, and Humanism at this museum. An audio tour of 40 minutes (10 scenes) will allow you to discover the life of this illustrious man and his scientific and philosophical works. The Museum also features temporary exhibitions, a bookshop and a collection of documents.

Open from Monday to Friday from 9h to 12h and from 14h to 18h (except some holidays). Saturday and Sunday from 14h to 18h.

Restaurants in Salon-de-Provence

Please remember that most restaurants in France are only open for lunch from around 12-2 PM and dinner from 7-9 PM. We advise to plan accordingly as it can be difficult to find food outside of these times. We strongly highly recommend making a reservation for dinner as most restaurants require them. Food and drink in Salon-de-Provence are very affordable.

Here are some restaurants we recommend:

  • Abbaye de Saint Croix
    Our wedding venue has a fabulous kitchen that serves great dinners and lunches.
    Price:  €45 – €60 prix fixe (3 course meal)
    Phone: +33 4 90 56 24 55
  • La salle a manger
    We ate here and it was delicious! Cody had the boar three ways.
    Price: €40 (two course meal)
    Phone +33 4 90 56 28 01
  • La Table Du Roy
    Price: €31 prix fixe (3 course meal)
    Phone: +33 4 42 11 55 40

You can find many more options for restaurants on the Salon-de-Provence Tourism Office website as well.

History of Salon de Provence

Château de l’Empéri

The areas around Salon-de-Provence have been populated for more than two thousand years. During the prehistoric period, Salon-de-Provence was occupied by the Salyens, who were sheep farmers and salt miners. Around 125 BC, the Romans dried the swamps around Salon-de-Provence and built a fortified military camp nearby, which became an important stop on the Via Aurelia. A local population settled around this fort.

In medieval times, the Villa Sallonne was part of the Holy Roman Empire, which explains why the castle in Salon-de-Provence is called Emperi. The emperors delegated their power to the Archbishops of Arles who become the lords of Salon. It wasn’t until 1404 that the city was officially recognized as a municipal organization.

During the 15th century, Salon-de-Provence experienced an economic boom while being ruled by the Counts of Provence, including the famous “Good King René”. However, following the death of King René in 1481, Provence was formally attached to the kingdom of France. During the sixteenth century, Salon-de-Provence, as did the whole of France, suffered from religious wars.

In Salon-de-Provence, two strong personalities stood out. In 1547, Michel de Nostredame moved to “Sallon de Crau” and wrote his famous “Prophecies”. In 1564, Salon welcomed Charles IX and his mother Catherine de Medici. On this occasion, the king granted the city a new coats of arms featuring a black leopard on a bright yellow background holding a shield with the fleur de lys, which remains the coats of arms and symbol of the city today.

In the 18th century, silk manufacturers were first established in Salon. In the 19th century, Salon-de-Provence enjoyed a real economic boom with the start of the industrial revolution. Many soap factories were built and the city was rich with trade in oils, soap, and coffee. Many mansions and castles were built during this period. Today, two soap factories are still active and trade still holds a prominent place in Salon. Since 1938, the city has been home to the Air Force Academy (Ecole de l’Air) and is a lively place for tourism.

This text has been modified from the Salon-de-Provence tourist page.

The Environs

Aix-en-Provence weekend market.

Towns and Cities

Aix-en-Provence (30 min from Salon-de-Provence)

A pocket of left-bank Parisian chic deep in Provence, Aix (pronounced like the letter X) is all class: its leafy boulevards and public squares are lined with 17th- and 18th-century mansions, punctuated by gurgling moss-covered fountains. Haughty stone lions guard its grandest avenue, cafe-laced cours Mirabeau, where fashionable Aixois pose on polished pavement terraces, sipping espresso.

While Aix is a student hub, its upmarket appeal makes it pricier than other Provençal towns. Aix has been a cultured, high-IQ sort of spot since Good King René had it as his 15th-century Provençal capital, bringing in artists, lawyers and nobles. They’ve kept on coming. Zola spent his youth in Aix as, more noticeably, did Paul Cézanne, a local lad. In 2004, Cody studied abroad in Aix, adding to the prestigious lines of notables that lived in the region.

Aix-en-Provence was formally founded by the Roman empire due to the presence of many natural springs and the city today is still strongly tied to water, with multiple natural fountains throughout the old town.

This text has been modified from the Lonely Planet and The Telegraph.

Cassis (1+ hour from Salon-de-Provence)

The beaches of Cassis. The rosé served at the pool party is from the Cassis AOC.

“In France, locals roll their eyes at crowded, touristy St.-Tropez—but they flock to Cassis, a tiny Mediterranean fishing port known for its clay-color buildings, rosé-producing vineyards, pebbly beaches, and affable locals, who, despite not speaking a word of English, are delighted to befriend any visitors who pass through their beloved village…” Read the entire review on Vogue.

Avignon (45 minutes from Salon-de-Provence)

The capital of Christendom in the 14th century, Avignon remains a treasure trove of architecture. Avignon charms visitors with its ancient streets, restored medieval ramparts and the immense Gothic architecture of the Palais des Papes.

Capital of the Vaucluse and the Côtes du Rhône, seat of the popes and city of art and culture, theatre, cinema, museums, big stores and little shops, Avignon is a small city that has everything a big one has, and then some.

From medieval streets and houses to private mansions from the Renaissance, passing through all its old and enticing squares, some no bigger than a tiny lane. And there are diverse dining opportunities, ranging from family-run restaurants, good and inexpensive to some of the greatest Michelin-starred chefs.  

The region is also home to the world renowned Châteauneuf-du-Pape AOC. In addition, multiple other AOC’s surround the region, including Côtes du Rhône Villages, Vacqueyras, and Crozes-Hermitage. These are some of the groom’s favorite appellations for reds.

This text has been modified from the Trip Advisor and the tourism website for Avignon.

Gordes (45 minutes from Salon-de-Provence)

Built on the foothills of the Monts of Vaucluse, facing the Luberon, Gordes is one of the most well-known hilltop villages in the region, and one of the most beautiful in France. Its houses and buildings of white stone root themselves into the sharp cliff of the mountain, its labyrinth of “calades” (narrow cobblestone streets) charm all its visitors. Many artists have stayed in the village of Gordes and have contributed to its fame. Some, such as André Lhote, Marc Chagall, Victor Vasarely and Pol Mara came to stay. Its views are unparalleled.

This text has been modified from the tourism website for Avignon and Provence.

St-Remy-de-Provence (40 minutes from Salon-de Provence)

Ravishing St-Rémy is about as cultured and chi-chi as Provence gets, and yet somehow – and in stark contrast to some of the flashier coastal towns (St-Tropez, we’re looking at you) – it’s managed to cling on to its heart and soul during the gentrification process. Built from honey-coloured stone, and centred on a lovely, plane-shaded square lined by cafes, St-Rémy is a favourite summer haunt of the jet-set. The cobblestone streets, small boutiques, and easily walkable town make Saint-Rémy-de-Provence an incredible places to retreat to.

This text has been modified from the Lonely Planet and Bon Traveler.

Baux-de-Provence (40 minutes from Salon-de Provence)

Set in the heart of the Alpilles, Les Baux-de-Provence is a listed heritage site that has won titles including “one of the Most Beautiful Villages in France”. The essence that gives Provencal villages their very special atmosphere and fragrance is here too – small squares, well-shaded terraces, narrow streets and small shops. While in the village, you can see the carrières de lumières, which hosts unique multimedia shows.

This text has been modified from Les Baux de Provence.

Natural Wonders and National Parks

Calanques (1 hour from Salon-de-Provence)

The Calanques, outside of Marseille, are a must-see natural wonder. The Calanques are a series of rocky cliffs and bays between the city of Marseille and the town of Cassis, in the south of France. They’re essentially inlets that have been formed in the limestone cliffs, leaving behind a series of beautiful little bays. The word Calanques, comes from calanche in Corsican and calancas in Occitan, which means “inlet”. The area has a very specific eco-system (with no soil – the plants live in the limestone) and has been a protected area since 2012, when the entire 20 mile stretch of Calanques was designated a national park.

This text has been modified from the Culture Trip.

Hiking in the Camargue (around 45 min from Salon-de-Provence)

The Camargue is a natural region located south of Arles, France. Officially established as a regional park and nature reserve in 1970, the Parc Naturel Régional de Camargue covers 820 km². This territory is some of the most natural and most protected in all of Europe. A roadside museum provides background on flora, fauna, and the history of the area. There are many good walks and hikes through the Camargue, you can find some options here.

This text has been modified from Wikipedia.

Les Ochres de Roussillon (50 min from Salon-de-Provence)

The former ochre quarries have wonderful hiking trails and beautiful panoramic views. Sculpted by storms, these former ochre deposits present enchanting scenery. Perched on a hilltop, the village of Roussillon overlooks the first quarries carved over two centuries ago. Natural pigments from the ochre deposits have been used since prehistoric times. In 1780, Jean Etienne Astier discovered that ochre can be used to make a non-toxic dye and in the 19th century, the exploitation of ochre was industrialized. The pigment was used in the making of stucco for the Provençal houses, because it is heat and sun resistant. The development of synthetic dyes led to a decline in production in the early 20th century. The old ochre factory can still be visited today.

This text has been modified from the tourism website for Avignon and Provence.

Weather

Weather in Provence

We are keeping our fingers crossed for some nice weather! The weather during the day should be a warm and beautiful mid-80s. The weather at night will be a cool and in the low-60s. Remember that all the wedding events will take place on a hillside and so there will be a breeze. We recommend light jackets or shawls for evening events.