Hi Everbody

We have just returned from two lovely weeks holiday in Provence, one of our most favourite areas in the World.

Lavender fields near Castel de Mornas on our journey to Provence

We drove from the UK in leisurely style stopping twice on the two long journeys.

Alas we hasd a lot of thunderstorms in the afternoons and evenings whilst in Tourettes, near Fayence in Provence, but that didn’t stop us enjoying it all a lot . It did curtail eating dinners outside in the evenings though which we were very surprised were occurring in June. Storms often seem to be more common in August and September after a long hot summer.

I was able to do quite a lot of painting watercolours which of course I really enjoyed. 

Below are my efforts which I hope you will like.The string of hill villages and towns from Vence to Seillans and beyond are are delightful, lovely narrow streets to wander through, and so here is Tourettes where were were staying in a lovely traditional home with views of the countryside.

Tourettes, pen and wash sketch , 10 inches by 9.

Close by is the village of Callian. These fortified towns are very old and each one is well worth the visit. In each you will find cafes, boulangeries, and restaurants with delightful local produce to enjoy.

Callian near Montauroux and Fayence. Watercolour sketch 10 inches by 9

Non more so than Seillans where the restaurant “Chez Hugo” is very good and the setting of the Restaurant “La Gloire de Mon Pere” is depicted below.

La Gloire de Mon Père . Watercolour sketch 10 inches by 9

Nearby too was Fayence where in the square by the Église Saint Jean Baptiste are Cafés and Restaurants , and many more further up into the town.

Further north from Seillans and Fayence is the fine town of Bargemon

Here is quick sketch of the shoppers there.

Of course whilst in the Côte D’Azur we could not resist a trip to St Tropez, using the ferry from St Maxime. We were very lucky to see a large yacht race going on in the waters just off St Tropez too and here is watercolour of the scene as we entered the harbour there.

The yacht race off St Tropez. Watercolour 14 inches by 7 on Arches paper.

In St Tropez there are so many great scenes but this new one is from the Quad towards the Church. The church is a great landmark from all around.

Cafés and stalls on the Quai at St Tropez. Watercolour and ink sketch 10 inches by 9.

This is a watercolour from a previous visit but as it one on my all time favourite scenes to paint I could not resist including it here

Port de Pêche in St Tropez from Le Quai de la Pesquière. Watercolour 18 inches by 14, on Arches paper.

And one more, a back street with lovely restaurants at the rear of that famous Church

From St Tropez, after lunch in Le Mazaran restaurant, (with the green umbrellas above and great omelette and chips, washed down with local Rosé wine)  we took the ferry back to St Maxime and then we drove all the way round the coast back to La Napoule  via St Aygulf, Fréjus, StRaphael, Agay and Théoule sur Mer on the wonderful Esterel coast road, surely one of the greatest coastal drives in the world!

being on the Côte D’Azur is never complete for us without a visit to Antibes and so we also went there once again. With the great castle opposite Antibes is a lovely town to visit and enjoy a coffee ,or lunch in one of the many eateries there.

Antibes and the mountains behind the town. Watercolour 14 inches by 10 on Arches Watercolour paper

We really do love Provence and the Côte d’Azur, and no doubt we will be back again in the future

Until then I hope you have enjoyed these few watercolours of this wonderful region of France

Happy Travelling

Brian