Friday, March 25, 2011

Lambesc

On of the great things about living in Provence is that you can't drive for half an hour without stumbling upon a gorgeous village or two.

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Whenever we have a half day spare we love to load the kids in the car and explore one of these nearby villages; we've never been disappointed.

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A few weeks ago we visited the town of Lambesc.

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The view across a vineyard and farm on our way there - Mount Saint Victoire in the background:

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Lambesc isn't a tourist town but that doesn't make it any less picturesque or a joy to explore.

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The Church of Our Lady of the Assumption (built in the 1700s) sits within the town centre:


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This wall below one side of the church has what looks like war/bullet damage but I couldn't find any references online to Lambesc being the site of fighting. Should've asked a local...

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A sombre monument to those who have died in war lies before the church:

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In 1909 Lambesc (and surrounding villages) suffered considerable damage in an earthquake which measured 6.2 on the Richter scale. Over 40 people were killed and the earthquake remains the worst in France's history.

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The streets are old and atmospheric:

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I have a serious addiction to photographing doorways and windows which Lambesc shamelessly encouraged:

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For those looking for non-touristy streets to ramble, I would definitely recommend Lambesc.

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14 comments:

Sarah - Red Gingham said...

I miss places like that. We don't have anything even slightly like that in NZ. I love old and worn looking and I love windows with shutters too.

Amy said...

These are gorgeous! We only got through Paris last summer and I would love to explore the rest of the country!

Susan said...

Thanks for the tour Kirsty! Beautiful! And earthquakes in France... that's something I never knew!

Selina said...

Just gorgeous Kirsty! I have a little doorway and window photographing addiction too, can't wait to snap away like crazy in just over a week!!

deedee said...

Hey, you were in my town...and you didn't even stop in for coffee :)

blandina said...

Can you believe that I have never been in Provence? Your photographic reportage gave me the wish to visit, I love little forgotten and sleepy villages.

Unknown said...

Your photos are lovely.

Marg said...

Thanks for the lovely pics. Take as many photos as you like of doors and windows, I love looking at them!
Lambesc definitely looks like a wonderful place to tootle around.

Jenny M said...

I also have only managed to visit Paris, maybe one day we will get back to France to explore the beautiful villages & countryside. Love your photos of the doors & windows, and I wish I had the rock wall with moss in my backyard.

Kirsty @ Bonjour Quilts said...

You must, Jenny - there's so much more to France than Paris!

michelle said...

such beautiful images, thanks for the tour. is that a ghost gum i spy outside the door of no.29?

Kirsty @ Bonjour Quilts said...

No, it's actually a Plane tree. Very common here in France and used to line long roads. Lovely when they have leaves, not so attractive in winter though.

Eva said...

Lovely, such a great atmosphere! I have a thing about windows and doors, too. In older places like this they are usually full of character.

Angela said...

oh I love the picture of the moss on the stones especially!

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