Friday, December 21, 2012

Apt in the Luberon Valley

Before I take you on a short tour of another lovely village, I wanted to say thank you to Pink Chalk Fabrics for choosing my Modern Chevron quilt tutorial for the finals of the Handmade With Love Tutorial Contest 2012.


Voting closes today so pop over and vote for whatever takes your fancy in the four categories. You'll also find a link to all 130 tutorials that were submitted to the contest - tons of free inspiration all in the one spot!

So, back to the lovely town of Apt which is located in the Luberon Valley, Provence.

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We visited about a month ago on a Saturday, because Saturday is market day. And Sara Louise had told us Apt is one of her favourite markets so we thought we'd better check it out.

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Sara was right. The markets are large, stretched out along many of Apt's picturesque streets and alleys, and have a great variety of vendors.

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Provençal quilting (known as boutis) where stuffing is used between two wholecloths

I can't believe I forgot to take a picture of the cheese.

Walking through the stalls we came upon the 11th century Cathédrale Sainte--Anne.

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Looks a little spooky, huh?

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If you want more spookiness you can go down under the main altar into a pre-Roman crypt.

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And then down another level to the spot where Christian worship supposedly first occurred in the town.

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The passageway has stone tiles (around 1000 years old) decorating the ceiling and there are relics housed behind the grate (said to be the bones of Saint Anne, mother of the Virgin Mary, but I have no idea how they verify these things.)

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Notes and prayers to St Anne had been stuffed through the grill:

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After the markets began to close up we walked a little further, trying to find a restaurant for lunch (they were all full).

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So instead we went to a wood-fired pizza van and picked up some lunch-to-go:

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Which we ate in the park across the road:

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The pizza was fantastic and the kids had a ball running around the grounds.

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So don't forget - if you're looking for a great market, try Apt on a Saturday.

It's exactly two weeks and two days until we leave France. I think I've finally come to terms with it.

Plus we've run out of Vegemite so it must be time to go home.

Have a great weekend, everyone. We're off on a one-night getaway in Gordes for our 14th wedding anniversary. Photos will follow! (Of Gordes, not our anniversary celebrations. Ahem ;)

17 comments:

Esch House Quilts said...

I voted for your Mod Chevron quilt - which I already love :)

I'll miss all your wonderful French photography, but, my guess is, I'll love your wonderful Australian photography too :)

Teresa said...

Once again you've spotted wonderful places and details. I think a pizza in a park like that would be as good as in any restaurant. And I love the curves around the window of the École de Musique and in the local quilt. (I haven't done much quilting yet but I've admired your Chevron on the sidebar since I found your blog so you certainly had my vote.)

Susan said...

Our last rural meal in France in 2011 was in Apt! We loved it! Pizza in the park looked like a great option! Enjoy Gordes, we loved it! (I think we rode up to there!)

Salley said...

That was easy... yours was definitely the best!
Happy safe returns and hope Santa isnt confused as to where you are.

Hitch and Thread said...

I'd forgotten about voting, thanks for reminding me. I shall miss your lovely photography of France. I guess it will be a bit of a culture shock coming back to Aus, what with all our "ancient" buildings and history. Happy wedding anniversary too!

Omma Velada said...

It really is like being there, and those market pics are just sumptuous. I look forward to your shots of Australia.

Joop Zand said...

Hi Kirsty

Very nice shots with lovely light and colors....you have visit nice places
and have made very good photo's.

Greetings, Joop

Wish you a wonderful Christmas time and all the best for 2013.

JoeinVegas said...

Pizza in the park seems like fun, it looks like a lovely town

Katy Cameron said...

Looks like fun! Hope you have a great getaway :o)

blandina said...

Wouldn't I miss your detailed descriptions of the Provence's villages and the chronicle of your family's little trips. I also enjoy your pictures, and seeing those babies grow through them.

Sara Louise said...

YAY for Gordes! Can't wait to here all about it (ok, maybe not ALL about it).
And it was fun to see Apt through your eyes, it looks prettier but church is ridiculously spooky, I will never ever go into it because I'm a scaredy cat. x.

Marg said...

Yep you can censor your trip to Gordes, but I'm really going to miss your French posts. Photos of a day trip to Inala just won't be quite the same, although there could be a sense of adventure in that, lol.
Congrats on being in the Pink Chalk HWLT contest, and of course I voted for yours, it's the best.

Aidan said...

Congratulations Kirsty. There were some pretty things to vote for in there....I liked one of the pillows too.
If I can order a case of Vegemite will you stay!?
Happy anniversary you two love birds.
A x

Annie Cholewa said...

That cathedral is awesome! I love the gloomy, stone and wood aesthetic.

Hope you have a wonderful anniversary :D

Bridget said...

I just discovered your blog when I saw your Chevron Quilt, which is totally awesome. Love your travel pics!

Kirsty @ Bonjour Quilts said...

Thank Bridget, great to have you here!

Naturally Carol said...

I hope you had a wonderful Christmas. I guess you'll be busy at the moment organising your journey home...all the best for the New Year and your new plans!

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