Snapshots of Spring in Provence

It was just this past weekend that we spent a grey and stormy evening in Marseille, wondering what had become of our promised spring sunshine.

As people quite accustomed to their fair share of soleil, friends and neighbors have become rather grumbly (see: très French) over the past few months as France has seen a especially long, and particularly cold, winter.

Thankfully, the first signs of spring are finally arriving, with a real buzz of activity taking place all around town this week. The markets feel alive…  fruit, flower, and produce vendors are call out jubilantly to passersby about the arrival of seasonal products, while shoppers get ready to start their spring cooking projects (some gorgeous violet artichokes have caught my eye).

Now is also the time when the squares and promenades start to fill with mid-day diners. Spring and summer in the south of France are definitely meant to be lived outdoors, and at the first hint of sunshine, the French flock to outdoor restaurants and cafés.

For my part, the good weather has me dreaming of trips past; namely spring weekends spent picnicking at Sanary-sur-Mer or early-morning drives to Cassis… to beat the crowds for a peaceful boat ride along the Calanques.

This is the start of the best time of year in Provence, hope spring is just as bright and full of life where you are!