"Q" is for Quarry

An old limestone quarry in the foothills of the Alpilles Mountains near Les Baux-de-Provence has found new life as Carrières de Lumières, a venue for high tech multi-media shows featuring the artworks of the world's greatest painters. Moving images are projected onto the floor, walls and ceiling of the quarry to the accompaniment of a musical soundtrack. The artists on display in 2018 are Picasso and the Spanish Masters.

Carrières de Lumières, Les Baux-de-Provence

Previous A to Z Posts:
"Q" is for Queen
"Q" is for Quarantine
"Q" is for Quay

"P" is for Picasso

Like many artists before him, Spanish artist Pablo Picasso spent time living and working in the south of France. In the years following WW II he established a studio at Chateau Grimaldi in Antibes, which is now a museum dedicated to his work. Here visitors can view paintings, sculptures and ceramics created in the Cubist's distinctive style.

Ceramics, Painting and Sculpture by Pablo Picasso

Previous A to Z Posts:
"P" is for Peter Pan
"P" is for Peacock
"P" is for Princess

"O" is for Ochre

Ochre is a natural earth pigment that has been used by painters since prehistoric times. Colours range from yellow and orange to red and deep rusty brown. The village of Roussillon in Provence has the world's largest known deposit of ochre.

Ochre Cliff, Roussillon

Previous A to Z Posts:
"O" is for Oxford Street
"O" is for Obelisk
"O" is for Olive

"N" is for Negresco

The luxurious Hotel Negresco on the Promenade des Anglais in Nice has played host to a number of celebrities including Princess Grace of Monaco and The Beatles. The chandelier hanging in the hotel's Royal Lounge was originally designed by Gustave Eiffel (who built the famous tower in Paris) for Tsar Nicholas II of Russia. The tsar was unable to take delivery of his chandelier when revolution broke out in 1917.

Hotel Negresco, Nice

Previous A to Z Posts:
"N" is for National Gallery
"N" is for Nightfall
"N" is for Nîmes

"M" is for Market

Whether it's the Cours Saleya in Nice, the Marché Provencal in Antibes, or any other small town market these centres of community life are a must-see for the visitor to France. And for me, the stars of any market are the colourful specimens of fresh produce like these sweet peppers and zucchini blossoms.

Stars of the French Market or Marché

Previous A to Z Posts:
"M" is for Millennium Bridge
"M" is for Majolica
"M" is for Macaron

"L" is for Luberon

This beautiful region in southeastern France was made famous by Peter Mayle's memoir A Year in Provence. And one of the Luberon's most iconic images is the lavender field in bloom. Being surrounded by the floral perfume along with chirping cicadas and the hot summer sun was a bucket list experience come true!

Luberon Lavender Field

Previous A to Z Posts:
"L" is for Leadenhall Market
"L" is for Lemon
"L" is for Lavender