It’s Tuesday and that means it’s market day in Cucuron. The drive from Bonnieux to Cucuron this morning was perhaps the most winding road I’ve ever been on. Sheer drop offs and sudden switchbacks make for an engaging ride to say the least. In addition to navigating other vehicles there are also the cyclists who seemingly risk their lives around every turn. The wind has finally died down from its blustering and it’s a sunny and warm day in Provence. I think driving to each of the villages is half the fun!
Cucuron is a pretty little village with winding streets and a style that continues as if still in the Middle Ages (with modern day cafes and conveniences, of course). If you’ve seen the movie A Good Year, then you will recognize the large pool of water in the middle of the main square. It’s called a bassin and is surrounded by towering trees that provide a lovely shaded canopy. Even on a very warm day the air is cool and the sunlight dances down through the leaves. There are tons of fish swimming happily in the bassin. Their bright orange scales reflect the Cucuron sun whenever they surface for a piece of baguette thrown in.
The Tuesday market was already humming when we arrived in the morning. Be sure to come early for a parking spot and to avoid the largest crowds. Pretty much everything can be found here – produce, seafood, sausages, chicken, olive wood products, pottery, and clothing. We bought more olive wood pieces as well as some vegetables for dinner later this week. I couldn’t pass up a carton of fresh figs and I even found some vegetable dyed yarn, produced right here in the Luberon.
After perusing the market we sat down at a cafe for two cappuccinos and some people watching. Lola was being so good, as usual. Many people brought their dogs to this market.
Next we explored the town on foot, making sure to enter the Notre Dame de Beaulieu church to see its impeccably restored organ from 1616. It just so happened that a woman was rehearsing Ave Maria at that time. Perched against the outside of the church was a large poplar tree. The tradition of this is in thanks to Cucuron’s patron saint for saving the town from the plague in 1720. The tree must be as tall as the church itself.
Market treasures in tow, we came back to our cottage to have lunch and spend some time by the pool. Did I mention our cottage has a pool? It was the perfect way to relax and unwind for the day. I brought my rosé bottle pool float, which is such a shock, I know! 😉 Lola slept on a lounge chair and we got the vitamin D we desperately needed.
Tonight we have dinner reservations at Chez L’arôme here in Bonnieux. It’s going to be so nice to walk to dinner. I’ll be sure to share more on stories, but for now, it’s nap time.
Bonne nuit et à demain!
xo – Erin