Issue No.26

However, Provence has so much more to
enchant. If you visit the highest mountain in
Provence, Mont Ventoux at 1912 m (6269
ft), the climate is a bit cooler and the flora
has reflects the alpine influence.
On the north side there sits a tiny village
called Brantes. With no more than 83
inhabitants and far removed from the
popular tourist destinations that receive daily
tour buses through the tourist season,
Brantes seems suspended from its mountain
perch. From here, you have impressive views
over the north side of Mont Ventoux. And
this side of the mountain is nothing like the
south side that most people see. There are
no roads, just a few trails crisscrossing its
slopes – irresistible to keen hikers. Here the
peaks often stay snowy until early spring.
Brantes is a Medieval village with houses
built into the rocky slopes. It’s a serene place,
it’s mountain location and the river valley
below leave a lasting impression on all who
visit. There’s been a village here for at least
1000 years, and at the top are remains of a
Medieval castle which once belonged to the
powerful Les Baux family. Yes, the same
family from the village Les Baux de
Provence – one of some 70 fortress castles
they owned in the south of France
Brantes was a village that time forgot. The
residents only got running water in their
homes in 1958. Before that they used they
did their washing at the community wash
basin!
Beautiful Brantes
When people think of Provence they
consider the Mediterranean climate. The
sight of Aleppo pine trees opening up like
lush green umbrellas, scrubland abundantly
filled with aromatic rosemary and thyme,
vast limestone cliffs falling to the valleys or
to the turquoise coloured water of the
Mediterranean Sea…
What I love most about Brantes is the way
everything melts together in truly beautiful
harmony. The cobblestone lanes seem to
reach out to the horizon, the jagged rooftops
float up to the sky. The flowers that clamber
over the facades of ancient buildings and the
breath-taking backdrop of the north Ventoux
ridge, a valley away, but it feels as though
you could reach your arm out to touch it. I
love to take visitors here to discover the
botanical paths and forage for herbs to have
with lunch…