THE ORIGIN OF APRIL FOOL'S DAY
In sixteenth-century France, the calendar change escaped the notice of many, not to mention those who refused to accept it. Everyone continued to celebrate the New Year as before. So they continued to give each other gifts and presents on 1 April. To make fun of them, some pranksters came up with the idea of giving them gifts that were a bit special: fake gifts for a laugh... Since then, 1 April has become the day for pranks and hoaxes.
CHANGES TO PUBLICATIONS
The Echo de Bel-Air is changing its publication dates. It will be published every two months from the first of April. This is not an April Fool's joke, but the result of sanctions against me.
I was audited by a Swiss company for using licensed images.
I had taken care to respect the tagged images, but the regulations proved me wrong. To avoid making the same mistakes again, I now have to check that the images are copyright-free before using them. This takes time, which is why I publish every two months. I'm keeping to myself the amount of the fine that followed the letters of explanation.
In fairness, I can tell you that this is a deterrent.
THE ICE SAINTS
Despite the centuries, the saying about the Ice Saints still applies. With the arrival of spring, it's not unusual for frosts to damage the vineyards.
All those who work the land know that it is wiser to wait until the period between the feasts of the apostles Mamet (Estelle), Pancrace (Achille) and Servais (Rolande), on 11, 12 and 13 May, has passed before planting.
Wine-growers and fruit-growers also fear the first horsemen or knights of the cold on 23, 25, 29 April and 1 May for Saints George, Mark, Robert and Philip.
These white frosts are common and it is not uncommon to see them as late as mid-May. As the transition between winter and summer, spring is always a period of great meteorological instability.
OUR TOURIST FAVOURITES: CYCLING TOUR MAUBEC, MÉNERBES, LACOSTE, BONNIEUX
MAUBEC
But if Maubec is so much in tune with the times, it owes it to its long past and its natural and monumental heritage, which is being promoted by volunteers and institutions to the delight of all.
The oldest recorded traces of human occupation date back to the Final Neolithic period:
Mr A Dumoulin noted the presence of a burial site in the Maillet cave, on the edge of the Luberon, where he discovered a vase, copper ornaments and shells. Closer to home, two cremation tombs from the Gallo-Roman period were discovered along the old road from Maubec to Robion.
The current RD 900 (formerly the N100) closely follows the route of the ancient Via Domitia, which linked Italy to Spain.
MÉNERBES
Ménerbes, one of France's most beautiful villages.
Situated at the foot of the Petit Luberon on a rocky outcrop, Ménerbes dominates the Calavon plain with its vineyards and cherry orchards that offer a veritable spectacle of colour at every change of season. To the north, the view extends as far as the Vaucluse mountains and Mont Ventoux, also known as the Giant of Provence. The village has preserved a wealth of evidence of its rich historical past.
Many artists, writers and musicians, including Nicolas de Staël, Dora Maar and François Nourrisier, have made Ménerbes their home, captivated by the beauty of its scenery, the tranquillity of its narrow streets and the friendliness of its inhabitants.
BONNIEUX
A village with a rich past
Founded in Gallo-Roman times, Bonnieux is a fortified village that has preserved many vestiges of its past. The village has a rich architectural and historical heritage, with monuments such as the 12th-century Old Church, the Hôtel de Rouville, a former mansion built in the 16th century, and the Pont Julien, a Roman bridge spanning the Calavon.
Nestling in the heart of the magnificent Luberon region of Provence, the village of Bonnieux is one of the little-known gems of southern France. Perched on a hilltop with breathtaking views over the surrounding countryside, Bonnieux is a place to discover for lovers of history, nature, gastronomy and crafts.
LACOSTE
Lacoste, the village of the arts. Overlooking the Luberon plain, the village of Lacoste offers breathtaking views from the Luberon to Mont Ventoux. As you wander through its steep, winding streets, you'll discover the authentic charm of Provence's hilltop villages. Here, almost nothing has changed, with no shops or restaurants stealing the limelight from the stone houses and medieval heritage.
Lacoste is a village steeped in history that has inspired many local and international artists for decades. The Savannah College of Art and Design (SCAD), a prestigious American university located in the heart of the village, is considered a veritable artistic lung!
Lacoste is also famous for its château, once the property of the Marquis de Sade, and for its famous stone quarries, which are now a prestigious venue for high-profile events.