Le journal des Gîtes de Bel-Air · Vaucluse N° 45 — 1 April 2024 – 30 April 2024

L’Écho de Bel-Air

Édito

2024 will be a year like no other, as it will be difficult to use the pond at the Bel-Air gîtes for some time because it has been snowing in Les Taillades.
Waiting for the thaw to arrive so you can have a pond as beautiful as in other years.
During April, I would advise our holidaymakers to pack hats, scarves and down jackets to cope with the wintry temperatures that have set in at TAILLADES...

THE ORIGIN OF APRIL FOOL’S DAY

In 16th-century France, the change to the calendar went unnoticed by many, not to mention those who refused to accept it. Everyone continued to celebrate the New Year as before. They therefore continued to exchange gifts and New Year’s presents on 1 April. So, to make fun of them, pranksters came up with the idea of giving them rather special presents: fake presents, just for a laugh… It is since that time that 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.

A favourite tourist spot

CYCLING ROUTE: 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 earliest recorded evidence of human settlement dates back to the late 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, a village listed amongst the Most Beautiful Villages of France.
Situated at the foot of the Petit Luberon on a rocky outcrop, Ménerbes overlooks the Calavon plain with its vineyards and cherry trees, which offer a veritable spectacle of colour with each changing season. To the north, the view stretches as far as the Vaucluse mountains and Mont Ventoux, also known as the Giant of Provence. This village has preserved numerous reminders of its rich historical past.
Many artists, writers and musicians, such as Nicolas de Staël, Dora Maar and François Nourrisier, have made Ménerbes their home, all drawn by the beauty of its landscapes, the tranquillity of its narrow streets and the friendliness of its residents.

BONNIEUX

A village with a rich past
Founded in the Gallo-Roman period, Bonnieux is a fortified village that has preserved many vestiges of its past. The village boasts a rich architectural and historical heritage, featuring 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.
Nestled in the heart of the magnificent Luberon region in Provence, the village of Bonnieux is one of the hidden gems of the south of France. Perched on a hilltop and offering breathtaking views of the surrounding countryside, Bonnieux is a must-visit destination for lovers of history, nature, fine food 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 been inspiring many local and international artists for decades. The Savannah College of Art and Design (SCAD), a prestigious American university situated in the heart of the village, is regarded as a real artistic hub!
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.