Colors of Provence...Living a colorful Life

Colors of Provence... that stir up the sound of cigalles, red wine, brocantes, the soul of the artist, the smell of bread, the sounds of the blue seaside... the colors of Provence, what color defines you? What symbol of color tells your story?

The colors that define Provence at the moment are wrinkled green olives ready for harvest.

Changing leaves on the vine, bursting red, shocking orange with shades of golden yellow.

Provençal facades sport new coats of color which chase me into the nearest shop and buy a scarf.

 

 At the French market the colors show off Autumn in shades of Chestnut, walnut, mushroom... bringing a savory aroma into the home.

The sound of French "boules" colors the courtyards and main squares, the men gather and conversations rich with accents and assaults. "Mais Non-Mais Oui!"

The color of Pastis, soft hued, gentle breeze, warms the heart, paints the mood....

color of Provence ...true blue.

 

French lanterns burning brightly into the night as sounds of Edith Piaf sing deep in the memories of the French psyche.

Chalkboards paint the perfume of French cafes, spilling the fragrance of wine, cause our taste buds to roar, colors of Provence vineyards, harvest shades of... Cassis, Bandol, the landscape of Provence ...

French boutis found at the brocante, the natural dyes old Provencal colors, gathered, soaked, printed, quilted...  generations of warmth handed down, layer by layer...

Colors speak of the soul, and Provence would not be Provence without baked orange tiles. What color speaks of your soul's desire? Mine seem to be a color box full of sprouts of rice green, long roads of gravel after the rain, pomegranate red, and billowy clouds of white. Though I live in Provence the colors of my soul are of Willows.

Cassis, where dreams float and colorful shutters set the stage.

To remind us of summer, the scent alone brings Provence to life. Lavender.

Colors at the brocante, weaving past to present. Colors that cause my hands to itch and want to grab it.

In Provence open doors never sing the blues, how I love to dance inside and create a party.

The colors of Provence adds rose to your cheeks, especially when the green glass is see through.

The colors of Provence gather in the baskets at the market, in the sounds at the town square, you can feel the colors wrap around you as you walk amongst the changing leaves that cling to the facades that stand strong year after year. The colors of Provence beckon you to come see, to touch that which is real, to embrace the beauty that is yours... live a colorful life.

Notes of interest:

Autumn decor

Zinc is a color

 

Comments

[Marilyn]

Corey, I have been thinking about what colors speak to my soul since you posted yesterday. I hadn't thought that the colors from your childhood would stick in your soul, as you mentioned Willows. I noticed the colors when we traveled to Italy a month ago, the blue of the water and the natural, soft tones. But the color I now think of is green with a touch of red. I wish I could wear green, but no I just enjoy it in nature around me with splashes of red flowers or leaves to make it more exciting. This is from my growing up in Sebastopol where all my family were apple growers. I love seeing the apples in the market and touching their smooth skin. Thanks for encouraging us to think of color around us.

[Amy]

the painting inside the blue doors...enchanting. The chandelier isn't bad, either. :)

[Tammy]

I love the color purple and all its many shades as they remind of calmness and passion for dreams, journeys, and treasures of the heart. I loved visiting with you today...what a lovely walk I had.

love and blessings

[Mo'a]

I adore colors...red, cobalt blue, purple, yellow, orange, white and black...are the colors I tend to use.
I often dream of an all white and zinc room...but in truth I would be adding a bit of red here, yellow there, purple pillows would look good I would reason...the next thing you know I would have just the kind of rooms I live in now.

[Erin]

a lovely post and it inspired me to get going on my travel plans ;)

[Wonders Never Cease]

Wow! I feel I've been on vacation!
I love the little Santon at the end!
Becky

[kay]

..stunning photos..thanks for sharing your corner of this colourful world...
K.
ps..am I the only person on the planet who hates motorbikes???

[Debbie in CA : )]

Stunningly beautiful -- poetical and perfect. I think this may be my favorite post EVER! I did not laugh or shed a tear . . . I fell deeply under a spell and floated on the colors of my soul (which simply must be undergirded in pink . . . pick a shade, any shade and you've found a window to my soul).

What a gift! Thank you. : )

[Kris]

All of it beckons to my soul. If I had to pick one color out of all of the colors that make up Provence, I would be unable to do so. All of the colurs speak to me. I feel as if it is me that is walking through the streets taking photos. Beautiful photos and a soul stirring post that make me feel as though I am there.

Kris

[Isa]

I just died and went to heaven - these photos are simply gorgeous. Corey, I stumbled onto your blog a week or so ago, and I have coffee here almost every morning now. You paint such a lovely world through your photographs, it makes my heart long to live there!

Isa

[ceylon sapphire]

Oh Corey,
Boutis, lavender and old lace at the brocante.... you have this readers heart beating faster. And for the record, my colour right now? Green - with envy!

have a wonderful weekend!

Ceylon

[beachy]

What a delightful breath of fresh air this morning, Corey! My mind is now in Provence (while my hands are doing the teeange boys' laundry)! Wish I could do my laundry in Provence! heehee

[Rosemary]

Corey,
Thank you for that colorful tour. It was breathtaking!!
Have a wonderful weekend,
Rosemary

[phyllis]

Ay yi yi!!! That first Brocante picture!!! Oh Corey. what am I gonna do?

[Ladelle]

Corey, thank you for sharing Provence with me first thing this morning! I loved everyone of your beautiful pictures and especially your pure and lovely thoughts from the heart...Have a wonderful weekend. I think instead of a Harley Davidson- I want to purchase a trip to Provence next Fall...ahhhhhhh...

[Regina, St. Maarten (DWI)]

Thank you for sharing with us these splendid colours of the Provence. And have a wonderful weekend!

[kenju]

Simply a gorgeous post.

[Miss Sandy]

Thank you for the beautiful feast for the eyes this morning. You make me want to go out and capture the colors of my world here. Maybe I will!

[anna]

Oh, what lovely photos and colors! Thank you. My favorite colors change with the seasons. At the moment, after an 8 inch snowfall during the night, everything is crystalline white and sparkling,and so serene...like a Christmas card.

[Dee]

My favorite colors are the fall colors!
http://dweathers-gast.blogspot.com/ ...just a little taste of California in the fall. I should have run up to Willows and snapped a few pictures!

Beautiful post...wonderful pictures this morning...makes me want to go back to France!

[Vicki]

What a lovely post Corey...our color today is white as the snow is flying!! Can't wait to come to Provence next October.

[splendid]

your lovely photographs and words reach across the vast ocean and touch my heart making me homesick for a place i've never been.
wishing you love and laughter on this splendid autumn day!

[Suzanne, the Farmer's Wife]

Simply beautiful. I'm suddenly wanting a glass of Kir.

I suppose my colors would be the colors of winter light. Pale blue, pink and purple, hazy in a blanket of white.

- Suzanne, the Farmer's Wife

[Massilianana]

My colors : the crisp blue of the sky after three days of Mistral , the transparent turquoise of the sea in the calanques , the vibrant pink of bougainvillées , the pink façades of century old buildings in the streets of Marseille ,the somptuous red of poppies covered fields , there , not far ,the mouth watering green of fig ( I mean one of my favorite little cakes : all wrapped in green marzipan with a delicious butter cream inside ! And , the real thing , the fruit of course )...I could go on for ever !
Your pictures are wonderful , like always !

[my melange]

And such lovely colors they are!!!

[Marie-Noëlle]

Singing colours
Colourful words

Your post colours my grey sky and so brightens up my day...

[Gracie]

I just adore Provence colors! Mine is lavander, absolutely, I love it, its smell reminds me of such lovely moments, since I was a kid. Thanks for sharing your pics.

[Jeanne]

I love your tours of France
We call those orange flowers Chinese lanterns here..........
I have them in my garden.
I love you
Keep the magic flowing
Kisses
Love Jeanne

[le petit cabinet de curiosites]

1st comment this morning ! I love these colors and like always your photos show very well our brightful provence