Provence from Fayence outwards

Fayence Video

Fayence the Movie. Came across this video of the Fayence neighbourhead on Youtube. If you want to see what the area looks like, it's a great start.

Fayence weather

I have been asked several times for more information on the weather in Fayence: surprising really in this day and age, Google and all that. Still, here we go. For Fayence the average temperatures month by month are:

	Average maximum temperatures	Average minimum temperatures
January	13°	4°
February	12°	4°
March	14°	7°
April	16°	9°
May	20°	13°
June	23°	17°
July	27°	19°
August	27°	19°
September	24°	16°
October	20°	13°
November	16°	8°
December	13°	6°

Perfect, hey?

Fayence

Fayence

We ventured into Fayence for market day on Easter saturday. The French seemed fairly chilled about Pacques: most of the shops were open on Good Friday and Easter Monday - rather pleasant for we Brits to have all the colourful, local establishments at our disposal when we're used to shut shops.

This photo is right in the middle of the village - looking up the cobbed streets to the old ruined castle (a good vantage point, but not many bricks). On the left you have the Hotel le France, a Swedish-run restaurant, good food, well presented, moderately smart. Market-weary visitors take a morning coffee by the roadside.

Looking in the other direction from the top of the market, the market square is dominated by the church. Spring is in the air, it is 22c and the branches are budding. Down below, the aromas of local produce for sale at the markey waft upwards and you catch the chatter of folk going about their business, haggling over Provencal fabrics and saucisson.

Fayence Life

Found this suite of tools for manipulating one's digital images: one for movie posters and one for magazine covers (actually, a referral from Fraise).

So...I made a magazine cover.

Wolf Rilla R.I.P.

I was sorry to hear of the passing away of Wolf Rilla, who owned the Camandoule Restaurant in Fayence in conjunction with his wife, Shirley. I had not been aware of Mr. Rilla's distinguished past, my only contact through the rather good cuisine at the Camandoule which I have enjoyed all year round. Our condolences to his wife and family.

Montauroux gets acknowledgement it deserves!

Montauroux has finally been included in Provence Beyond  (da da, I hear you shreik). It is strange that Fayence, Seillans and even Callian have been included for donkey's years, but poor Montauroux has been allowed to wilt on the vine.

Still, of the above list, it ranks....last in my humble opinion. It has limited visitor appeal (i.e no inspiring/charming walks I am aware of), minimal class-act or "typical" restuarants we can recommend and our only trips there are to the Casino for provisions or to drive through it to the Leclerc.

Best things about Montauroux:

1) The plane trees on the way to Callian and the view of Callian as you leave the village
2) The view towards the Mediterranean from the village square
3) The cinema
4) The summer-only outdoor restaurant Le Jas de Soupie down in the valley (book to avoid disappointment).

Sorry, Montauroux (village fleuri), or am I too harsh?

Fayence's Terre Blanche for "geriatrics"

So the truth is out, and blessed by the Financial Times. The Four Seasons gives "the rather disconcerting feeling of being in a geriatric ghetto." Ha!

Aerial photography of Fayence and Provence

Great find by Résidence Les Marronniers. For lovers of Fayence, here is a direct link.

Paris-Nice cycle race passes right through Fayence

I am prompted to vent my feelings about cycling, following the publication of a detailed route map through Provence. I remember seeing the same race with mild interest on Belgian TV last year, masses of cyclists traversing my route to and from Nice airport (near Fayence and Montauroux), and sighting the Leclerc supermarket we all know and love.

I just don't understand it myself - the French enthusiasm for dressing up in lurid, heavily branded high-tech stretchy gear and struggling up mountainous terrain. The reward, no doubt, is in heaven. OK, so they look fit. Even stranger, surely, is watching it. The chance of seeing a bit of "overtaking" or a "wipe-out" must be remote. Still, if the transport workers are on strike, how else do you get around?

When the blur of yellows and greens - sponsored by Peugeot - whizzes past Fayence, I shall be playing tennis in London: in the men's doubles final. Go on, Lance.

Au Feu de Bois : ye olde bakery(e) in Fayence

Au Feu de Bois clearly has its own special dough, oven and baking strategies, handed down from father to son over the centuries.

"The bakery 'on the woodfire' proposes leaven breads exclusively cooked on firewood, a manufacture in the old style. DISCOVER THE SAVOUR OF THE ANTAN'S BREAD Discover also a pastry making varied with specialities like the tropezienne (by order), the almonds 'croquets'... BUFFET WITH A WADDING CAKE ANYTHING YOU WIS TO ORDER WILL BE FULFIL"

We all like our fresh croissants in the morning, but these guys need a bit of a leg-up on the olde Englishe (and, basically, a few orders).