Livology

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A Visual Feast: Aix-en-Provence Market Day

Spring emerges in Provence. It gradually comes into the light and is all at once dazzling. During our time in Aix-en-Provence, we were lucky enough to witness spring debut, and nowhere was it more evident than at the weekly farmer’s market.

When we arrived, the trees were ghostly bare and the shoppers were still bowing to the wind, heads down, and tucked into beautiful French scarves. In what seemed like moments, the shiver was replaced by billowing canopies and saffron-colored bouquets.

Shoppers began to linger in the market to listen to musicians while feasting on quiche lorraine and sipping fruity vin rosé. Bulbs pushed through with ferocious tenacity and local winemakers started praying that no frost would follow the warmth of the early spring days. Everyone was outside at every possible moment.

Cafes set up tables in every corner square, families teetered on the edge of fountains, and people-watchers perched on bar stools along the Cours Mirabeau. What a glorious experience to witness spring beaming through the sights, sounds, and savories of the Aix-en-Provence farmer’s market.

We hope through this video and images, coupled with excerpts from a translation of Frederic Mistral’s legendary Mireio: Provencal Poem you will be transported for a moment if that is what you desire …

Ay, ay, when I was young but that was long ago,
I’d sing to any man’s desire;
But now my voice is but a broken lyre.

 

aix-e-provence-market-shoes
“Why, say but the word, and, ere homeward our footsteps.”

 

aix-en-provence-market-lemons
“I see yon airy little bough: It mocks me with its freshness even now; Fruitage and foliage that cannot die.”

 

aix-en-provence-market-spices
“Wherefore the basket-weaver, well-content, rose with his son and to the table went.”

 

aix-en-provence-fountain
“Father,” young Vincen said, “the clouds look wild about old Magalouno’s tower up-piled. If that gray rampart fell,’twould do us harm: We should be drenched ere we had gained the farm.”

 

aux-en-provence-market-olives
“And one thing more!” cried Vincen, eagerly, “The very best of all, it seems to me, I mean the maiden, father, who dwells here. Thou canst not have forgotten how, last year, She bade us bring her olive-baskets two, And fit her little one with handles new.”

 

aix-en-provence-market-carrots
“Come to your supper, Ambroi: no declining! Put up the crib, my man: the stars are shining. And thou, Mireio, run and fetch a bowl: The travellers must be weary, on my soul!”

 

aix-en-provence-market-crepes
“Then hasted sweet Mireio to prepare, With her own hands and in the open air”

 

aix-en-provence-market-radishes
“And shake no more the verdant canopy! Hush for one moment, O thou childish breeze! Breathe soft and whisper low, beholding these! Give them a little time to dream of bliss, To dream at least, in such a world as this!”

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