Blue Sky Living

La Crise and the BBC

As editor of a local magazine I was asked to participate in a programme about how the credit crunch was affecting France. Sam the producer made a preliminary visit and assured us all that we were in safe hands, this was a BBC programme and not made by one of those slipshod independent companies. What's more it was a serious economic study of the French attitude towards the housing market and housing development.

At the appointed hour we arrived in the bar in Bonnieux. The table was dressed with some saucisson and some pichets of pink wine and there was Sam assuring us again it was going to be a serious programme. The other members of the panel were already present - a nice architect called Andrew from Bonnieux and a couple of English home owners from a neighbouring village.

We chatted for a bit as we waited for the film crew, who eventually arrived a couple of hours late. They'd had all weekend filming in Provence and this was their last set. Oblivious to the beautiful scenery the camera man grumbled about the wretched BBC and the long hours. We were miked up and all was ready and only at this stage after a research trip and a whole weekend filming, did the bloody obvious occur to the director. In fact it may have been Andrew the architect who intervened and pointed out that if one was making a programme about the French attitude towards property wouldn't it be a good idea to interview  a Frenchman.

Frantic phonecalls followed but no bilingual Frenchman who developed property was immediately available.

Lou Pebre D'Ail Lauris

I am busy finishing off the next magazine this week, so here's a guest review of a local restaurant by my father in law!

Credit crunch lunch

Blue Sky Living challenged its readers to find and review the best value restaurants in the Luberon and Les Alpilles. Here Stuart Southgate presents the case for Lou Pebre d’Ail in Lauris which offers a three course lunchtime menu for just €13.50

Lou Pebre D’Ail, 78 Avenue Joseph Garnier, Lauris, Tel: 04 90 08 27 00

As you approach Lou Pebre the first impression is not one to set the pulse racing. Right on the main road leading into Lauris, the outside with its plastic windows suggests better times. Through the porch and into the restaurant there is an immediate change. Arriving at 12.40 we were struck by the fact that all the tables were taken save for ours and another table for two. The atmosphere of bonhomie was apparent. Forty plus customers were already hard at work, the wine was flowing and the wonderful smell of good food pervaded the air.

Extreme Boule

When I look back on the day it makes me smile. Hardened Provencal boulistes who seldom stray far from their bar and the boule square opposite were spread out all across the vineyard. They played in the lavender, they played in the vines. No terrain was too harsh for them as they relentlessly hunted down the cochonnet. The wonder of the day was that they didn’t just shake their heads in disgust and go home. Instead they embraced extreme boule. “Can we play this every weekend,” “it’s like golf but cheaper,” they cried as they meandered through the provencal countryside surrounding Chateau Saint Esteve de Neri. “C’est le fanny” they shouted as they blew raspberries and kissed each other’s bottoms.

The response was overwhelmingly positive, so positive that it’s possible to say a new sport has been born. Watch this space for details of the next tournament.