Fox Amphoux, Provence
There are places that we travel to that we find quaint and think” I so glad I visited”, but occasionally you visit somewhere and think “OMG, I could see myself living here”. Fox Amphoux is just such a place. Situated in the Var region of Provence, Fox Amphoux is a pretty little village divided into 3 areas about 2 km apart. The best is the area on the hilltop which historically is the resting place of the Knights Templar. About 20 years ago this part of the village had about 250 villagers but today only about 15 families reside permanently. Many of the properties have become summer homes to not only the French but from as far away as Sweden. It is through one of the Swedish families that I came to love this village.
Barbro Henning, a friend from Sweden restored a local ruin more than 20 years ago and has written a book on the area. The village of Aups, about 15km away has been known as the place to buy truffles. In the past there were daily auctions but due to climate changes, the production of truffles is about half from 2007. The auction only occurs on Thursdays from November to February.
Just north of Fox is the Grand Canyon of France, Gorges du Verdon. The gorges was carved out by the Verdon River which is like a stunning turquoisenecklace against a striking long neck of limestone wall. To the west of the Gorges is the quaint town of Moustiers nestled 100m up on the limestone cliff. Standing tall as the focal point of the village is the 12th century Church of Notre-Dame de l’Assomption. Because of its proximity to the Gorge and Lake Sainte-Croix, Moustiers has become filled with tourists but I still think a must to visit.
South of Fox is the village of Cotignac where on market day you could spend hours absorbed in the sights and sounds as you sit and sip Kir or coffee.
The great thing about visiting this area is that at every turn in the road there is a new adventure, whither it be a local goat farm or the lavender fields in July. As I am all about food, you will not be disappointed with your culinary or wine experiences in and around Fox Amphoux.
