A countryside scented with lavender, apples and tomatoes, small villages with colourful houses and sun-drenched towns alive with the sounds of farmer’s markets and bustling cafes; this is a portrait of Provence.

Journeying deep into the region  

Located in the Southeast corner of France, Provence is a melting pot of culture and a patchwork of diverse landscapes. The land rises and falls, from rocky mountains and banking fields, to sandy beaches and flat salt marshes. Vast swathes of the landscape are covered in woodland, populated typically by holm oak, pine and olive. It is here - underneath the evergreen canopy of the chêne vert that spills across much of the mountain range in the east of the region – where the Le Chameau team have arrived to meet a family of truffle hunters.

Rooted to the Land follows a family of truffle hunters and their dog, exploring the most secreted parts of Provence’s woodlands as they hunt for truffles; a true flavour of the land and soil that lies beneath their feet.  

Locally, it is said that the region of Provence is culturally split into two by the River Durance. The east of the river is mountainous and largely focused on Mediterranean influences due to its connection to the sea and access to an abundance of seafood, while there is plenty of warm sunshine, perfect for growing lots of fruit and vegetables. The west of the river is much flatter, used to farm animals like the Camargue cattle for beef, the local breed of cow that graze the saltier soils of this region.

The Camargue region is also where you’ll find a diverse array of wildlife including flamingo - a group of these birds appropriately called a ‘flamboyance of flamingos’.  

“Picture streets full of antique furniture, oil paintings, cafe bistro signs and baskets, stalls decorated with bowls of olives, nuts, fruit and veg, rounds of cheese, charcuterie, loaves of nougat, fresh fish and bags of lavender.”

One of the many beautiful Provençal towns to visit is L’Isle sur la Sorgue in the department of Vaucluse. L’Isle sur la Sorgue is known as the ‘antiques capital of Provence’ with hundreds of antique shops and weekly flea markets to enjoy. It is also called the ‘Venice of Provence’ with its series of canals that run through the town’s heart like branches set in emerald, each filled with green reeds shimmying like mermaid tails.  

L’Isle sur la Sorgue is a charming, quaint town to visit. We would suggest visiting on a Thursday or Sunday when the region descends on the town for their weekly farmer’s market and flea market. Picture streets full of antique furniture, oil paintings, cafe bistro signs and baskets, stalls decorated with bowls of olives, nuts, fruit and veg, rounds of cheese, charcuterie, loaves of nougat, fresh fish and bags of lavender. The cheese and lavender stands you’ll be able to smell before you see them, guiding you by their delectable aromas.  

The food of Provence is made up of an eclectic array of fresh fruit and vegetables, fish, meat and cheese. It’s particularly famous for its olives, watermelon, apples, tomatoes, mountain cheese made with goat’s milk, herbs from the mountains (Herbs de Provence), anchovies, and of course, truffles.  

Other notable attractions of the town include breakfast or lunch at Cafe de France, a walk along the canals to see the water wheels that were once used for papermaking, silk weaving and oil milling, a visit to the impressive Notre-Dame collegiate cathedral in the town’s centre and for a culinary experience visit one of the town’s several Michelin star restaurants like ‘Le Viver’ on the River Sorgue that shines a light on local produce.  

Our Le Chameau boots are worn all around the region of Provence with our iconic Saint Hubert and Explore styles the most preferred choice of footwear. Find out more about ‘Rooted to the Land’ as we explore Provence and learn about its culture.