Typical Provence: what really makes the region special

Typical Provence – for Anna and Lukas, that doesn't mean lavender fields or Instagram hotspots, but rather a return to a small community called Roquebrune-sur-Argens, which has barely changed in years and is precisely why it's so special to them. Every late summer, they pack their Citroën, drive south to a vacation home in Provence, and immerse themselves in a world where life has a different rhythm.

It's the conversations at the market, the scent of freshly baked bread, and the evening clatter of boules that define typical Provence for them. Not spectacular. But authentic.

This story tells of a couple who keep coming back. And of why the true magic of Provence often lies in the everyday.

A morning in Roquebrune-sur-Argens begins quietly. Even before the sun bathes the Rocher in warm light, the scent of pine and fresh bread fills the narrow streets of the village center. Anna and Lukas wake up early, as always during the first few days of their stay.

Anna grabs her linen bag and makes her way to the Boulangerie du Rocher on Rue André Cabasse. As soon as she enters the door, she's greeted by the warm aroma of freshly baked baguettes, pain de campagne, and classic croissants. A friendly smile from the young saleswoman behind the counter greets her. Through her many stays in the South of France, Anna has acquired a knowledge of French and takes every opportunity to improve it a little in conversation.

On the way back through the village, Roquebrune-sur-Argens is already bustling. An elderly man is watering geraniums, a moped rattles by, and a cat is sunning itself on the warm stone wall. The view falls on the Chapel Saint-Michel, behind which the Rocher watches over the valley like a silent sentinel. It's this backdrop that makes typical Provence so special for Anna and Lukas.

Back home, the scent of coffee fills the air, the table is set, and the baguette is still warm. There's no hustle and bustle, no time pressure, just the moment. This is what Provence feels like: honest, tranquil, and full of little encounters that make the day special.

Anyone who wants to experience typical Provence can't miss a stroll through the weekly market. No matter the location, markets are an integral part of everyday life and reflect the regional spirit. For Anna and Lukas, they have long been part of their travel routine. In Roquebrune-sur-Argens, they discovered a market that they visit every year.

The alleys fill with life early. The market in Roquebrune-sur-Argens takes place in the Le Village district, around Place Alfred Perrin in the southern part of the village. The market is always held Friday mornings. In addition, there is a special summer Sunday market, the so-called 5-sens-market, on Sundays from around mid-June to mid-September (approximately June 16–September 15). Here, around ten stalls offer a mix of fruit, vegetables, cheese, clothing, and household goods – typically Provençal, yet pleasantly manageable. Soon, the scent of herbs, lavender soaps, and fresh fruit mingles with the buzz of vendors.

Anna and Lukas love these mornings. Even before the market gets crowded, they stroll between the stalls, sample pickled olives, cut themselves a slice of Tomme de Provence, and chat with the vendors. In French, of course, as best they can. Some faces they recognize from previous years, others seem new. Lukas gets a small coffee from the mobile stall, while Anna is captivated by a light summer dress at the textile stall.

For them, the market is much more than just a place to shop. It is a vibrant expression of what defines typical Provence: colors, smells, regional products, and, above all, people who meet each other. Here, among the olive oil and lavender, life feels easy.

Typical Provence begins at the market

With fresh herbs, sun-ripened tomatoes, and a goat cheese from Roquebrune in their basket, Anna and Lukas return to their holiday home. For them, a typical Provence vacation includes cooking from time to time, preferably outside on their terrace in their holiday home in the South of France. Today's menu includes ratatouille, served with crusty baguette and a glass of local rosé. A simple dish, but for them the epitome of typical Provençal cuisine: seasonal, aromatic, and uncomplicated.

Restaurant visit: creative or classic by the sea

On other days, Anna and Lukas head to one of the local restaurants. They were particularly impressed by a menu at Les Jardins de l'Orangeraie, where they consciously sampled typical Provençal dishes. This year, they chose green asparagus with fluffy scrambled eggs, served on goat's cheese and smoked duck breast for their starter. A very sophisticated combination of fresh ingredients and regional character.

This year's main course was a crispy roasted farmhouse chicken leg, accompanied by morels in a vin jaune sauce and golden-brown roasted potatoes. An aromatic, rustic dish that combines French down-to-earthness with elegance. They finished with warm brioche bread, baked in egg and milk—similar to French toast—served with fried pineapple and salted caramel.

On another day, Anna and Lukas spend the afternoon on the Côte d’Azur. True to the motto: sun, sea, and the scent of salt and herbs in the air. In the evening, you can dine at Restaurant La Daurade Plage, a Mediterranean restaurant right on the water. The menu offers a fine selection of regional dishes, primarily featuring fresh fish and seafood.

Anna opts for the "Fritto misto," a mix of crispy fried fish and seafood served with homemade tartar sauce. Lukas goes for the classic: a sea bream fillet, seared skin-on and accompanied by vegetables tossed in olive oil. The combination of authentic flavors, Mediterranean breezes, and waterfront views makes this evening a culinary highlight of the trip.

For Anna and Lukas, eating in Provence is more than just consuming food. It's part of the daily rhythm, often slow, but always enjoyable. The rich aromas, the fresh bread, the good oil: all of this is simply part of typical Provence.

The typical Provençal dishes they particularly appreciate include:

• Ratatouille: a braised vegetable stew with eggplant, zucchini, tomatoes, and herbs
• Pissaladière: a hearty onion tart with olives and anchovies
• Daube Provençale: slow-braised beef in red wine with bay leaves, garlic, and orange zest
• Tapenade: a spicy olive paste, usually served as a spread
• Socca: a crispy flatbread made from chickpea flour, typical of the south

And that's precisely why they take home not only souvenirs but also recipes after every trip.

What defines everyday life in Provence? It's not the big experiences, but the small habits that run through the day. A stroll through the alleys in the morning, a quick chat with a neighbor at the vegetable stand, or a glance over the olive groves on the outskirts of town. There's not much planning involved; life is lived at one's own pace, often in harmony with the weather.

Many shops close at lunchtime, and the village quiets down. People treat themselves to a siesta or sit in the shade on the terrace, often with a book, a pastis, or a simple espresso. Children play in the square, older men meet for a game of boules. In the late afternoon, the squares fill up again, with shopping, conversation, and laughter. The aperitif is just as much a part of the experience as dinner, and neither is rarely eaten alone.

For Anna and Lukas, this steady, relaxed rhythm is part of the magic. No two days are alike, yet they all carry the same sense of calm. This is precisely what makes everyday life here so typical of Provence.

For Anna and Lukas, Roquebrune-sur-Argens has long been more than just a vacation spot. It's a place that feels familiar. Many familiar paths, familiar faces, and small moments that repeat year after year. Here, the morning tastes of fresh baguette, the evening of rosé, and in between lies the life of typical Provence.

At the end of each trip, they take with them not only new memories, but also the silent promise to return. Because what makes this region so special is not its extraordinary nature, but its recognizable quality. And that's precisely what keeps them coming back time and time again.