Tuscany or Provence?

Thunderstorms with heavy rain and steadily falling temperatures are driving us out of the beautiful Alps.

The buzzing song of the cicadas promises pleasant warmth as we set out to rediscover the beauties of Provence.

Millions of tourists have kept us away from this region in recent years, with well-trodden paths through lavender fields, olive groves, and vineyards. But we cannot resist the magic, enchanting and captivating us with wonderfully natural picturesque villages in picturesque locations.

Avenues shaded by thick, old planes, market squares with trickling fountains, stone houses with colorful flowers in front of old wooden doors, paved narrow streets, a light that drove Van Gogh crazy - everything exudes a very unique, very French, and immensely charming atmosphere that immediately captures us. Best to buy the next old building tomorrow and never leave again!

However, as in many southern regions, water becomes scarce in late summer. In Provence, streams and rivers are often only recognizable by their rocky riverbeds. In search of the essential bodily hygiene, we are daily looking for the cleansing waters.

Thanks to the all-knowing data highway, we always find what we are looking for. Sometimes we are surprised by filled potholes with surprisingly cold water. Not as cold as the water from the Isère, which had the temperature of melted snow and only allowed a very quick cat bath. Also not as cold as the Lac de Roselend in the Alps, which requires a nerve-racking climb until the quite cold water is reached. 20 meters of altitude may not sound like much, but with a 25% incline, it can quickly go downhill. So fast that I almost didn't dare go the last few meters to the shore! Going up is always easier...

Paths to the Drôme are not easy to find, but once found they lead you to the water.

In contrast to the Eygues, which has a wonderful bathing spot well hidden, but to get there I have to slide on my pants because the stones are loose, and the dust that covers me when I arrive at the shore obscures the river for some time.

Since we have been here, we have been pondering independently of each other: Tuscany or Provence? Tuscany surprised us with special images, impressed us with its beauty, and above all let us enjoy wonderful specialties.

But Provence offers the more beautiful views, the more graceful landscape, and a specifically French laissez-faire atmosphere with sunflower-yellow and lavender-blue aromas of juniper, thyme, rosemary, and oregano.

And sleeping places for our mini camper are so plentiful, uncomplicated, and romantic that unfortunately Tuscany cannot offer that.