The Wild Spring Flowers of Provence

After a stern winter, spring in Provence comes alive with a spontaneous display of colors. Along the roads, yellow broom and mauve valerian spring up to signal that the dark months of winter are over. Red poppies add a vivid accent.

The true connoisseurs look for the little gems, hidden in the abundance of wild vegetation: wild orchids, tulips, lavender, crocuses and more. Since I don't reckon myself to be a connoisseur and need to have a little orchid pointed out to me three times before I finally notice it, I went on a guided tour, organized by the local tourist office.

The area we explored was the plains of the massif des Maures, just south of the Autoroute A8, exit Le Luc (in the Var). It was 6 euro well spent. Our guide was an enthusiastic botanist who explained that the particular geological make-up of that area (cristalline, rich in silica) allows for the exotic flowers to spring up in April and part of May.

Later in spring and summer, the region becomes completely arid without a sign of water. But when the rains return in winter and early spring, the dormant flora comes to life and with it, little water creatures such as small crayfish and frogs.

On my return I gave my neighbour an enthusistic account of the tour. He then led me to a patch in his garden with another variety of wild orchids. As with many things in life, you can have a gem right under your nose without realizing it.