Marché Paysan - Le Coustellet

Marché Paysan –Le Coustellet

Andy and I have fallen in love with Provence, especially the area that surrounds the Alpilles where we have spent the past two weeks shooting for ‘Lunch in Provence’.

We spent time here last year while photographing for ‘The French Cat’ but this time we are able to experience the true essence and vibrant life that populates the villages during the hours of the day that cats are curled up asleep on their favourite chair or  nestled in the shade of a bush escaping the heat of the Provençal sun.

There are endless quaint little villages, many of which have one day of the week when they are normally quiet, then still streets come alive, with the village market. The stalls are laiden with the local fresh fruit and vegetables, breads, pastries and sweets, wines, meats, and cheeses, and that is just the food produce.  The streets are buzzing, filled with locals and the numerous tourists that have started to swarm Provence now that the temperatures are climbing rapidly towards the mid 30’s.

The famous ‘Mistral’ wind decided to show face on the day we visited Le Coustellet to photograph the ‘Marché Paysan’, the first day in a long time that I wore jeans and a sweatshirt! Though inspired by the beautiful rich fresh products displayed, I captured some great images for ‘Lunch in Provence’, but it was the four legged furry friends behind the scenes that grabbed my attention. Befriending the locals, they were all more than happy for me to create images of their beloved companions.

‘Domino’ a Brittany Spaniel , waiting patiently in the back of his owners van, was adorable, even though he was a little over enthusiastic to meet me, but more than happy to oblige and let me capture his portrait for potential inclusion in ‘The French Dog’.