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While it is impossible to fact-check (maybe I should ask ChatGPT), many long-term Provençal residents will tell you it always rains on or about August 15. After that, summer starts winding down, with noticeably shorter days and chilly mornings. I wrote this after a heavy rainstorm in August.
In the aftermath of a fierce summer storm, every being breathed a sigh of relief despite the powerful weather. Finally, after a long wait, there was water for the gardens and crops after months of near-drought conditions. Nearing harvest, the winemakers were thankful for some moisture for the grapes. The heavy rain cleansed dusty olives to a shiny green, and wild fennel flashed its delicate yellow flowers. Then a violent mistral wind blew for five days clearing the vines of any remaining moisture. So, the cicadas nearing the end of their season chanted with far less intensity and then one day only silence.
The varieties of plums and figs in the markets are mind-blowing, and there may be hints of orange, butternut, and dark green squash. Enjoy the preview of delicious things to come in the fall markets.
You may witness some grape picking in the region. In Côtes du Rhone vineyards, this can only start after the proclamation by the Grand Maître de la Commanderie at the Ban des Vendanges in Avignon on August 25 and 26, 2023. This wine-oriented event is free to the public, and festivities involve plenty of juicy fun, including a market, a parade, and a dance in the evening.
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Enjoy the rain,
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