Page 224 - (DK Eyewitness) Travel Guide - Provence & The Côte d'Azur

222  TR A VELLERS ’ NEEDS

What to Buy in Provence

Best buys to be found in Provence are those that reflect the
character of the region – its geographical blessings of
bountiful produce and its historic traditions of arts and crafts.
While the chic boutiques of St-Tropez or Cannes may rival
Paris in predicting the latest fashion trend, your souvenirs
of Provence should be far more timeless. The evocative
scents, colours and flavours they offer will help to keep
your holiday memories alive throughout the darkest Lavender, one of the
winter months, and longer – at least until your next visit. perfumes of Provence

The Scents of Provence
Provençal lavender is used to perfume a
wide range of goods, but most popular are
pretty fabric sachets full of the dried flowers.
Bath times can be heady with
the scent of local flowers and
herbs, captured in delightful
bottles, and Marseille’s
famous olive oil soaps.

Olive oil savons de Marseille

Orange water Linden-scented
from Vallauris bubble bath
Dried lavender, packed Mallow-scented
in Provençal fabrics bubble bath
Glassware
Glassblowing is a modern
Provençal craft. At Biot
(see p78) you can watch
glassblowers at work, as
well as buy examples of
their art to take home.

Pottery
Look for traditional
tiles, cookware and
storage jars made
from terre rouge,
formal china of Terracotta Santons
Moustiers faïence Provençal Christmas cribs are peopled with these
(see p190) or art­ gaily painted traditional figures. Most crafts shops
works of grès clay. offer a good choice of characters.