Fall traditions

Traversado

Provence used to extend beyond the nowadays borders, e.g. 15 valleys in Italian Alps (Val Maira, Val Grana, Val Varaita...) used to belong to it. They still speak Provence language (not a dialect, a language recognized by the European Community).

Each year at the end of August, Comboscuro, one of these valleys organizes a “roumiage”, the name for Provencal gathering. People come from all over Provence by car or on foot over the Alps. Generally 10 000 persons meet in the tiny village of Sancto Lucio. For 3 days we have dances, music, songs, conferences about Provencal concerns and traditions. This is the perfect event for people looking for a deep insight of our culture.

Inherit age weekends
Twice a year (in June and September), access to museums and monuments is free. It is also possible to visit public buildings which are usually closed to people. Some private persons or companies also open their properties to public when they are of specific interest (former palace, botanical gardens…).


Cypress
Cypress is along olive tree and almond tree the most popular tree in Rhodanian Provence.

Raw of cypresses protect cultures against Mistral, the local strong wind.

A landlord plants one to three cypress trees by his new built home to ask for male children and to greet the passing-by travelers.

By the way, when a child is born, the first persons to visit must bring 5 presents which represent qualities expected from the kid:

Que siègue bon coume dou pan            (should he be as good as bread)
Que siègue san coume la sau                 (should he be as healthy as salt)
Que siègue dre coume uno brouqueto   (should he be as straight as a match)
Que siègue plèn coume un ioù               (should he be as wealthy as an egg)
Que siègue dous coume lou mèu           (should he be as sweet as honey)