Curious Provence

a Curious Canadian in Provence

In Remembrance: Vintage War Postcards

by 1 Comment

war postcard

French WWI Postcards, in Remembrance

While sifting through vintage postcards I found these at a flea market here in France. In honour of Remembrance Day or Veterans Day, I’m sharing them with you.

I find these images, meant to uplift, quite heartbreaking.

Unfortunately, my grandfather passed away before I was old enough to think to ask him about his experiences. I know that he fought in several different countries. Robin’s grandfather was captured at Dunkirk and forced to walk to a prisoner’s camp in Germany from there. He spoke very little of his experience.

These French postcards are from WWI. What are your favourite books, films, stories about WWI or WWII? Did you have a family member that fought or was displaced at the time?

…

Read More »

Joyeuse Pâques! Easter in Provence

by 8 Comments

Easter in Provence

The bakeries are full of handmade chocolate. The church bells have stopped ringing last Thursday only to burst to life on Sunday morning, and just about everyone is planning a large meal that is sure to include some local lamb and spring veggies.

Easter Chocolate

The biggest difference between Easter here and my native North America? Most French people buy their easter eggs either at the local bakery, which has made them especially, or an artisan chocolatier. We eat a lot less, but higher quality chocolate. This is the mantra for just about anything food related here in France. The radio commercials that warn you that snacking is bad for your health make me laugh. In Anglo-Saxon culture, all people ever seem to talk about concerning eating habits is snacking! I’m personally with the French on this one- I’d rather stretch the limits of my stomach on a 3 course meal any day!

To get you into the Easter spirit, here are some scans of cartes postales anciennes that I’ve acquired through many hours of rifling through stacks of old papers at assorted vide greniers.

Vintage Easter French Postcards

cartes postales anciennes

Would you like some eggs?

…

Read More »

Vintage New Years Postcards from France

by 3 Comments

Happy New Year from Provence!

My resolutions? Hmm. All the usual suspects really.

Here is a selection of some vintage New Years postcards in my collection. These are generally from the turn of the 20th century up until the years of WWI. The postcards aren’t simply happy holiday images; some are quite somber (despite their smiling faces) with their effort to uplift soldier’s spirits. Either way, their sometimes odd symbolism, and faded colours are a joy.

I hope you enjoy these images as much as I do! A little bit of old to bring in the New Year…

bon annee carte postale

…

Read More »

Merry Christmas from Provence!

by 1 Comment

The cafes are full inside and out today in Provence as everyone enjoys the mild weather. The baker is furiously making fougasse/pompe à l’huile for tomorrow, the local epicerie can’t seem to keep fresh mejool dates (that melt in your mouth!) and clementines on the shelves. There are towers of foie gras beside the cashiers in the grocery stores. Just in case you somehow managed to forget to buy some for tomorrow’s meal. I can’t wait to see the fish stalls tomorrow in my local village. Just about everyone will be buying shellfish and smoked salmon. The meal of the 24th, or Le Gros Souper, is more important here than the meal of the 25th. Traditionally full of Christian symbolism, “Le Gros Souper” is actually a simple meal of simple dishes consisting of fish and vegetables all served at the same time. The dessert, the famous “13 desserts” is a mixture of seasonal fruits (fresh and candied), dates, nougat, dried figs and raisins, nuts and finally a

I can’t wait to see the fish stalls tomorrow in my local village where just about everyone will be buying shellfish and smoked salmon. The meal of the 24th, or Le Gros Souper, is more important here than the meal of the 25th. Traditionally full of Christian symbolism, “Le Gros Souper” is actually a simple meal of simple dishes. It consists of fish and vegetables all served at the same time. The dessert, the famous “13 desserts” is a mixture of seasonal fresh and candied fruits. These include dates, nougat, dried figs and raisins, nuts. The meal is completed with a pompe à l’huile or fougasse flavoured with orange blossom.

Are you in the spirit? Here are a few vintage postcards to get you in the mood…

…

Read More »

Vintage Parisian Postcards

by 2 Comments

A Curious Find: Vintage Parisian Postcards

I was at the Carpentras flea market a couple weeks ago and came upon this 1920s album. I couldn’t help myself when I saw that the book was being sold with postcards as well.

Despite most likely paying too much, the first 3 pages were filled with vintage Parisian postcards. These evocative images of Parisian architecture are wonderful!

vintage postcard book

…

Read More »