A few years ago, I set off on a fabulous girls trip to Paris and the South of France with my mother and sister. It was the first time in that we had ever traveled together without other family members and we had a wonderful, memorable time. It was also quite nostalgic for me to return to two incredible cities, Paris and Marseille, where my true passion for travel and adventure bloomed. I spent a semester studying abroad in Paris and the following summer living in Marseille. Although I have been back to Paris many times, it was my first visit back to Marseille in almost 20 years. So much had changed yet so much also had remained the same.
One of the highlights of our time in France together was a day trip to visit the spectacular perched villages of Luberon. Each village we visited was more beautiful than the last and one of my favorites by far is Bonnieux. Perched high above the lush valley of Luberon affording a spectacular panoramic view of vineyards, orchards and medieval villages, sits the village of Bonnieux. Dating back to before Roman times, this picturesque Provencal town is a wonderful place to explore for its simple beauty, tranquility and quintessential Frenchness.
Perhaps what I loved most about Bonnieux is its charming architecture. The terra-cotta tiled rooftops, the colorful painted windows and the playful charm of Bonnieux made me smile. In light of today’s photo challenge, and my latest desire to explore new techniques to photography, I have reworked a series of my photos from this lovely town using the Painterly feature on PhotoMatrix.
I look forward to my upcoming reunion trip with my mom and sister. In two weeks, we are headed to Prague and London, two places once again I haven’t returned since living in Europe in 1993 (Ok, I’m dating myself here a bit!). It should be another epic, memorable time with two people I love dearly and enjoy sharing the world with. Stay tuned…
This post was inspired by the Weekly Photo Challenge: Abstract.
love love love
Oh thank you so much!
Lovely….the Luberon is a great region
Thanks Sue!
Superbe photo!
Thanks so much!
I hope you continue to photograph. I love this!
Thank you! 😊
These are absolutely amazing photos Nicole. How wonderful that you got to experience this incredible place with the people you love most.
Thank you Miriam! I had fun playing around with the photos and yes the trip was wonderful!
These all have a really cool painterly look and feel. Even rooftops look cool. Did you do this in the camera, or post process? A very fun look. Prague…I’ve always wanted to go there, haven’t made it yet. Have fun!!
I did this post process using photomatrix. I love love love playing with my photos!
Photomatrix…guess I’ll have to look that up. Is it like LightRoom?
I export from Lightroom into Photomatrix but only sometimes.
I have to get some training on this stuff
I love what you have done with these pictures. Magical. Perfect for the challenge. Enjoy your trip with you mom and your sister.
Thanks Lisa!
You have really captured the beauty and charm of my favourite village in the Luberon. My husband and I travelled to France last year and fell in love with France and this particular village. They are really gorgeous photos.
Thanks so much Julie! Appreciate your comment. 😊
I love the warm colours of the stone in this part of France.
Thanks so much! 😊
Oooh I didn’t know France had hill towns like Italy. They look lovely. Enjoy Prague another place I would like to go to one day. Bon Voyage.
Yes and so lovely!
I love the architecture and what you’ve done with the photos! Someday I hope to have time to play around with my photos, too. Looks like fun.
Thanks so much Lexi!
Absolutely beautiful Nicole. The village is beautiful, and your photos lovely and the Painterly effect enhances them even more.
Alison
Thank you so much Alison!
Have a fabulous time with your Mom and sister. How fun ot revisit these spots a
few’ years later. 🙂 Your editing of these images is so striking Nicole. Beautifully done.
Thanks Sue! Yes I am really excited to go on this trip!
Oh, now I must go there! Fab pics!
Thanks! You’d love it!
Wow, amazing place. Beautiful photos too. Very nicely done!
Thank you so much! 😊
Lovely series Nicole and the Painterly effects add to the beauty of the images. I must give it a try 🙂
Thanks it was fun to do!
The colours are so wonderfully faded, aren’t they Nicole? A lovely memory. 🙂
Thanks Jo!
Awesome pictures, I loved them !!!!
Thank you so much.