Saint ValentinThe scent of romance
If you want to ramp up your appeal, we’ve got just what you need: the “Savon à la Pomme d’Amour” soap courtesy of La Savonnette Marseillaise, an artisan creation enriched with shea butter, redolent with sweet scents of apple, sugar and candy… It’s almost good enough to eat (but we don’t recommend trying).
Fireworks, romantic decors and tête-à-tête dinners are great, but as far as originality goes, you can definitely do better. If you really want to make your mark, plan a sweet-scented stroll around Grasse, the world’s perfume capital. In addition to being very picturesque, the town’s historic quarter is home to the biggest names in perfumery (Fragonard, Molinard, Galimard, etc.) and even an International Perfume Museum. What better way to get your partner hot on the scent? You really are a very special person you know…
Valentine’s Day is all about love – and flowers of course! In Provence and on the Côte d’Azur, golden mimosa blooms in the winter sunshine, instilling the air with its powdery perfume. If you want to offer a loving gift that smells like something dreams are made of, opt for a romantic walk on the mimosa route spanning Bormes-les-Mimosas, Sainte-Maxime, the Tanneron hills and Mandelieu-la-Napoule. No time for a fragrant foray? Enjoy a voyage for two from your armchair with our article on mimosa…
Love on a plate
Still think you can do better? How about a naughty-but-nice outing to “Ni Queue Ni Tête” in Aix-en-Provence, where you can savour a tempting “pancake-style fluffy naughty waffle” shaped like a “zizi” or “chatoune” (and if you don’t know what they are, you’ll just have to look them up). These sexy little gourmet delights (“Plaisir, “Grosse Gourmande”, “La Luxure”) come with a choice of toppings (Nutella, dark chocolate, white chocolate, etc.), plus a sprinkle of crushed hazelnuts, salted butter caramel or gold dust. So grab your “Zizi” or “Chatoune”, take a nibble and head out for a stroll on Cours Mirabeau. Defiantly different.
Sweet, delicious and full of finesse… Honey from Provence and the Southern Alps is an ode to love. Treat your loved one to a pot on Valentine’s Day or savour it in the shape of a “suce-miel” – little artisan lollipops from Allauch brimming with fabulous Provencal and Alpine flavours. They’re also great for sore throats and sending a message. So if he/she asks you what the meaning of the gift is, simply tell them you’re a very generous person who loves giving without expecting anything in return… In fact, you’re one of a kind!
If savoury fare is your thing, don’t despair! On Valentine’s Day, succumb to the temptation of a devil’s kiss, the affectionate nickname given to Bleu du Queyras cheese. A speciality of the Hautes-Alpes, this blue cheese has a (very) strong taste. And while you’re at it, you might want to delve into some other devilish culinary sensations, like sharing a clove of garlic in bed or a potent traditional “aioli” ? And if your partner doesn’t appreciate your sense of humour, at least you’ll have scared off any vampires that happen to be hanging around. Who dares wins!
Free love
Yes, we can see the “I don’t celebrate Valentine’s Day because it’s a rip-off” people coming from a mile off. There are plenty of ways to declare your love for free. For example, if you want to shout your passion for our region from the rooftops, simply share your finest photos on Facebook and Instagram with the hashtag #visitsouthoffrance. It’s free and you’ll certainly win a place in our heart.
Did you know? The Southern Alps boasts zero pollution peaks and the clearest skies in Europe, dotted with zillions of stars in a dazzling ode to your undying love… And the good thing about stars is that you can watch them twinkle for free, just by looking up. Provence-Alpes-Côte d’Azur is pretty neat huh?
