A flamingo photographed from behind on the Giens peninsulaThe Giens peninsula, in the Var department
©The Giens peninsula, in the Var department|Sayegh.J

A Green Friday in Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur

5 nature activity ideas for escaping Black Friday
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And Black Friday is back, with the usual plethora of promotions filling up our mailboxes and alluring discounts on items we’ll likely use once or twice before relegating them to the back of the cupboard. So, how about celebrating Green Friday instead and treating ourselves to an eco-friendly nature activity in Provence-Alpes-Côte d’Azur?

1 – Picking wild or medicinal plants and mushrooms

It’s scientifically proven: experiences create more happiness than buying material goods. That’s the conclusion of a 2020 study published in the American Journal of Experimental Social Psychology. And of course, it’s even truer when the experiences are out in nature. Let’s start with a plant picking session. Edible or medicinal, the wild plants of our southern climes are our best allies when it comes to everyday aches and pains, while in the kitchen, they spice up our recipes with a delicious dash of extra taste that makes all the difference. Have fun spotting them on the woody plateaux of Haute-Provence in the expert hands of a mountain guide, then transform your crop into herbal teas, cordials or jams at the workshop. Alternatively, enjoy a delightful hike in the beautiful Estérel hills, where a guide will regale you with tips and tricks for making herbal balms. “Wild plant picking” activities are available in a variety of villages in the Monts de Vaucluse area, including Pernes-les-Fontaines, Venasque and Gordes… And if mushroom picking is more your jive, it’s just the season for it! Take part in a forest excursion in the Mont Ventoux Regional Nature Reserve, where you’ll learn everything there is to know about the various species.

2 – Wild bird watching

A wonderfully relaxing activity, birding is an undeniable source of inner peace and the ideal activity if you’re keen to escape the general hubbub for a day or half day. Migratory birds from Northern Europe abound at the Pont de Gau Ornithological Park in Camargue in autumn. You’ll definitely come across the iconic pink flamingo, as well as the northern shoveler, lapwing or common snipe. If you’re visiting the shores of the Var area, opt for a delightful guided tour of the Vieux Salins d’Hyères – these old salt marshes are now a protected natural area. Their ornithological heritage is remarkable: during your tour, you’ll be able to admire flamingos and herons, and watch shelducks taking to the air. The Southern Alps offers a myriad of birding hotspots too. For example, Saint-Léger-les-Mélèzes in Champsaur valley, at the gateway to Écrins National Park, where the breathtaking sight of golden eagles and griffon vultures soaring between steep slopes awaits… Pure authenticity!

3 – Take part in a truffle hunting demonstration

Succumb to the divine flavour of black truffles… And the pleasure of hunting them down in the fertile soil of Provence. Fresh truffle “cavage” (the term used to describe locating and extracting truffles) begins in mid-November and ends in mid-March, when the glorious fungi are ripe and exhale their unmistakeably refined perfume. The truffle farmer is accompanied by a truffle hound with a far keener sense of smell than humans. In the stunning Provence Verte area, at the gateway to the Verdon Regional Nature Reserve, a passionate producer offers fascinating insights into “cavage” techniques, along with plenty of fun anecdotes on the history of the truffle, aka the Black Diamond of Provence. And of course, no truffle hunting expedition would be complete without a tasting session you’ll remember for years to come! You can enjoy the experience in Richerenches in the Vaucluse area too, or at the foot of the hilltop village of Gordes, where truffle growing is a time-honoured tradition.

4 – Cycling in the vines

In November, the last golden vine leaves fall gently to the ground and for those who appreciate autumn, the sight of nature easing into a slumber holds even more magic than the rest of the year. What’s more, pedalling freely through the vines, hair to the wind, is a truly wonderful way to switch off from the constant demands of our everyday lives. In Provence and on the Côte d’Azur you’ll find a myriad of hotspots ideal for a casual bike ride through the vineyards. Opt for a foray into the Aix countryside on an electric bicycle complete with local wine tasting, or explore the world-famed winegrowing landscapes of Beaumes-de-Venise. After discovering the village, head out to explore the local terroirs against the stunning backdrop of the Dentelles de Montmirail rocks. And if you want to combine wine appreciation with seaside pleasures, set sail for Porquerolles island – a protected pearl of Port-Cros National park -, or the hills of Bellet near Nice, whose organic wines of the same name are coveted by connoisseurs.

5 – Enjoy a forest bath

Very much in vogue in recent years, this experience, promising a profound reconnection with life’s simple joys, originated in Japan. Lasting 2 or 3 hours and led by a guide, it consists of a slow and contemplative forest walk combined – according to the guide – with stretching and sensory stimulation exercises, or creative workshops. In Provence, you can experience a forest bath in four gorgeous locations: the grounds of Château de Meyrargues facing Mont Sainte-Victoire, two forest sites in the Var countryside and the easily-accessible wooded plateau of Mont Faron in Toulon. If you’re visiting the Southern Alps, enjoy a forest bath at the heart of the majestic and rejuvenating larch forest near the Oriol refuge, tucked away in the pastures of the Pays des Écrins adjacent to Briançon. The Côte d’Azur now has its own forest bath offering too: simply head to Gattières, along the sunny forest trails of the hinterland…