July 2025 – Thalysia

Hidden Provence: 5 Secret Corners You Must Discover

If Provence conjures images of endless lavender fields, bustling markets, and sun-soaked squares dotted with pastel shutters, you’re not alone. But while the region’s postcard-famous towns—Avignon, Aix-en-Provence, Gordes—draw admirers year-round, the true soul of Provence lies down winding lanes and in hamlets only the locals whisper about. Here, time slows, life feels gentler, and the stories are stitched into the very stones beneath your feet. For the traveler searching for the undiscovered, here are five secret places in Provence that promise wonder and quiet joy.

My Summer in Provence (2013): Sunlit Stories and Scenery

Few films capture the heart and soul of rural France as beautifully as My Summer in Provence (French title: Avis de mistral), a 2013 family drama directed by Rose Bosch. Set against the enchanting backdrop of the South of France, this film isn’t merely a coming-of-age story; it’s a love letter to Provence—its landscapes, traditions, and the healing power of family bonds.

Aix-en-Provence celebrates the Cézanne year

Located about 35 kilometers north of Marseille, Aix-en-Provence is a city where history and beauty intertwine. With a population just shy of 150,000, the very name “Aix-en-Provence” evokes images of pastoral charm and timeless appeal—a reputation the region has held as a coveted destination for over two millennia.

Discovering the Musée Calvet: Avignon’s Timeless Treasure

Nestled in the historic heart of Avignon, the Musée Calvet stands as a beacon of culture and artistic heritage. It’s an essential destination for anyone eager to experience the rich tapestry of art, history, and craftsmanship that has shaped Provence, France, and the wider world. This museum, understated in its elegance yet powerfully compelling through its collections, offers much more than a simple gallery visit—it provides a journey through centuries of artistic achievement.

Kedi: More Than a Film About Cats—A Deep Dive into Istanbul’s Soul

Kedi, the acclaimed 2016 Turkish documentary by Ceyda Torun, is far more than a film about cats. It is a heartfelt meditation on the complex bond between humans and animals, set against the colorful and historic landscape of Istanbul. With evocative cinematography and intimate narrative, the documentary offers viewers an immersive glimpse into the lives of Istanbul’s street cats—creatures who roam freely through the city’s lively streets, markets, and homes, weaving themselves into the very fabric of urban life.

Istanbul’s Street Cats: Guardians of Tradition, Culture, and the City’s Enchanting Spirit

Istanbul is uniquely situated at the crossroads of two continents—Europe and Asia—and serves as a vital link between the Mediterranean and the Black Sea. The city straddles the Bosporus, a narrow strait that connects the Black Sea to the Sea of Marmara, which in turn opens into the Mediterranean to the south. This strategic location has made Istanbul a cultural and geographic bridge between East and West for centuries. Its enchanting streets reflect a captivating blend of ancient traditions and contemporary life, offering a lifestyle where the past and present harmoniously coexist.

The Fine Art of Being Naked Around the Mediterranean

Imagine a morning when there’s no space between your skin and the sparkling, cool Mediterranean—when you glide from salt water to sun-warmed sand without a barrier between you and nature. You lie down, just as nature intended, and let the sun soak into your bare skin, experiencing a freedom so pure it feels almost illicit.

Lavender Dreams—When Provence Breathes Purple

Somewhere between Avignon and Grasse, where the sun hums low over the hills, summer stirs a secret into bloom. It begins not with fanfare, but with fragrance—a sweetness in the air as if time itself has perfumed the morning. Come June, Provence paints in its rarest hue: lavender, soft as a whispered promise, bold as a forgotten memory coming home.

The fields unfold like purple oceans, each bloom a tiny brushstroke in a masterwork of solitude and scent. They ripple in waves beneath the mistral’s breath, moving as one body, sighing as one heart. It is not merely color, it is reverie. A dream that has taken root, risen, and stretched towards the sun in defiance of ordinary days.