Saturday 15 September 2012

A date in Cucuron

 
Another scene from A Good Year (see previous post on Ridley Scott's movie filmed in the Luberon)...is the great green bassin - L'Etang - at the heart of the quiet village of Cucuron. This is where Max takes Fanny on their first date, to an outdoor cinema in an almost impossibly romantic setting. Candlelight and lanterns flicker and the water shimmers beneath the leaves of two hundred year old plane trees that stand guard around the pond.
 
Actually, the romance of the place is real. The origins of the pond lie in a lake created in medieval times, fed by water sources from the Luberon mountain and used to power the local flour mills. The rectangular bassin we see now was constructed in the 19th century. Today it's a serene place but the deep green shadows cast by the trees give it an air of mystery. From any distance, all is surface reflection of the tall trees, restaurants and houses lining its banks, masking an infinity of depth.
 
 
Cucuron sits on the south-eastern side of the mountain ridge, over the col from the main Luberon valley where we are; this is the side of the Durance, the strong wide river that rises in the Alps and flows down to join the mighty Rhone south of Avignon. It's a village of farmers rather than tourists, though the two meet every Tuesday morning for a lively market with stalls placed all around the pond.
 
The fields around are full of vineyards and olive groves, melon fields and cherry orchards, vegetable and wheat fields, all set within the National Park. The long history of the village, from neolithic settlement through to Roman invasion and medieval ascendancy, is embedded in the ancient walls and quirky yet unassuming buildings. A gentle stroll through narrow winding streets takes you to dungeons and belfries and a lovely Romanesque chapel from the 13th century.
 
It strikes me that what Mediterranean countries do so much better than we do is allow the ancient and modern to co-exist. Even structures with an early industrial purpose have an element of beauty and are allowed to evolve, adapted and tranformed rather than destroyed. It shows a natural understanding and faith in the past.
 
And that too makes Cucuron a truly inspired place for a romantic first date.
 
 

 

10 comments:

Muriel said...

The village is indeed beautiful. The name of the village 'Cucuron', well, less so (in French...), and the name of its inhabitants actually is the subject of some jokes (don't get me there. You are taking me to memory lane here!). In some villages like Cucuron (I also like Correns a lot, it has a similar feel), time seems to have stopped. I can't wait to see the movie!

Oh said...

Don't remember how I found your blog, but love it. Love France, love the South of France, and books about it. Looking for THE LANTERN now...a bientot!

Evelyn said...

I made the pilgrimage to Cucuron just to see this beautiful 'pond.' I ate lunch beside it and the only thing missing was Russell. He was busy that day!!

Gill Edwards said...

i love that first photograph the way the trees make an arch effect and the reflection on the water, lovely

Cathy said...

Just gorgeous. A Good Year is one of my favourite films.

Half-heard in the Stillness said...

How fantastic that you were able to visit this beautiful place Deborah.

Jane

Clipping Image said...

what is love baby don't heart me know more know more,, we all together each you for ever

Ron B said...

By chance does anyone know of the black and white film clips shown in the background on Max and Fanny's first date? I'd like to use these scenes for an event.
Thanks,
Ron

Deborah Lawrenson said...

Hello Ron,

I am fairly sure those clips are from a Jacques Tati film, but I'm afraid I couldn't be specific about which one. Hope that helps!

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