How To Avoid Being Chased With Sticks By Provençal Villagers

You might think that life in Provence is very laid back - days spent idling by the pool, admiring the view over the valley, sipping local rosé wine...

You'd be wrong.

Check out these pictures I took in Cabrières d'Avignon:

I swear, every single house in the village has painted their shutters in the same dusty blue. Can you imagine what the paint section in Mr Bricolage looks like? Row upon row of identical paint cans, stretching to infinity...

What do you think would happen if someone dared to buck the trend and paint their shutters something really controversial like, ooh, dusty green? Would the villagers chase them out with sticks and torches?

Personally I just don't think it's worth the risk. Just follow the rules and paint your shutters blue, people. Life in Provence is very strict, dontcha know.