Porquerolles, France | A gentle breeze in a silent season

The Porquerolles Islands are a short 30-minute boat ride from the Cote d ‘Azur. If we say Cote d ‘Azur It’s in a bikini Brigitte Bardot ( Brigitte Bardot ) While Porcrolles was wearing a fisherman’s jumper and a maxi Spanish dress Jeanne Moreau ( Jeanne Moreau )。 The charm exuded here is deliberately understated, as if it were from Azure sea Shore Lessons have been learned from the consequences of the flowery display.

Left: Brigitte Bardot Right: Jeanne Moreau

This small island, shaped like a croissant, is so small that it can be visited by foot or bike, but it is also so large that it doesn’t hinder loneliness. If you don’t care about the buzzing of cicadas, this place can be regarded as quiet. In the center of the island is the Place des Armes, surrounded by greenery and eucalyptus trees, planted in the Napoleonic period to prevent cholera.

The square exudes a joyful, lively atmosphere, with pigeons flushing by the fountain, children riding bicycles in striped shirts and their limbs shiny bronzed. With the departure of day-trippers in the evening, the square returned to calm. The cafe in the daytime turns into a tavern in an instant, with young people drinking fruit wine and old people playing French ball on the land.

The residence arranged for this trip was built by Ms. Fournier and her late husband in 1930 s. It has a low ochre wall, and the courtyard is full of lavender scent, mixed with the fragrance of pine branches and sea salt blown by the breeze. architecture The sense of age in the interior is just right preserved, and the walls are hung with sweet Watercolors and family portraits , simple but elegant.

Walking along the sandy path outside the house, surrounded by high hedges, children played and screamed. Moms are lying on their sides reading novels, dads are conducting a synchronized swimming competition, and giggling girls are scoring the boys’ underwater handstands.

There is also a cute young child who still seems to be familiar with how to walk, but is trying to push a toy car high on the lawn. The picture can’t help but remind people of Sisyphus, but unlike the tragedy of Greek mythology, whenever the toy car slides down the grassy slope, the young children are not disappointed, but giggle and laugh and enjoy themselves.

If you are unwilling to spend your holiday by the pool, you can climb from the village to the castle built in the 16 th century, overlooking orange orchards, grape plantations and rolling hills; You can also choose to explore the fissures and creeks on the edge of the island and the ocean by bike or kayak. With patience, you can find your own beach and gaze at the blue of the Mediterranean Sea. Think poetically, at this time you have become the outcast of the world.

The daytime ferry took me to Cross Island, which has a smaller area and a rugged coast. Disembarking from the shallows, It’s a five-minute walk along the coastal path to the residence: a colonial-style mansion with Antique furniture, oriental vases, mottled shade in the garden and blooming oleander flowers are as if they have stepped into Manet’s canvas.

The simplicity of the bedroom reflects asceticism: No air conditioning, limited hot water. But happily, residents can Enjoy reading and philosophing on the small balcony of the bedroom. Almost all the residents are French people often rejoice and congratulate because there is no TV and Internet. The real luxury here is relaxation and tranquility. Is there anything more valuable than this?

Alternate day guides lead travelers to explore the islands, learn how to relieve jellyfish bites with hot stones, and search tirelessly Discoglossidae , a shy and rare amphibian. However, the most magnificent view is found beneath the waves: the seabed is covered with seagrass, the rainbow wrasse shimmers and dances lightly, while the awkward grouper looks silly, like a shy girl hiding in the corner of the stage.

Sparse lights in the distance flickered on Porquerolles Island, as if slowly waving to me, and Cross in The island is already dark I fell asleep.