Moving Water

While Provence is certainly an international tourist destination, it is still very much an agricultural region. Olives, wine grapes and vegetables are grown and harvested here year-round. As you might imagine, getting enough water to the trees, vines and crops in this arid and often hot region is quite important.

The giant irrigation contraptions that regulate and provide water with computer-driven precision that we see so often in the states are a rare sight here. Water distribution via intersecting canals is the norm in Provence. They start up in the mountains and meander their way to the fields. In fact, many of the irrigation canals the Romans put in are still in use – some even unchanged.

The other day, Jean and I were bicycling in the countryside outside Eygalieres when we came upon a farmer in his field. He was opening an irrigation ditch with a shovel to provide water to his crops. We agreed that his family had probably used this same technique for generations.

There is another aspect of all these open ditches carrying fast running water. An aroma of freshness fills the air and is accompanied by a noticeable temperature drop to those who are near them. It reminds me of the way the air feels and smells in the South Carolina Lowcountry in the final few minutes just before a summer thunderstorm.


Man-made waterfalls outside
St. Remy to accomodate the slope
from the mountains.


Roman-era canal still in use.