When do Provence's famous lavender fields usually bloom?

In October and November after the rains

Which Avignon landmark is famous from a children's song about dancing on it?

The medieval city walls of Avignon

What are santons, a Christmas tradition in Provence?

Small clay figures for nativity scenes

Candles made from local beeswax for Christmas Eve

Provence Quiz: Lavender, Popes and Painters of France

This Provence quiz explores the sunny south of France, with questions on when the lavender fields bloom, the Popes' Palace in Avignon, the famous bridge song, Van Gogh's Starry Night painted in Saint-Rémy, Cézanne's Mont Sainte-Victoire, Mont Ventoux and the Tour de France, Marseille's bouillabaisse, the birth of pétanque, the Camargue and santons. Ten questions.

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🎯 Daily Trivia Challenge • 🧠 10 Questions • ⏱️ 90 Seconds

Question 1 / 10 Time: 90s

Lavender
When do Provence's famous lavender fields usually bloom?
Popes
In the 14th century, Avignon became the home of whom?
Songs
Which Avignon landmark is famous from a children's song about dancing on it?
Painters
Vincent van Gogh painted The Starry Night while staying in which Provence town?
Painters
Which painter from Aix-en-Provence painted Mont Sainte-Victoire again and again?
Mountains
Which bare-topped mountain, nicknamed the Giant of Provence, is a famous Tour de France climb?
Food
Which fish stew is the famous specialty of Marseille?
Games
Pétanque, the popular boules game, was invented in 1907 in which Provence town?
Wetlands
The Camargue, in the Rhône delta, is famous for white horses and which pink birds?
Traditions
What are santons, a Christmas tradition in Provence?

Explanations: answer key for all 10 questions

Q1: When do Provence's famous lavender fields usually bloom?
Answer: From late June to early August
The Valensole Plateau and the area around Sénanque Abbey are among the most photographed fields. Harvest begins in July.
Q2: In the 14th century, Avignon became the home of whom?
Answer: The popes
Seven popes lived there from 1309 to 1377. Their huge Gothic Palais des Papes is one of the largest Gothic palaces in Europe.
Q3: Which Avignon landmark is famous from a children's song about dancing on it?
Answer: The Pont Saint-Bénézet
The song is Sur le pont d'Avignon. Only four of the bridge's original 22 arches still stand.
Q4: Vincent van Gogh painted The Starry Night while staying in which Provence town?
Answer: Saint-Rémy-de-Provence
He painted it in 1889 from the asylum of Saint-Paul-de-Mausole. Earlier, he had lived and worked in Arles.
Q5: Which painter from Aix-en-Provence painted Mont Sainte-Victoire again and again?
Answer: Paul Cézanne
Cézanne painted the mountain dozens of times. His studio in Aix is open to visitors.
Q6: Which bare-topped mountain, nicknamed the Giant of Provence, is a famous Tour de France climb?
Answer: Mont Ventoux
Its summit is covered with white limestone, making it look snowy all year. Strong winds often blow across the top.
Q7: Which fish stew is the famous specialty of Marseille?
Answer: Bouillabaisse
It was first made by fishermen using fish they could not sell. It is traditionally served with rouille sauce and bread.
Q8: Pétanque, the popular boules game, was invented in 1907 in which Provence town?
Answer: La Ciotat
A player who could no longer run was allowed to throw from a standing position. The name comes from words meaning feet anchored.
Q9: The Camargue, in the Rhône delta, is famous for white horses and which pink birds?
Answer: Flamingos
Thousands of flamingos feed in its salty lagoons. Camargue cowboys, called gardians, herd black bulls on horseback.
Q10: What are santons, a Christmas tradition in Provence?
Answer: Small clay figures for nativity scenes
They show villagers such as bakers, shepherds and fishermen, as well as the Holy Family. Santon fairs are held every December.

Provence Quiz – The Sunny South of France

Provence is a region in southeastern France, stretching from the Rhône River to the Alps and the Mediterranean. It is famous for lavender fields, olive groves, vineyards, hilltop villages and bright light that has inspired generations of painters. Its major cities include Marseille, Avignon, Aix-en-Provence and Arles.

Provence takes its name from the Roman Provincia, and Roman monuments still stand in Arles and Orange. In the 14th century, the popes moved to Avignon, building the Palais des Papes. The Pont Saint-Bénézet, made famous by a children's song, crosses the Rhône there.

Artists have long been drawn to Provence. Van Gogh painted sunflowers and wheat fields in Arles and The Starry Night in Saint-Rémy. Paul Cézanne painted Mont Sainte-Victoire again and again near Aix. Writers such as Marcel Pagnol and Peter Mayle described its villages and characters.

Provence's landscapes are varied. Lavender blooms on the Valensole Plateau in summer, Mont Ventoux challenges cyclists, the Calanques have turquoise coves near Marseille and the Camargue is home to flamingos and white horses. Villages such as Gordes and Roussillon perch on hills.

Provençal life includes markets, pétanque, rosé wine, bouillabaisse and herbes de Provence. At Christmas, families set up santons.

The mistral, a strong, cold wind, often blows down the Rhône valley, clearing the sky and giving Provence its famously bright light. Summer brings festivals such as the Avignon theater festival and open-air concerts.

Provence's markets are a highlight of daily life. Towns such as L'Isle-sur-la-Sorgue, Aix-en-Provence and Apt hold markets selling olives, cheeses, honey, soaps and fabrics in bright Provençal patterns, and summer evenings often end with a glass of chilled rosé on a village square.

This quiz covers the history, art, landscapes and traditions of Provence.

What This Quiz Teaches

This quiz is perfect for travelers, art lovers and food fans.

When the lavender blooms
The Popes of Avignon and the famous bridge
Van Gogh and Cézanne in Provence
Mont Ventoux and the Tour de France
Bouillabaisse and pétanque
The Camargue and santons

Quick Facts About Provence

The Calanques became a national park in 2012.
Roussillon's houses are colored by local ochre.
The Avignon Festival is one of the world's largest theater festivals.
Arles has a Roman amphitheater still used for events.
Herbes de Provence often include thyme, rosemary and oregano.
Marseille is France's oldest city, founded by Greeks around 600 BC.