The Village of Mons in France

Mons is one of the highest villages in Provence at 814 metres above sea level.

The village is completely unspoilt and remains exactly as it has been for many centuries. This is undoubtedly because access is via narrow, spectacular mountain roads that wind around hairpin bends up to the village. The population is around 650 and, although tourists do visit, the people of Mons are genuine Mons people, imbued with local character. The local boules pitch is the focus of village life, with an evening gathering to play, chat and socialise as only the French can do. Relaxed, a time to play their game, chat and laugh. Probably, certainly the boules games with the most spectacular view in Provence.

There are three or four restaurants and bars, again typically Provencale, an epicerie and a boulangerie.

One of my youngest daughter’s great delights is the two minute cycle to the boulangerie early in the morning to return with a basket of warm croissant and bread for breakfast. Twice each week a boucherie van winds its way up to the village with its wares of fresh meat and fish. The epicerie sells a wide range of groceries and, of course, good French wine for a handful of Euros a bottle!

A few steps away from the Boulangerie and the Matchstick Man is Atelier de Creation Lonie, a small, friendly gallery space where you will find a variety of quality hand crafted productions by local artists including hand blown glass, ceramics, sculpture, hanging art works and jewellery.† Proprietor Valerie beautifully hand crafts the jewellery in the gallery, mostly from beads but also using other creative materials. Time permitting, custom work for visitors may also be possible.

Although there are one or two gift shops, the local attraction is ‘The Matchstick Man.’ For fifty years he has been making models from used matchsticks that take him thousands of hours. Many of these are maritime models, but one of his finest works is a model of Mons itself – complete with street-lights that he delights in showing visitors by turning his workshop lights off. The quirkiest of attractions in a beautiful village!

One of my youngest daughter’s fascinations when we are in Mons is to buy beads and materials from Valerie and hand craft her own jewellery in the evenings. The gallery is open all year round for browsing pleasure and Valerie is American - English spoken, but with a rich American/French accent! Valerie O’Neil can be reached by e-mail on creation-lonie@wanadoo.fr