The trail leads closer...

Another clue on the Luberon treasure hunt: where does this calade lead? My eagle-eyed blog friend, photographer Sacha has placed the setting: she knew immediately that the metal bird - so beautifuly made that you think for a moment that it might be real - was perched above the Rue Voltaire in the village of Bonnieux.

You can tell from her superbly detailed and quirky photographs of her surroundings in Provence that Sacha is exceptionally observant, which makes looking at her work such a treat. She has very kindly sent me this link to her vision of Bonnieux (here) and you can see more of the Luberon in general at her blog Un Jour...Une Photo. And, for those you you who enjoy the pictures on my blog, the first link contains a startling visual clue as to the treasure itself...

High on a hill overlooking the chequered Luberon valley floor, Bonnieux was settled as early as 972 AD. The old church surrounded by cedars at the top of the hill dates from the 12th century fell out of use after the "new" church was contructed further down in 1870. Local lore has Bonnieux as the pious Catholic stronghold across the side valley from licentious Lacoste, home of the notorious Marquis de Sade.

Nowadays the calades (cobbled stone alleys with central drainage channels) wind up to the summit past ornate stone houses from the 16th century, small fountains supplying drinking and washing water, to open out on spectacular mountain views.