Winds of Provence

Mistral wind blowing near Marseille. In the center is the Chateau d'If.
Compass rose of Provençal winds. South (Midi) is at the top.

The Winds of Provence, the region of southeast France along the Mediterranean from the Alps to the mouth of the Rhone River, are an important feature of Provençal life, and each one has a traditional local name, in the Provençal language.

The most famous Provençal winds are:

The Marin, a strong, wet and cloudy south wind, which blows in from the Gulf of Lion.

The Sirocco, a southeast wind coming from the Sahara desert in Africa, can reach hurricane force, and brings either reddish dust or heavy rains.

The Provençal names for the winds are very similar to the names in the Catalan language:

Winds in Provençal culture

A traditional Provençal Santon, or Christmas creche figure, facing the Mistral.


Names of the Winds of Provence (by points of the compass)

Traditional compass roses in Provence (see illustration, which shows Midi, or the South, at the top) have the names of the winds by the points of the compass.

References

  1. Livet, Roger, Habitat rural et structures agraires en Basse-Provence.
  2. Massot, Jean-Luc, Maisons rurales et vie paysanne en Provence.

Bibliography

Jean Vialar, Les vents régionaux et locaux, 1948, réédité par Météo-France en 2003

External links