Melons are one of the glories of Provence; their sweet and juicy fruit, the result of the 300 days of Provençal sunshine. Cavaillon has been nown for centuries for its melons. You will find melons from Cavaillon everywhere in the Luberon, but choosing one that is perfectly ripe is an art learned by experience. I find the best way is to smell the ‘navel’, it should have a strong melon smell, another sign is if there are cracks around the little stem, and the stem is ready to come off.