Mistral is a strong, cold, northwesterly wind which accelerates when it passes through the Rhône and Durance river valleys on the way to the Mediterranean coast, for around 130 days a year. It can reach speeds of 90 km/h (~60 mph), forcefully shaping climate in the basin by bringing clearer, fresher weather (arctic air). It is feared in the summer, particularly in eastern Provence, because it dries up vegetation and spreads forest fires. (My grandmother has come close to losing her home on three separate occasions due to this.)

This wind has the reputation of bringing good health, as it dries up stagnant waters and blows away pollution from the skies overlaying cities and industrial sites. In the Rhône valley, trees grow in tandem with Mistral: leaning south. This wind has effects on agricultural practices (e.g. planting rows of cypresses to protect crops) and architectural ones: traditional farmhouses or mas are built facing south, with their back to the wind. Representations of Provence, particularly coalescing in the Christian tradition of santons (traditionally clay-baked figurines used to stage public and domestic nativity scenes), have also tended to sculpt characters contending with this wind (e.g. holding on to their hat or scarf).