By Paula Kane I am a big fan of ritual. Simple or complex, I believe they are good for keeping us grounded in something bigger than ourselves. I have mini rituals I do every day, but when I get to France, I crash right into a whole different set of …

The following is an excerpt from my second book Are We French Yet? Keith & Val’s Adventures in Provence. My wife Val and I live part of the year in Provence. Our friends Xavier and Marie-France are kind of our cultural guides, making sure we have local experiences that foreigners …

Keith Van Sickle just published his second book, “Are We French Yet? Keith & Val’s Adventures in Provence.” In a word the book is delightful. Please scroll to the bottom for giveaway details. Author Keith Van Sickle Few couples in Silicon Valley (or anywhere) would take a leap of faith …

Deborah Bine spent her childhood in Charlotte, North Carolina dreaming of “faraway places” (her words). Her early travels included visiting her Aunt Rose in exhilarating Manhattan. “Aunt Rose owned New York — or so this sixteen-year-old ingénue from the Carolinas assumed.” On this voyage, Deborah learned some travel lessons that …

Ashley Tinker is the photographer behind the beautiful (and popular) Curious Provence Instagram feed, she is also the creator and writer of the blog by the same name. Originally from Montreal, Canada, Ashley headed to Florence, Italy for fine art school. You can probably guess that for someone who is …

Mention Provence as a destination to your friends, and most people have either been and want to return or are dreaming of their first visit. Gayle Padgett and her husband “flirted” with Provence for two decades, often travelling during their vacation time from US government jobs in Germany. As their …

After visiting new friends Jane and Gary Langton at Mas d’Augustine, the chambres d’hôtes they own and run in the south of France, I asked if they would share their “inside” stories with me and Barefoot Blogger followers. Happily, they agreed! …Continue reading here for more about the Langton’s the owners …

Contributor blog post by Vaucluse Dreamer: So often we find ourselves chuckling about the odd things involving animals that we’ve seen over the years whilst in Provence including a horse in a flat cap. A piglet being walked on a lead in Lourmarin. Or the cat at Roussillon who delights in …

I’ve been putting off picking up my free pass to Pont du Gard for years now. Anyone who can prove they live in the Gard can get one. My friend and neighbor, Rich, said I’d murmured about it long enough. He was going to accompany me to the Mairie and …

Contributor blog post by Vaucluse Dreamer: Where has the summer gone? Since the 25th April (apart from 22 days back in the UK) I have been lucky enough to spend the rest of the time out in the Vaucluse, sorting out our new house & getting under the skin of …