Deborah Bine

The Barefoot Blogger, aka Deborah Bine, loves to share tales of her solo life in France as an American expat who speaks no French. Retired from a career in advertising and marketing communications, and divorced after a 40-year marriage with children, Deborah left Beaufort, South Carolina and all of her belongings last year to move to the south of France. Now that she has found her "bliss," her passion is to encourage others to break away from whatever is holding them back and to go after their dreams. "We're on life's journey alone. Be certain you love where you are."

Visit Barefoot Blogger here

Creating Holiday Magic a Provencal Christmas Creche with Adorable Santons

December 11, 2024

St Francis and the Provencal Creche The traditional French nativity scene that represents the story of the birth of Jesus is essentially a Provençal tradition, but it has a long history that began in Italy. In 1223, in Greccio, St. Francis of Assisi is said to have created the first reenactment of the birth of …

Christmas & Holiday · Dessert · Provencal Recipes · Tasha Powell · Taste

Impress Your Guests with a Stunning Seasonal Edible Pavlova Wreath

December 9, 2024

Since December is a festive and somewhat decadent time, I made a wreath with a series of mini meringues. Once the meringues were made and decorated, I combined them into a larger wreath shape. The result was a delicious edible pavlova wreath with “pull-away” meringues. While this recipe has a few steps and ingredients, it …

Explore · Learning French · Stay Fit · Virginie Van Der Wees

Hiking Mont Sainte-Victoire in Provence and Learning French

December 6, 2024

David joined Virginie and her family for a French immersion homestay in July. He wanted to incorporate some sporty challenges while learning French so Virginie suggested hiking to the summit of Mont Sainte Victoire. David wrote the following bilingual text as an exercise to test his written French. Find out more about French immersion holidays …

Christine van der Linden · Hans Zeegers · Inspire · Shopping & Gifts

Discover the Fragrant Charm of Grasse: A Day in the Perfume Capital of the World

December 5, 2024

When you find yourself on the stunning Côte d’Azur, set aside a day to explore the enchanting town of Grasse, renowned as the perfume capital since the 18th century. Nestled between the mountains and the Mediterranean Sea, this picturesque region boasts the perfect climate for cultivating fragrant flowers essential for perfume production. Grasse the Perfume …

Books on Provence · Carolyne Kauser-Abbott · Inspire

2024 Holiday Gift Guide Books from Provence our Recommendations

December 4, 2024

Are you shopping for book lovers? Here is our 2024 holiday gift guide for books from Provence for those on your list who love reading, travelling, and dreaming of France. These books are for anyone who wants a literary “dose” of Provence. 2024 Holiday Gift Guide Books Whether you have visited the region or always …

Carolyne Kauser-Abbott · Inspire · What's On Provence & Cote d'Azur · Winter in Provence

2025 Winter in Provence Events and Festivals Calendar

December 3, 2024

Winter Festivals and Events in Provence So many images of the Provence and the Côte d’Azur are summer scenes with ribbons of blooming lavender fields, glasses of rosé with beads of condensation, and beautiful people in straw hats enjoying their holidays. Perhaps wintertime in Provence garners less attention, but it’s a great time to enjoy …

Carolyne Kauser-Abbott · Inspire · Provencal History & Traditions

Christmas Traditions in Provence a Festive Guide to the Holidays

December 2, 2024

In Provence, Christmas is a festive season lasting over two months with many holiday traditions. While there are commercial aspects to the holidays in Provence and the rest of France, many old customs continue today. At this time of year, there is vin chaud, little saints (santons), thirteen desserts, holiday markets and tiny pots of …

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Apt: One Bedroom Rental Apartments

The apartments have lounge and dining areas with fully equipped modern kitchens. The bedrooms are bright and airy with modern bathrooms.

Luberon
Vaucluse
One Bedroom

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French Riviera 2-Bedroom Holiday Apartment

Chez Nous is a 2-bedroom, 2-bathroom penthouse apartment on a quiet pedestrian street known as Villefranche-sur-Mer's garden street.

Côte d’Azur (French Riviera)
Two Bedrooms

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Studio Apartment Minutes from Aix-en-Provence

Surrounded by vineyards, the air-conditioned studio apartment has a bedroom, bathroom, a small kitchenette, and a sitting area.

Bouches du Rhone
One Bedroom

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1-Bedroom Apartment in Villefranche-sur-Mer

Le Beau Balcon is a sunny apartment on Rue Volti in the heart of the old town, the building is a short walk to shops and restaurants.

Côte d’Azur (French Riviera)
One Bedroom

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Les Vallons Holiday Home - Sleeps 12

If you are looking for a perfect holiday rental property, with a heated pool, Les Vallons sleeps 12 people in a fully restored hamlet.

Luberon
Vaucluse
Six Bedrooms

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Provence Marketplace

Mortar and Pestle Made with Olive Wood

This Mortar and Pestle is produced by Bérard France. Made with olive wood from Provence, it is ideal for grinding herbs, seeds, and spices. Buy one for yourself or as a gift.

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Rose et Marius Candles

The Rose et Marius founder combines the natural scents of Provence and her childhood memories into fragrances that take you on an olfactory journey. Those fragrances form the base notes for exclusive perfumes which infuse the scented candles. Buy these refillable candles as gifts or for your home.

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Scented Mini Candle Box Sets

Rose et Marius offers box sets with three (3) mini candles. These candle collections include signature fragrances such as "siesta in a sunlit home" and "early morning in the orange grove." These mini candles burn for approximately 25 hours in pretty glass containers.

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Heart-Shaped Plates in Olive Wood

Add some flair to your next dinner party with these heart-shaped plates made with French olive wood. Sold individually, these plates are easy to maintain; wash them in soap and water and dry them immediately. Not suitable for dishwashers. They are sold by My French Country Home Box.

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Hand-painted Kitchen Canisters

Add a touch of French lavender to your kitchen with these hand-painted glass jars. These air-tight canisters are designed with a Provencal lavender motif and are perfect for dry goods or even as a flower vase. The jar capacity is 0.4 gallons (1.5 litres) and made with transparent, sturdy glass and a wooden lid.

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Small White Cotton Handbag for Summer

Make your summer style effortless with this Small White Handbag by Tampico Bags from France. Made with durable cotton with elegant leather trimmings, this compact tote is ideal for carrying your essentials while maintaining a sophisticated, minimalist look. Sourced by My French Country Home it comes with a dust bag for added convenience and care.

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Makeup Bags and Travel Kits in Provencal Designs

Available in several different patterns and 3 sizes these makeup bags are constructed with quilted fabrics and made to last. Made in Provence by an artisanal textile manufacturer. Choose a pattern that you like and buy the matching set.

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Quilted Tote Bags in Provencal Fabrics

These large tote bags come in a range of Provencal fabrics. Whether you choose lavender, wild flowers or one of the other two patterns these sturdy bags are light yet strong enough to carry all the necessary accessories and even a laptop. The bags are made with printed and quilted fabric and have solid handles.

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Natural Rosé-scented Soap from Provence

Rose et Marius soaps are made with 97% natural ingredients (palm oil free). Formulated with poppy and olive oil from Provence and infused with a concentration of an exclusive fragrance that smells like rosé in the summer.

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Download Our Summer Menu Collection

Deborah Bine

Creating Holiday Magic a Provencal Christmas Creche with Adorable Santons

Impress Your Guests with a Stunning Seasonal Edible Pavlova Wreath

Hiking Mont Sainte-Victoire in Provence and Learning French

Discover the Fragrant Charm of Grasse: A Day in the Perfume Capital of the World

2024 Holiday Gift Guide Books from Provence our Recommendations

2025 Winter in Provence Events and Festivals Calendar

Christmas Traditions in Provence a Festive Guide to the Holidays

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