Gayle Padgett

Gayle Smith Padgett, a UCLA graduate, has two master’s degress, neither in French. After studying in Mexico and South America, she worked as a language specialist in California and Virginia and later as a management analyst and US government liaison in Heidelberg, Germany. In 2011, she and her husband moved to Provence where they continue to crack French culture codes.

Discover more about Gayle's backstory and writing on her website - gaylesmithpadgett.com and read her books Passion for Provence: 22 Keys to La Belle Vie and The Birdwatcher's Wife: A Quest across France for Birds and La Belle Vie.

Where to Stay in the Luberon? 10 Villages in Provence Worth Visiting

October 13, 2025

If you love picturesque villages, stunning scenery, and authentic French charm, visiting the Luberon Valley should be at the top of your travel list. This region of Provence is famous for its hilltop towns. They were initially built for defence, but today they are perfect for exploring and taking postcard-worthy photos. Each village is unique. …

David Scott Allen · Fish & Seafood · Main Course · Provencal Recipes · Taste · Wines and Spirits of Provence

Black Cod in a Saffron Sauce Paired with a White Wine from Provence

October 10, 2025

Some cooks shy away from cooking fish because they think it’s complicated. But this dish with Black Cod is elegant, and not at all difficult to prepare. Searing the fish is super easy. And, once you have made a beurre blanc, you know there is nothing to it. Okay, maybe a little timing… but if …

Explore · Our House in Provence · Villages Towns and Cities

Discover Carpentras in the Vaucluse it is Well Worth Visiting

October 6, 2025

Many times over the years, we have headed to Carpentras on Fridays for the year-round morning market. Carpentras is a medium-sized city in the Vaucluse, a short 25-minute ride down the D-7 from our holiday home in Sablet (it’s available for rent too). As we get near, we see Notre Dame de l’Observance (photo) towering …

David Scott Allen · Main Course · Provencal Recipes · Taste · Veal

Osso Buco A Delicious Recipe Variation With Provencal Flavours

October 3, 2025

While Osso Buco is traditionally an Italian dish, I experimented with the ingredients to suit a wine pairing with a 2016 Château de la Tour de l’Évêque vintage. My culinary experimentation resulted in a delicious main course that uses all the traditional flavours of a Provençal daube, my favourite being the subtle orange zest. The …

Explore · Our House in Provence · Villages Towns and Cities

Why visit Nîmes? It Was Once the Rome of Southern France

September 29, 2025

When we have guests at our home in Sablet, we always take them to visit the Pont du Gard. This aqueduct has been standing for 2000 years, and it is spectacular to behold in a beautiful location. We usually combine our visits to the Pont du Gard with a visit to Uzès or the Roman …

Carolyne Kauser-Abbott · Dessert · Fruit Desserts · Provencal Recipes · Taste

Easy Baked Dessert with Apple, Fig, and Goat Cheese

September 26, 2025

This dessert recipe comes from the Moulin du Calanquet outside St Remy de Provence in the Alpilles. It combines tart green apples, goat cheese, and sweet figs for a delicious (and easy) dessert. The Calanquet oil mill was inaugurated on February 8, 2001, and named after the lovely site on which it was built. Moulin …

Carolyne Kauser-Abbott · Restaurant Recommendations · Taste

Why Locals Love Eygalières: Restaurant Dining Options and Food Providers

September 22, 2025

The village of Eygalières remains one of the jewels in the Alpilles. There are many reasons to visit and fall in love with Eygalières, starting with its authentic Provençal charm. Unlike other Alpilles villages, Eygalières has only a few retail opportunities for clothing, books, and gift items. However, there is a baker, a butcher, a primeur …

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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Sablet Village House Holiday Rental

A beautiful stone house in the middle of Sablet, within walking distance of boulangerie and more. This wine village is known for its Côte du Rhone wines.

Vaucluse
Three Bedrooms

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Rental Home in Crillon-le-Brave for 6 People

Designed for indoor-outdoor living, Villa Armajeva has three spacious bedrooms and all the modern comforts for a family vacation. Enjoy the views from any one of the terraces. The Crillon-le-Brave village centre is steps from this lovely home.

Vaucluse
Three Bedrooms

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5-Bedroom Country House Near Apt

Chez Manon is a private countryside location that is large enough for family gatherings and a relaxing place to unwind and explore Provence.

Luberon
Vaucluse
Five Bedrooms

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Luberon B&B Absoluut Valvert

Exclusive and charming, this 5 room B&B is surrounded by nature yet is only a stone's throw from historical Bonnieux.

Luberon
Vaucluse
Bed and Breakfast

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Provence Marketplace

Cotton Tablecloth Poppy Design

With an attractive poppy and lavender pattern, this round 71 inches tablecloth is 100% cotton, and a has light acrylic coating. Selected for its pretty design and easy maintenance. Available in white, blue and yellow backgrounds.

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Bread Baskets from Provence

Remember Provence has a curated collection of printed cotton bread baskets in a selection of beautiful patterns from Valdrôme®. Available in two sizes, these round baskets add a touch of colour to your table. Made in a Provencal workshop using OEKO-TEX® fabric, these baskets are also practical for storing things in your kitchen or elsewhere.

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Large White Cotton Market Bag

Produced by Tampico these bags are made in southern France. My French Country Home chose this bag made from pure cotton with round handles stitched in genuine leather. It is a tote is perfectly suited for your shopping or alternatively as a weekend getaway bag. Dimensions: 63 x 29 x 30 cm (24.8×11.4×11.8″)

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Garden Kit a Gift for the Gardener

My French Country Home has created a limited edition collection for those who love gardening. The kit includes a gardening bag, 2 notebooks, hand cream, a candle and an antique flower frog. All the items are sourced in France.

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Photo: Lavender Fields in Provence

Whether or not you have seen the lavender fields in Valensole, this panorama will transport you to a magical place in Provence. Photo by François de Melogue, a talented chef and photographer. Available in a choice of sizes and different paper stock.

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Provencal Market Basket

My French Country Home sourced this classic French market basket. This basket is great for shopping, picnics or days at the beach. Made from palm fibre with leather straps, you can even use it as a handbag!

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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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Jacquard Cotton Tea Towels

Made with 100% jacquard cotton these tea towels from Remember Provence are ideal for the kitchen and as gifts. Made in Provence they are very absorbent with a sufficiently thick fabric but are quick-drying. This version has a playful sardine pattern.

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Herbes de Provence in Pretty Canisters

These dried herbs are from Esprit de Provence. Grown in France, the selection includes Herbes de Provence, Rosemary, Thyme, Oregano, Garlic, Salt with Piment d'Espelette, and Salad Herbs. Buy the collection and make some Provençal recipes.

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Download Our Fall Menu Collection

Gayle Padgett

Where to Stay in the Luberon? 10 Villages in Provence Worth Visiting

Black Cod in a Saffron Sauce Paired with a White Wine from Provence

Discover Carpentras in the Vaucluse it is Well Worth Visiting

Osso Buco A Delicious Recipe Variation With Provencal Flavours

Why visit Nîmes? It Was Once the Rome of Southern France

Easy Baked Dessert with Apple, Fig, and Goat Cheese

Why Locals Love Eygalières: Restaurant Dining Options and Food Providers

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