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.

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 …

Guest Post · Provencal Recipes · Seasonal Menus · Taste

Fall Entertaining Made Beautiful: A Provence-Inspired Menu for Friends

September 19, 2025

As autumn arrives in Provence, the temperatures change, as does the produce in the market. Traci Parent agreed to curate our Fall Menu for 2025. Her delicious choices bring together a delicious 3-course meal to share with friends and family. Below, you will find Traci’s vivid descriptions of the season in Provence, along with her …

Beef · Carolyne Kauser-Abbott · Main Course · Pork · Provencal Recipes · Taste

Traditional Niçoise Cabbage Rolls – Les Petits Choux Farcis

September 15, 2025

Nice’s climate, geographic location, and terroir are suitable for growing vegetables such as tomatoes, chard, cabbage, artichokes, lentils, beans and much more. This French Riviera city is graced with over 300 days of sunshine in a typical year. The ancient populations of Greeks and Romans living in the region roughly 3000 years ago constructed stone …

Seaside Villefranche 1-Bedroom Apartment

Sur le Toit is a charming, remodelled 1-bedroom vacation rental in Old Town Villefranche-sur-Mer with gorgeous views.

Côte d’Azur (French Riviera)
One Bedroom

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3 Rental Apartments Near Aix-en-Provence

La Bastide des Amandiers has 3 self-contained apartments. The layout provides plenty of privacy and different spaces. A perfect place to spend time in the Luberon.

Luberon
Vaucluse
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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Villefranche-sur-Mer Gem 1-bedroom holiday rental

Le Petit Bijou is a 1-bedroom apartment on Villefranche's waterfront. The apartment is fully outfitted, ideal for a Riviera holiday.

Côte d’Azur (French Riviera)
One Bedroom

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1-Bedroom Holiday Cottage

Located in the peaceful south Luberon, this well-appointed gîte offers a real escape to the peaceful Provencal countryside with all the necessary modern comforts.

Luberon
Vaucluse
One Bedroom

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Provence Marketplace

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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Perfume Diffuser Rose’s Sun Water

This stylish glass bottle contains a fragrance created in Grasse exclusively for Rose et Marius. The 7 sticks perfume your home with a floral bouquet of jasmine, rose, orange blossom and vanilla. "Just like a summer day in Provence."

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Hand-Crafted Decorative Ceramic Sunflowers

Available in six (6) different colours these durable ceramic sunflowers are suitable for indoor or outdoor settings. Made by hand in Uzès by Maison Pichon these sunflowers are sold individually. Maison Pichon is an artisanal French ceramics manufacturer since 1802.

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Travel Journal – Côte d’Azur

A beautiful journal for your adventures on the Côte d’Azur. This travel journal from My French Country Home features watercolour prints on the cover and throughout its 128 pages. Size: 14.5 x 20.5 cm, made with recycled paper.

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Beeswax Candles in a Traditional Pillar Shape

Handcrafted in Apis Cera's workshop in Provence, Ambroise is a 100% pure beeswax candle pillar produced in a custom mold. A cylindar-shaped candle gets it's name from Saint Ambrose (c. 340 – 397), the archbishop of Milan, who was the protector of beekeepers. Sold in a set of two (2) candles they burn for approximately 36 hours.

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Stylish Cooler Bag from Provence

Le Rob'Fresh is a lightweight cooler bag for bottles, lunch or even a picnic. The cooler bag weighs 300g (10 oz) and can hold 2.8 kg (6 lbs). Available in a collection of designs. The fabric is OEKO-TEX® certified, and the bags have an environmentally-friendly kraft gel pack. Le Rob'Fresh medium version is L 37 cm (14.5 in) x H 25cm (10 in) x W 10 cm (4 in). The bags are machine-washable (in cold). Price is 35€ + shipping.

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Great Tote Bag in Cotton String

Bring on warm weather with these Cotton String Bags in three colours (white, tan, and black). Take this tote from My French Country Home box to the market, beach or an evening out. Buy one in each colour, as they are the perfect accessory for Spring and Summer seasons.

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Liquid Shower Soap from Provence

Imagine a typical Provencal relaxed lunch with chilled rosé under the arbour. These Rose et Marius liquid shower soaps are paraben-free. Made with olive oil from Provence and exclusive fragrances created in Grasse. Find these refillable soaps in beautiful 5* hotels, top-quality restaurants, or your home.

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Small Cotton Pouch

Perfect for makeup, organizing your purse or storing precious items. This sleek 100% cotton pouch from L'AUGUSTE Provence is convenient for carrying your essentials. Fits easily into one of our matching cotton tote bags or can be used on its own.

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Download Our Fall Menu Collection

Gayle Padgett

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

Fall Entertaining Made Beautiful: A Provence-Inspired Menu for Friends

Traditional Niçoise Cabbage Rolls – Les Petits Choux Farcis

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