Mary Kay Seales

Mary Kay Seales was born and raised in the Pacific Northwest in Washington State, where she also teaches writing to international students at the University of Washington. As a lifelong traveler, photographer and writing teacher, her recent move into travel writing was a natural progression.

She has lived and worked in the Democratic Republic of Congo, Haiti, Costa Rica, India, Azerbaijan and France, and her travels include Bora Bora, Thailand, Sri Lanka, and Peru among other destinations.

She is the author of two guide books - The Beginner’s Guide to the French Riviera: Stop Dreaming & Start Packing, and The Beginner’s Guide to the Olympic Peninsula: Exploring the Wild Beauty of the Pacific Northwest - as well as a frequent contributor to other publications in France.

Her most recent blog is The Conscious Traveler.

Interested in Buying a Home in France? Here is An Explainer Guide for Foreigners

April 10, 2026

Are you wondering how to buy a home in France as a foreigner? Buying your own home in France, specifically in Provence, might be a long-awaited dream finally coming to life. You can already see yourself living that Provencal dream. However, real estate transactions in France are complex and include multiple steps. This article explains …

Carolyne Kauser-Abbott · Explore · Guided Holiday Tours

Private Provence Tours? Book idreamprovence Custom Travel Experiences

April 8, 2026

“I love meeting new people from all around the world and sharing the beauty of Provence.” Abi Treanor’s passion for Provence is just one reason to embark on a journey with idreamprovence. In 2015, Abi and her husband, Pierre Giammalva, founded their boutique tour company in southern France. Their mission is to reveal the magic …

Artists Inspired by Provence · Carolyne Kauser-Abbott · Inspire

Heavenly Silk Exhibition Breathes New Life into Historic Setting at Eygalières

April 6, 2026

In the heart of Eygalières in the Alpilles, the storied 12th-century church becomes a stage for Joanna Staniszkis’ mesmerizing exhibition, “Soie Tombee du Ciel/Heavenly Silk.” Here, the legacy of Provence’s silk artisans and the bravery of Jean Moulin are celebrated in a tapestry of art and history. Inspired by Heavenly Silk With a deep reverence …

Deborah Pham van Xua · Inspire · Learning French

Practice Your French at the Market in Aix-en-Provence

April 3, 2026

In Aix-en-Provence, le marché (the open-air market, pronounced luh mar-shay) is not a special event or a weekend activity. It is part of everyday life. Locals come to do les courses (their grocery shopping, pronounced lay koors), stop at familiar stalls, exchange a few words with vendors, comment on the weather, and continue with their …

Explore · Kathryn MacDonell · Stay Fit

Nietzsche’s Footpath in Èze – For A Contemplative Walk on the French Riviera

March 30, 2026

Friedrich Wilhelm Nietzsche’s words offer good advice: “Remain seated as little as possible, put no trust in any thought that is not born in the open, to the accompaniment of free bodily motion.” Riviera Day Trip In mid-September 2025, my husband and I took a day trip to the historic village of Èze. It is …

Books on Provence · Carolyne Kauser-Abbott · Inspire

New Memoir, ‘A Year in French Life’ by Espinasse Co-authors – Our Book Review

March 27, 2026

Kristin Espinasse, beloved for her evocative portraits of French living, invites readers back into her world with A Year in French Life, Volume 2. Kristin’s writing sparkles with sincerity, drawing us into the gentle rhythms and quiet surprises of everyday life in France. This year, her daughter Jacqueline joined the adventure, contributing her own voice …

Books on Provence · Carolyne Kauser-Abbott · Inspire

Carol Drinkwater’s One Summer in Provence: Does It Mirror Life in the South of France?

March 23, 2026

Last year, Carol Drinkwater delighted readers with her book One Summer in Provence, A Season of Surprises. The subtitle hints at surprises ahead, beginning with a damp evening in England in 1976 and shifting to a warm summer morning at Celia and Dominic Grey’s vineyard in the Provencal countryside. We wondered if the novel draws …

L'Oréliane en Provence a Charming B&B

Located in the Vaucluse, this comfortable five (5) room B&B in Châteauneuf de Gadagne is a great location for exploring the famous nearby villages and vineyards of the Southern Rhône Valley.

Vaucluse
Bed and Breakfast

VIEW THIS LISTING

Eygalières Hotel: Domaine La Pierre Blanche

The moment you drive through the front gate, you enter the embrace of this exclusive 15-room boutique hotel located minutes from Eygalières.

Alpilles
Boutique Hotels

VIEW THIS LISTING

Charming 18th-Century Farmhouse with Bed and Breakfast Rooms

Mas le Jas is a beautifully appointed Provençal farmhouse with two (2) comfortable bed and breakfast guest rooms. The Mas (farmhouse) is just a few minutes from the centre of Cavaillon.

Luberon
Vaucluse
Bed and Breakfast

VIEW THIS LISTING

6-Bedroom Villa a Provencal Farmhouse Sleeps 12

Mas de Grivet is an elegant, well-equipped family home that sleeps 12 in six en-suite bedrooms. Whether you're spending the holiday with extended family or a gathering of friends, this gorgeous property is a wonderful place to enjoy your stay in Provence.

Alpes de Hautes Provence
Luberon
Six Bedrooms

VIEW THIS LISTING

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

VIEW THIS LISTING

Provence Marketplace

Floral-scented Candle

Created for the Rose et Marius founder, this candle fragrance includes jasmine, roses, iris, orange blossom and vanilla bouquets. This candle - Rose's scented water - smells like sunshine in Provence. Buy these refillable candles as gifts or for your home.

Buy Now

Bee Pattern Drinking Glasses

Made by La Rochère, this French glassware is sturdy and easy to clean. The cheerful bee pattern will remind you of summertime in Provence. They are sold as a set of two by French Address.

Buy Now

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.

Buy Now

French Linen Tablecloth Fresh Herb Design

My French Country Home brings the beauty and fragrance of a French herb garden to your home with this Fine Herbs Linen Tablecloth. Designed with an elegant display of the most beloved culinary herbs, this tablecloth adds a fresh, botanical charm to any dining setting. 100% high-quality linen. Measures: 170x250cm / 67×98″

Buy Now

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.

Buy Now

Travel Journal – Cannes

Whether you are visiting Cannes for the film festival or not this travel journal is perfect for recording you adventures on the Côte d’Azur. This travel journal from My French Country Home features watercolour prints on throughout its 128 pages. Size: 14.5 x 20.5 cm. It is beautiful, combining sustainability with artistry.

Buy Now

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.

Buy Now

The Art of Antiquing in France Book and Gift Set by Sharon Santoni

Treat yourself or a loved one to an exclusive gift set from the My French Country Home Boutique, featuring: • An exclusive signed copy of The Art of Antiquing in France • Custom The Art of Antiquing in France bookmark • A unique antique monogrammed French napkin • One of the two floral notebooks • A My French Country Home tote bag, ideal for adding a touch of French flair to your daily routine

Buy Now

Glass Storage Jars with Lavender Design

These hand-painted glass jars are designed in Paris with a red lavender motif. The canisters are suitable for dry goods or even as a flower vase. The jar capacity is 0.4 gallons (1.5 litres), made with transparent, sturdy glass and a wooden lid.

Buy Now

Download Our Spring Menu Collection

Mary Kay Seales

Interested in Buying a Home in France? Here is An Explainer Guide for Foreigners

Private Provence Tours? Book idreamprovence Custom Travel Experiences

Heavenly Silk Exhibition Breathes New Life into Historic Setting at Eygalières

Practice Your French at the Market in Aix-en-Provence

Nietzsche’s Footpath in Èze – For A Contemplative Walk on the French Riviera

New Memoir, ‘A Year in French Life’ by Espinasse Co-authors – Our Book Review

Carol Drinkwater’s One Summer in Provence: Does It Mirror Life in the South of France?

About Perfectly Provence

Our Provence Marketplace

Explore Our Contributors