Michel and Shirley

Michel and Shirley, live in wine country, in Windsor, California. They have a full family with two beautiful daughters and five amazing grandchildren. Michel's day job is as CEO of Chancellor Health Care, a company which provides housing and services to older adults.

Previously a co-owner of a popular French bistro called Bistro des Copains located in Western Sonoma County California. The Bistro was closed in early 2015, after nine years!

In 2008, after searching for years and visiting many houses they bought a 17th century stone village house in the medieval village of Sablet which is in the Vaucluse region of Provence France.

Please read about the Sablet House (available for rent) and follow their blog Our House in Provence.

Looking to Brighten Up Your Home? Buy this Provence Home Decor Collection

April 9, 2025

Remember Provence has a new home decor collection to brighten your home and table. The “Magnolia” pattern features a bright, white flower pattern on a light background. Printed on a sturdy jacquard fabric (cotton-polyester blend) this grouping includes a tablecloth, cushion covers, table runners, and placemats. Shop the Magnolia Collection Provence Home Decor It isn’t …

Carolyne Kauser-Abbott · Rental & Self-Catered Properties in Provence · Stay: Accommodation & Rentals in Provence

Provence Gem: A Luxurious Rental Home Available from July

April 7, 2025

Escape to Provence’s Bouches-du-Rhône and book your stay at this luxurious rental home nestled between the picturesque villages of Saint Cannat and Lambesc. A short five-minute drive connects you to these charming towns – details below. Available for long-term rental From July 1, 2025, seize the chance to live at this 5,500 m2 (60,000 sqft) …

Carolyne Kauser-Abbott · Inspire · Learning French

Experience French and Provence: Book an Immersion Holiday Near Toulon

April 4, 2025

Do you want to learn to speak French or improve your language skills while on holiday in Provence? In 2021, French native Beatrice Carrot and her husband relocated from San Francisco to Toulon, the home of the French Navy (arsenal de Toulon). It was not long before they fell in love with the city, the …

Christine van der Linden · Hans Zeegers · Local Food Producers · Provencal Recipes · Taste

Provence’s Tranquil Escape: Goat Farming in the South

April 3, 2025

Have you ever considered leaving your familiar lifestyle for a new adventure in a beautiful location such as Provence? Edith Sellier and her husband took that leap. They traded their household appliance store in Liège, Belgium, for a life as goat farmers in picturesque Provence, just east of the perfume capital of Grasse. They have …

Carolyne Kauser-Abbott · Inspire · Shopping & Gifts

Travel Journals a Gift Idea For Someone Travelling to Provence Côte d’Azur

April 1, 2025

Social media may be a way to show off your travel photos, but nothing is better than a keepsake that stands the test of time. Travel Journals Gift Idea These travel journals from My French Country Home are beautiful books. Filled with watercolour prints, each journal is 128 pages long, with space for notes, sketches, …

Carolyne Kauser-Abbott · Living in Provence · Rental & Self-Catered Properties in Provence · Stay: Accommodation & Rentals in Provence

A Long-term Rental Delivers all the benefits of the Mediterranean Lifestyle

March 31, 2025

Stay a While Villefranche-sur-Mer, an enchanting town between Nice and Monaco along the renowned French Riviera, presents an ideal setting for a long-term rental. This article delves into the advantages of residing in Villefranche-sur-Mer, emphasizing its historical charm, breathtaking landscapes, and a prime location for exploring the greater Riviera and Italian coast. With a pedestrian-friendly …

Carolyne Kauser-Abbott · Provencal Recipes · Side Dish · Taste

Ratatouille: Classic Provencal Dish a Chef’s Recipe to Try

March 28, 2025

Ratatouille is one of the classic Provençal recipes that works well as a side dish with grilled meat or fish. The recipe below comes from our friends at My French Country Home. While there are probably many variations, the dish always includes fresh local vegetables. The dish is considered a summer recipe when the base …

Newer Posts 1 2 … 8 9 10 Older Posts

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

VIEW THIS LISTING

Alpilles 2-Bedroom Rental Stunning Guesthouse

La Picholine is a completely renovated barn with 2 ensuite bedrooms in the centre of the quiet village of Mollégès in the Alpilles. It's a perfect base for a holiday in the area.

Alpilles
Two Bedrooms

VIEW THIS LISTING

Holiday Apartment 3-Bedrooms in an Olive Grove

A delightful 3-bedroom holiday apartment at Domaine des Escavalins is an organic olive farm. Well-appointed and private, the gite has room for six (6) people.

Var
Three Bedrooms

VIEW THIS LISTING

Bonnieux - 3 Bedroom Village Apartment

Bonheur en Bonnieux a 1300-square foot, 3-bedroom/2 bathroom, the newly-renovated apartment is located in the village center.

Luberon
Three Bedrooms

VIEW THIS LISTING

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

VIEW THIS LISTING

Provence Marketplace

Liquid Bath Soap from Provence

Made in Provence with olive oil and perfumed with an exclusive Rose et Marius fragrance. Use this liquid soap in your next shower. The summery scent of orange blossoms and Turkish rose essence is created in Grasse. These refillable, paraben-free liquid soaps are found in beautiful 5* hotels and top-quality restaurants.

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

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.

Buy Now

Natural Soap from Provence with Fig Fragrance

Rose et Marius soaps are made with 97% natural ingredients (palm oil-free) and exclusive fragrances. Formulated with poppy and olive oil from Provence, this soap has a perfume that will remind you of a fig tree in summer.

Buy Now

Eco-friendly Wine Cooler Bag from Provence

Le Rob'Fresh is a chic, lightweight (200g - 7 oz) cooler bag for transporting your wine bottle or beverage. The cooler bag can hold 1.8 kg, is available in a collection of motifs, and is machine-washable (in cold). The fabric is OEKO-TEX® certified, and the bags have an environmentally-friendly kraft gel pack. The small Rob'Fresh version is L 36 cm (14 in) x H 19cm (7 in) x W 9 cm (3.5 in). Price is 23€ + shipping.

Buy Now

Naturally Beautiful Beeswax Candle

Some things start at the beginning and one example is Origine a gorgeous 100% beeswax candle that is shaped like a behive. Produced in the Apis Cera atelier in Provence this candle burns for approximately 100 hours. Beautiful designed this handcrafted candle is made with 100% pure beeswax and has a cotton wick.

Buy Now

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.

Buy Now

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.

Buy Now

Provencal Table Linens in an Elegant Design

Discover the Roussillon linen pattern a new collection in a pretty Provencal motif includes tablecloths (of different sizes), throws and cushions. Made with 100% cotton these products from Remember Provence are durable and easy to clean.

Buy Now

Download Our Summer Menu Collection

Michel and Shirley

Looking to Brighten Up Your Home? Buy this Provence Home Decor Collection

Provence Gem: A Luxurious Rental Home Available from July

Experience French and Provence: Book an Immersion Holiday Near Toulon

Provence’s Tranquil Escape: Goat Farming in the South

Travel Journals a Gift Idea For Someone Travelling to Provence Côte d’Azur

A Long-term Rental Delivers all the benefits of the Mediterranean Lifestyle

Ratatouille: Classic Provencal Dish a Chef’s Recipe to Try

About Perfectly Provence

Our Provence Marketplace

Explore Our Contributors