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

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 inspiration from Carol Drinkwater’s life in the South of France. Please read her answers to our questions below.

Carol Drinkwater’s Inspiration

Carol Drinkwater has a strong attachment to the south of France. She and her husband, Michel, bought a “ruin” in the South of France with a view over the Bay of Cannes. They had to scrimp to afford the property. Despite the hard work involved in the renovation and in cultivating the land, Carol Drinkwater says, “It changed my life.” She and her husband live on their property, which features a large olive grove in the Estérel. Drinkwater shared that she always wanted to write, but owning the home inspired her to research olive trees across the Mediterranean and write her books. Her creative work, acting and writing are her priorities.

In One Summer in Provence, Carol Drinkwater drew inspiration from the idea that inheriting a vineyard could change a couple’s future. A rural home and the charm of Provence seem perfect, but they can upend lives and bring a new sense of belonging. Please read our book review here.

1) You have authored 25 books, including memoirs and fiction set in the South of France. How much of “One Summer in Provence” is based on real experiences?

One Summer in Provence, as a story, is not based on my experiences at all. It is a fiction. However, the fact that I live in this region and know the seasons, the land, the scents and tastes and the history of the region have all coloured the backdrop to the fictionalized story.

2) One Summer in Provence is set in the Var, not far from the coast, with the Estérel as a backdrop. Obviously, you know this area well, as you live in the same region. However, are there other motivations (remote villages, challenging farmland, climate impacts) for introducing this landscape to readers?

No, I chose this spot because it is less known than the French Riviera, the coast or the towns over towards St Tropez.

3) Les Roches du Soleil is fictional, but do you see similarities with your own buying and ownership experiences in the region?

No, Celia, the protagonist of One Summer in Provence, inherited her parents’ vineyard after they both passed on. We bought a rundown olive farm and struggled to pay for it and to learn how to farm the olive trees.

4) “One Summer in Provence” explores many emotional themes – old romances, buried secrets, taboo topics, generational gaps, and fan adoration, among others. What surprised you in your character development?

It all surprises me! That is the joy of writing, of storytelling. All I knew as I embarked was that I had a couple who had been married for a long while and that they were dealing with buried issues. They live in Paradise, but they also have domestic issues to address. The story began to roll from there. I loved writing this book because it is full of surprises and kept me guessing, too. I have thoroughly enjoyed the characters as they unfolded their secrets and began to reveal themselves. This is when the work feels rich, rewarding, and very exciting.

5) The novel explores various environmental themes such as fire risk, drought, violent storms, and their impact on agriculture. Were these topics inspired by your experiences with olive cultivation and property management in southern France, your travels around the Mediterranean, or a combination of both?

I am, I hope, very environmentally conscious. I have travelled the entire Mediterranean from east to west, in and out of war zones, in search of the history of the Olive Tree and its cultivation over millennia. I spent seventeen months alone travelling through the countries on the Mediterranean. You cannot see all the damage and the good initiatives without being touched by them. War, over-industrialization of crops, overuse of chemicals on the land, desertification, etc. Weather patterns are changing, becoming more dramatic, or they certainly are down our way. I wanted to address that, too, because anyone who is farming or producing down our way also needs to consider these challenges.

6) It’s the South of France, so naturally, food, wine, and gatherings are part of the story. However, in your experience, is this the clichéd Provencal lifestyle portrayed in Instagram images, or the “real deal”? Why is it essential to the novel?

I don’t know what Instagram is doing with images, but I do know that the celebration of food, producing and eating it, is very much part of our lifestyle. Guests, of course, always want a bed when the holiday seasons come around. I love entertaining, though I do very little these days because I am so busy. If you live in one of the most beautiful parts of the world, of course, you celebrate it. I want everyone to enjoy its generosity, its changing light colours, its flora and fauna. Sharing is essential for good living.

7) Not that you left us hanging, but could there be a continuation of the One Summer in Provence story in a future book?

I am currently writing a very different novel. A historical story set in Marseille and its environs, so a follow-up to “One Summer in Provence” is not on my agenda just now. I have had several readers write and ask for a follow-up, which is always a good sign.

Buy: One Summer in Provence

About Carol Drinkwater

Carol Drinkwater is a multi-award-winning actress, writer and filmmaker, best known for her portrayal of Helen Herriot in the classic BBC television series All Creatures Great and Small. She is the author of twenty-five books, both fiction and non-fiction and including the bestselling Olive Farm memoir series set in the south of France. Her latest TV work is a six-part travel/lifestyle programme commissioned by the UK’s Channel 5, Carol Drinkwater’s Secret Provence. Carol lives with her husband in France. Her website

Why Explore the Estérel Massif?

The French Riviera beaches are busy in high season, but not far from the coast, an unspoilt natural area awaits your discovery. Whether you are looking for a drive in the countryside or something more active, exploring the Estérel range is a must. The Estérel coastal mountain range straddles the Var and Alpes-Maritimes departments in southeastern France. Of volcanic origins, the massif is roughly 32,000 hectares of rugged terrain awaiting exploration. The highest peak at 618 metres is Mont Vinaigre, and the Gorges de Blavet, carved by a river, includes a Bronze Age cave. According to the Estérel Côte d’Azur tourism office, there are 72 trails for biking (road, gravel and mountain), climbing, hiking, and walking that crisscross the range, including many within the protected Forêt domaniale de l’Estérel. What are you waiting for?

Full day Bandol & Cassis Discovery Wine Tour from Marseille

Begin your journey in the medieval village of Le Castellet, perched elegantly atop a wooded hill overlooking lush vineyards. Next, venture into the renowned Bandol wine region.

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Carolyne Kauser-Abbott

With her camera and laptop close at hand, Carolyne has traded in her business suits for the world of freelance writing and blogging. Her first airplane ride at six months of age was her introduction to the exciting world of travel.

While in Provence, Carolyne can be found hiking with friends, riding the hills around the Alpilles or tackling Mont Ventoux. Her attachment to the region resonates in Perfectly Provence this digital magazine that she launched in 2014. This website is an opportunity to explore the best of the Mediterranean lifestyle (food & wine, places to stay, expat stories, books on the region, travel tips, real estate tips and more), through our contributors' articles.

Carolyne writes a food and travel blog Ginger and Nutmeg. Carolyne’s freelance articles can be found in Global Living Magazine, Avenue Magazine and City Palate (Published Travel Articles).