Church Bells of Bonnieux Recently, we stayed in the hilltop village of Bonnieux in Provence’s Luberon where we were treated to a singular sensory experience. We reached out to Vincent Gils, the only carillonneur (bell-ringer) left in the Vaucluse area and one of few left in France. Vincent’s father, Bernard, …

Armchair travel never replaces the real thing, so you’ve decided to spend some holiday time in Provence. Whether this is your first trip or you are fortunate to have visited many times, booking the right accommodation should be at the top of your planning list. Ending up in a place …

Make Apt Home Base Apt is one of the larger centres in the Luberon and a great place from which to explore the hilltop towns, lavender fields, and vineyards of Provence. The weekly Saturday morning market in Apt is popular all year, it’s one of the biggest ones with stalls …

Finding work is one of the primary causes of concern for expats. What makes it even more challenging in this region, is that much of that work is given by word-of-mouth. Establishing a few contacts before the move helps enormously unless you have time (and savings) to build up some …

Provence in Autumn Bizarrely we sense and feel the changing seasons more in Provence than we do in Devon. Back in Exeter, the proximity to the sea seems to soften the edges of summer as it shifts into autumn and likewise, autumn into winter. That’s not the case here. Today …

When imagining Provence, perhaps you think of three-star Michelin restaurants serving snails with white truffles, paired with decades-old Bandol rosé. Sure thing, but regular French people also live in Provence and don’t have that much money to spare on a meal. Smart tourists will follow the local’s lead and can …

Gayle Padgett and her husband Ralph maintained a long-distance relationship with Provence for two decades. They often travelled to the South of France during their vacation from US government jobs in Germany. As their retirement years approached, the “Where are we going to live?” question loomed. The couple chose a …

Cannes-do Holidays When you think of Cannes, you probably think of the Film Festival, A-List celebrities, superyachts, private jets, sports cars and all the glamour enjoyed by the rich and famous which bears little resemblance to your family summer holidays, right? However, with a little planning, a family holiday in …

Now more than ever, discerning travellers are looking for a place where time stands still, at least until the cocktail hour arrives. Located near the charming village of Eygalières, Domaine La Pierre Blanche is framed by nature, surrounded by mountains and vineyards. From the moment you drive through the front …

Historic Charm Go on, allow yourself to be seduced by Uzes’s ancient winding, cobbled streets, its golden stone and hidden squares… As an early Roman settlement and France’s first Duchy, Uzes has attracted traders and visitors since antiquity. Today its airy squares and winding streets play host to a multitude …