Deborah Bine

The Barefoot Blogger, aka Deborah Bine, loves to share tales of her solo life in France as an American expat who speaks no French. Retired from a career in advertising and marketing communications, and divorced after a 40-year marriage with children, Deborah left Beaufort, South Carolina and all of her belongings last year to move to the south of France. Now that she has found her "bliss," her passion is to encourage others to break away from whatever is holding them back and to go after their dreams. "We're on life's journey alone. Be certain you love where you are."

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Why the Nice Opera House Should be on Your Must-See List

March 12, 2025

The Nice Opera House, located in the heart of the Côte d’Azur, is a stunning Belle Époque landmark and a cultural hub for opera lovers. Its opulent yet intimate setting makes every performance feel personal and immersive. On this particular night, Puccini’s Edgar took center stage, with George’s design transforming this lesser-known opera into a …

Barefoot Blogger · Explore · Villages Towns and Cities

Why Visit Gourdon a Lovely Village in the Alpes-Maritimes

February 10, 2025

The medieval village of Gourdon offers breathtaking panoramic views of the Côte d’Azur and the Loup Valley. This quaint village in the Alpes-Maritimes region of Provence is a treasure trove of history, culture, and natural beauty. Recognized as one of “Les Plus Beaux Villages de France” (The Most Beautiful Villages of France), Gourdon’s winding cobbled …

Barefoot Blogger · Explore · Road Trips South of France

A Beautiful Coastal Drive Along the French Riviera to the Estérel Massif

January 31, 2025

Continuing our journey along the last coastal area, we drove towards the Forêt Domaniale de l’Esterel. The transition from the serene coast to the rugged hills was striking. The road gradually climbed into the Esterel Massif, where the landscape transformed dramatically. The Estérel Massif extends approximately 32 kilometres (20 miles) along the French Mediterranean coast …

Barefoot Blogger · Explore · Road Trips South of France

Drive this Stunning Beauty the Route des Crêtes Cassis to La Ciotat

January 15, 2025

As we climbed higher, the views became increasingly spectacular. The Route des Crêtes isn’t just about the views—it’s also about the experience of driving it. The road is narrow and winding, with sharp hairpin turns and steep grades that test your skills as a driver. There were moments when it felt like the road was …

Barefoot Blogger · Explore · Villages Towns and Cities

Art and History are Reasons to Visit Mougins Near the Côte d’Azur

November 18, 2024

When most people think of the South of France, their minds jump to the glamour of Cannes or the charm of Nice. But if you’re looking for a place where history, art, and stunning landscapes come together, the artful village of Mougins is the spot you don’t want to miss. Just a short drive from …

Barefoot Blogger · Explore · Road Trips South of France

A Côte d’Azur Road Trip on the Coast and to Villages

November 11, 2024

One of the life experiences I cherish the most is spending time along the Côte d’Azur. However, I must confess that I’m geographically challenged, so the more I visited, the more confused I became about something relatively straightforward. “Which seaside towns are below which hilltop villages?” To settle the question, my friend Heidi and I …

Barefoot Blogger · Explore · Villages Towns and Cities

Marseille City Highlights Ideas for How to Spend 3-Days

September 16, 2024

Welcome to Marseille, a city with history, culture, and scenic views. Whether you’re interested in historic landmarks, lively markets, or beautiful natural spots, Marseille has something special for everyone. Here are three days of attractions and dining suggestions to make your visit unforgettable. Day 1: Explore the heart of Marseille. Starting at the Vieux Port, …

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Studio Apartment Minutes from Aix-en-Provence

Surrounded by vineyards, the air-conditioned studio apartment has a bedroom, bathroom, a small kitchenette, and a sitting area.

Bouches du Rhone
One Bedroom

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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

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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

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Sablet Village House Holiday Rental

A beautiful stone house in the middle of Sablet, within walking distance of boulangerie and more. This wine village is known for its Côte du Rhone wines.

Vaucluse
Three Bedrooms

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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

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Provence Marketplace

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.

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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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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.

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Lavender Sachet from Provence

L'AUGUSTE Provence organic lavender sachets are decorative objects with additional wellness benefits and the delicate scent is soothing.

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Spring Menu Collection

Spring recipes from Provence is organized by course, from starters to desserts. We have featured menus crafted by our favourite food enthusiasts who have shared our love for Provence for several years. This spring recipe collection brings many of those delicious dishes together in one place. These menus, spanning multiple courses, are a testament to their connection with the region and the use of seasonal ingredients.

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French Linen Table Runner

A linen table runner that is the perfect combination of rustic and refined. The embroidered stitching enhances the neutral-coloured linen. Add this French Address runner to your collection.

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Antique French Basket

My French Country Home sourced this classic French wicker basket. It is ideal for harvesting flowers, vegetables or fruit around the garden! The wicker basket is attached to two wooden feet, giving it extra weight and height. It is a lovely piece.

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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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My French Country Home Box

Because travel is not always possible, you can still give beautiful artisan keepsakes from French manufacturers with My French Country Home Box, a curated subscription box.

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Download Our Summer Menu Collection

Deborah Bine

Why the Nice Opera House Should be on Your Must-See List

Why Visit Gourdon a Lovely Village in the Alpes-Maritimes

A Beautiful Coastal Drive Along the French Riviera to the Estérel Massif

Drive this Stunning Beauty the Route des Crêtes Cassis to La Ciotat

Art and History are Reasons to Visit Mougins Near the Côte d’Azur

A Côte d’Azur Road Trip on the Coast and to Villages

Marseille City Highlights Ideas for How to Spend 3-Days

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