Caroline Longstaffe

A traveller at heart, Caroline says she was most probably born under a wandering star. This English girl lives in California, but has a soft spot for France. After living in Provence for 18 months, she admits that she is now torn between the towns of Uzes and Lourmarin - she cannot decide which is her favourite. During her stay in Provence, Caroline launched her blog Shutters and Sunflowers. Her blog is about passion, about living the journey not waiting to get to the destination.

Head to Lourmarin on Fridays for Market Day

July 26, 2019

Lourmarin on Fridays Early on Friday morning, when the clock chimes eight, the sound of clanking metal posts gently peppers the air. White vans fill the car park outside my door, and market stalls spring up in Lourmarin’s Place Henri Barthélémy, spilling out along the streets. Friday is market day in Lourmarin, and as I …

Caroline Longstaffe · Inspire · Shopping & Gifts

Lourmarin Shopping for Provencal Linens

March 12, 2019

By Caroline Longstaffe: Shopping in Lourmarin As we’ve spent increasing amounts of time in Lourmarin we’ve come to know more of the people in the village, all of whom have been warm and welcoming. Like us, many of them are not originally from the area but similarly captivated by its’ enchantment have chosen to make it their …

Caroline Longstaffe · Inspire · Shopping & Gifts

Lavender Wands at La Maison FRANC in Lourmarin

February 26, 2019

By Caroline Longstaffe: When Philippe Franc, the owner of La Maison FRANC first came to live in Pertuis, near Lourmarin, his neighbor welcomed him with a gift, a lavender wand or Coeur de Lavande. It was a defining moment and the first step in a story which led to the opening of his exquisite shop in …

Caroline Longstaffe · Explore

Visit Château La Coste for Art, Architecture and Wine

December 13, 2018

Nestled among rolling vineyards between the historic city of Aix-en-Provence (14km) and the stunning Luberon Valley (21km), you will find Château La Coste. Purchased by Irish real estate developer Paddy McKillen in 2002, the ordinary has been transformed into the extraordinary. Château La Coste is now a stunning domain set within 600 hectares, dedicated to fine wine, …

Caroline Longstaffe · Explore · Villages Towns and Cities

Luberon Villages Lourmarin in the Off-Sesason

December 11, 2018

It’s raining today in Provence and after nearly a month of clear, blue skies and gentle, warm autumnal days, temperatures have plummeted signalling the beginnings of winter. Nowhere, even Lourmarin, is idyllic in the rain, or is it? Perhaps enticed by the recently hung lights across the streets of the village and the shops starting to …

Caroline Longstaffe · Explore · Villages Towns and Cities

Our Top Local’s Picks for Your Visit to Saint Remy de Provence

October 3, 2018

Contributor blog post by Caroline Longstaffe: Recently someone who only had four days to spend in Provence asked me if I had to choose between a visit to Aix-en-Provence or Saint-Rémy-de-Provence, which would it be. Preferably I’d find the time for both but as stunning a city as Aix is, in June, for the first visit …

Caroline Longstaffe · Taste · Wines and Spirits of Provence

Le Château Constantin Wines a Family Vineyard near Lourmarin

May 31, 2018

Contributor blog post by Caroline Longstaffe: Many people dream of owning a winery; a romantic illusion of strolling through carefully tended vines sharing your vintages within the shadows of a sprawling château, which for me would have to be in Provence. Of course, dreams like this seldom come true, such a highly competitive, risky venture …

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2-Bedroom Penthouse in Villefranche-sur-Mer

Extremely private, the Waterfront Penthouse 2-bedroom, 2-bath holiday rental with a panoramic view is a very romantic place.

Côte d’Azur (French Riviera)
Two Bedrooms

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1-Bedroom Holiday Cottage

Located in the peaceful south Luberon, this well-appointed gîte offers a real escape to the peaceful Provencal countryside with all the necessary modern comforts.

Luberon
Vaucluse
One Bedroom

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3 Luberon Holiday Rental Cottages

Looking for a tranquil, self-catered vacation home for two? Book your stay at one of the 3 cottages - maisonettes - at Maison Valvert.

Luberon
Vaucluse
One Bedroom

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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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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

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Provence Marketplace

Shower Gel Figs in Summer Fragrance

Made with olive oil from Provence and exclusive fragrances from the perfume capital of France, Grasse. These Rose et Marius liquid soaps are paraben-free and refillable. Try this soap the next time your shower with a scent that will remind you of a fig tree in summer. Found in beautiful 5* hotels and top-quality restaurants.

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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.

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Cotton Tote Bag “Poésie”

A lightweight tote bag with a beautiful watercolour design printed on the front. Each L'AUGUSTE Provence tote bag is unique and entirely handmade.

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Fig-scented Home Fragrance Diffuser

A beautiful glass diffuser perfumes your home with the heady Provencal scent of ripe figs in the summertime - like a siesta in the sun. This fragrance is created exclusively for Rose et Marius in France's perfume capital Grasse.

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Natural Rosé-scented Soap from Provence

Rose et Marius soaps are made with 97% natural ingredients (palm oil free). Formulated with poppy and olive oil from Provence and infused with a concentration of an exclusive fragrance that smells like rosé in the summer.

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Photo: Lavender Fields in Provence

Whether or not you have seen the lavender fields in Valensole, this panorama will transport you to a magical place in Provence. Photo by François de Melogue, a talented chef and photographer. Available in a choice of sizes and different paper stock.

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Summer Recipes and Menu Collection

Discover the art of hosting in the relaxed Provence style, focusing on simple, fresh ingredients and conviviality. This seasonal collection features 20 recipes, including starters, main courses, side dishes, and desserts. Featuring seasonal ingredients such as tomatoes, figs, goat cheese, and chard, this Summer Recipe Collection helps with ideas for easy entertaining.

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Rectangular Linen Tablecloth Citrus Design

This gorgeous linen tablecloth will set a Mediterranean mood in your dining room. My French Country Home chose this citrus pattern for it's bold, playful colours. This rectangular tablecloth measures 170 x 250cm / 67 × 98″.

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Travel Journal for Your Visit to Marseille

From bouillabaisse to petanque, Marseille is a city that combines a Mediterranean lifestyle with great food. This travel journal from My French Country Home for Marseille features watercolour prints on the cover and throughout its 128 pages. It is 14.5 x 20.5 cm and made of recycled paper (25%). The journal is eco-friendly and beautiful, combining sustainability with artistry.

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Download Our Fall Menu Collection

Caroline Longstaffe

Head to Lourmarin on Fridays for Market Day

Lourmarin Shopping for Provencal Linens

Lavender Wands at La Maison FRANC in Lourmarin

Visit Château La Coste for Art, Architecture and Wine

Luberon Villages Lourmarin in the Off-Sesason

Our Top Local’s Picks for Your Visit to Saint Remy de Provence

Le Château Constantin Wines a Family Vineyard near Lourmarin

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Our Provence Marketplace

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