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.

Why Visit Moustiers-Sainte-Marie a Beautiful Provencal Village

February 24, 2025

Moustiers-Sainte-Marie is a picturesque village in the département Alpes-de-Haute-Provence, within the breathtaking Parc Naturel Régional du Verdon, whose headquarters are in Moustiers-Sainte-Marie. It was our final stop on our exploration of Les Gorges du Verdon. Like Tourtour, Moustiers-Sainte-Marie is one of Les Plus Beaux Villages de France ~ the ‘Most ...

Caroline Longstaffe · Explore · Villages Towns and Cities

Why Cucuron is a Provencal Village in the Luberon Worth Visiting

January 22, 2025

Cucuron is a delightful southern Luberon village just a ten-minute drive from Lourmarin. Surrounded by rolling vineyards and olive groves, beloved for its charm and central ‘bassin, ‘Cucuron has become a favourite of movie makers. Several well-presented information boards share old photos and some of the local history throughout the ...

Caroline Longstaffe · Explore · Road Trips South of France

Simply Stunning Gorges du Verdon it’s Not to be Missed

November 13, 2024

For all our time spent in Provence, I’m embarrassed to admit that we had never been to les Gorges du Verdon. And it’s not far from Lourmarin, only about an hour and a half, in the hills of the Provence-Alpes-Côte d’Azur. We’d heard it was worth a visit, but what ...

Caroline Longstaffe · Explore · Locals Travel Tips

Summer in Provence is When to See Lavender Fields

June 1, 2023

Throughout the Luberon region, the landscape is peppered with fields of small, round-shaped lavender bushes, which for almost nine months of the year lie dormant like sleeping hedgehogs. In the spring, they begin to sprout, and from about the middle of June, their fragrant flowers bloom, fanning their purple fronds ...

Caroline Longstaffe · Inspire · Provencal History & Traditions

Why I’m Dreaming of Christmas in Provence

December 5, 2022

We departed Lourmarin just as winter had arrived, with Christmas around the corner. The trees were almost bare, only a few remnants of their golden autumn gown still clinging to the branches. Temperatures had fallen, especially when the Mistral blew her cruel, icy breath down the Rhône Valley. There were ...

Caroline Longstaffe · Taste · Wines and Spirits of Provence

Falling for Château Léoube Rosé from Provence

September 27, 2022

The first time that I tasted Château Léoube rosé was in California, not in Provence. It wasn’t that long ago that rosé wine was hard to find in the USA. Initially, it was often confused with white zinfandel, wine of a similar colour but not similar in any other way. ...

Caroline Longstaffe · Inspire · Shopping & Gifts

Christmas Shopping in Lourmarin

December 2, 2020

Lourmarin in December It’s December and people everywhere are getting ready for Christmas. After weeks of blue skies and gentle warm days, it’s raining where I live in California and temperatures have plummeted. The puddles are splattered with the last remnants of autumn and the mornings are frosty with low ...

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Luberon B&B Absoluut Valvert

Exclusive and charming, this 5 room B&B is surrounded by nature yet is only a stone's throw from historical Bonnieux.

Luberon
Vaucluse
Bed and Breakfast

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Seaside 2-Bedroom Apartment in Villefranche

A sunny waterfront apartment with panoramic views, Plage Privée, is on the top floor of a 1950s art deco building by the beach.

Côte d’Azur (French Riviera)
Two 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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Holiday Cottages Near Toulon

Near Toulon and its Mediterranean beaches, Villa Bernice has 3 cottages available for holiday rentals. There is an apartment with two bedrooms suitable for 4 people and two studios for 2 persons.

Var
One Bedroom
Two Bedrooms

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French Riviera 2-Bedroom Holiday Apartment

Chez Nous is a 2-bedroom, 2-bathroom penthouse apartment on a quiet pedestrian street known as Villefranche-sur-Mer's garden street.

Côte d’Azur (French Riviera)
Two Bedrooms

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Provence Marketplace

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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Lavender Sachet from Provence “Cyprès”

L'AUGUSTE Provence organic lavender sachets featuring a row of cypress trees. These sachets are decorative objects with a delicate soothing fragrance.

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Fall Recipes and Menu Collection

Featuring 25 recipes from the South of France for cooler fall weather along with menu suggestions, all designed to make your cooking experience enjoyable. These multi-course menus are a celebration of Provence and its seasonal ingredients. We encourage you to try these dishes, create your own menus, and enjoy your culinary creations this autumn.

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Sunflower Design Provencal Table Linens and Cushions

Provence's sunflower for your home with this beautiful collection in two background colours (white or blue). Choose from tablecloths (of different sizes), runners and cushions. Made with 100% cotton these products from Remember Provence are durable and easy to clean.

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Quilted Tote Bags in Provencal Fabrics

These large tote bags come in a range of Provencal fabrics. Whether you choose lavender, wild flowers or one of the other two patterns these sturdy bags are light yet strong enough to carry all the necessary accessories and even a laptop. The bags are made with printed and quilted fabric and have solid handles.

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Cotton Tablecloth Poppy Design

With an attractive poppy and lavender pattern, this round 71 inches tablecloth is 100% cotton, and a has light acrylic coating. Selected for its pretty design and easy maintenance. Available in white, blue and yellow backgrounds.

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Hand-Crafted Decorative Ceramic Sunflowers

Available in six (6) different colours these durable ceramic sunflowers are suitable for indoor or outdoor settings. Made by hand in Uzès by Maison Pichon these sunflowers are sold individually. Maison Pichon is an artisanal French ceramics manufacturer since 1802.

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Candles Fig Perfume from Provence

Rose et Marius combines citrus notes of fig leaves with Indian absolute for a summer in Provence into fragrance in this scented candle. Infused with exclusive perfumes, buy these refillable candles that burn for about 60 hours, making great gifts or additions to your home.

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Mortar and Pestle Made with Olive Wood

This Mortar and Pestle is produced by Bérard France. Made with olive wood from Provence, it is ideal for grinding herbs, seeds, and spices. Buy one for yourself or as a gift.

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Download Our Spring Menu Collection

Caroline Longstaffe

Why Visit Moustiers-Sainte-Marie a Beautiful Provencal Village

Why Cucuron is a Provencal Village in the Luberon Worth Visiting

Simply Stunning Gorges du Verdon it’s Not to be Missed

Summer in Provence is When to See Lavender Fields

Why I’m Dreaming of Christmas in Provence

Falling for Château Léoube Rosé from Provence

Christmas Shopping in Lourmarin

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