Download Our Summer Menu Collection

Since summer entertaining should be a breeze, this collection, designed with simplicity in mind, features 20 easy-to-follow recipes and a few menu suggestions. Download this PDF, which includes recipes for starters, main courses, side dishes, and desserts.

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Home Contributors Gayle Padgett

Gayle Padgett

Gayle Smith Padgett, a UCLA graduate, has two master’s degress, neither in French. After studying in Mexico and South America, she worked as a language specialist in California and Virginia and later as a management analyst and US government liaison in Heidelberg, Germany. In 2011, she and her husband moved to Provence where they continue to crack French culture codes.

Discover more about Gayle's backstory and writing on her website - gaylesmithpadgett.com and read her books Passion for Provence: 22 Keys to La Belle Vie and The Birdwatcher's Wife: A Quest across France for Birds and La Belle Vie.

The Perrier Museum and Source Find Out What’s the Hubbub Over Bubbles?

June 19, 2024

In the tiny town of Vergèze, near the fabulous Roman city of Nîmes, stands the mega powerhouse producer of bottled water bubbles known worldwide as Perrier. The Perrier Museum The story behind this “Champagne of table waters” becoming a globally recognized brand began over 160 years ago. While on a ...

Explore · Gayle Padgett · Locals Travel Tips

A Great Place to See Flocks of Flamingos in Provence

September 14, 2023

Calling all nature and bird lovers! During your trip to Provence, you won’t want to miss the family-friendly Parc Ornithologique de Pont-de-Gau. This birding hot spot in the Camargue is near Saintes-Maries-de-la-Mer, where you will see pink flamingos and many other birds. See Flamingos and More This is far from ...

Explore · Gayle Padgett · Villages Towns and Cities

A Visit to Mougins and 5 Things To Do

June 16, 2022

While in Mougins to give a talk on my latest book, The Birdwatcher’s Wife, I was delighted to reacquaint myself with the enchanting area. My previous visit had been three years ago when I made a presentation on my first book, Passion for Provence: 22 Keys to La Belle Vie. ...

Explore · Gayle Padgett · Villages Towns and Cities

Sites and Birds: Interesting Walks in Saint-Rémy-de-Provence

March 15, 2022

Mother Nature jumped the gun this year, often bringing brilliant azure skies and near-balmy weather well before spring officially arrived. The tantalizing temps make bundling up unnecessary when my husband and I head outside to elevate our heart rate with a nature walk. And with the expansive Parc Naturel Regional ...

Explore · Gayle Padgett · Villages Towns and Cities

Learning About St Rémy History Lessons

September 4, 2019

My French TV Debut When a producer from the France Canal 3 called me up to ask if I would participate—as the expat writer—in a segment of the travel show Chroniques Méditerranéennes (show details below) with Nathalie Simon, I was ecstatic. A French TV show planning to feature St. Rémy ...

Contributors · Explore · Gayle Padgett · Villages Towns and Cities

French Riviera Many Reasons to Visit Menton

April 3, 2019

In February, Author Gayle Padgett and her husband Ralph drove to the Côte d’Azur to visit friends who live near Menton. There are many reasons to visit this coastal city. The citrus festival (Fête du Citron) is a big draw for visitors in mid-winter. The rest of the year, as ...

Explore · Gayle Padgett

Day in the Olive Groves: Virgin Olive-Harvester No More!

November 9, 2018

This article was written by Gayle Padgett Smith the author of Passion for Provence: 22 Keys to La Belle Vie. She shares that she is no longer a virgin to the olivade (olive harvest) St. Remy de Provence. Here, is our book review on Passion for Provence a Memoir by Gayle ...

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Villefranche-sur-Mer Gem 1-bedroom holiday rental

Le Petit Bijou is a 1-bedroom apartment on Villefranche's waterfront. The apartment is fully outfitted, ideal for a Riviera holiday.

Côte d’Azur (French Riviera)
One Bedroom

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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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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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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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Large Property Near Aix - Ferme du Val

Ferme du Val is a spacious seven (7) bedroom home, including a studio apartment that sleeps, 14 people. Available for short or long-term rental.

Bouches du Rhone
Seven Bedrooms

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Provence Marketplace

Liquid Bath Soap from Provence

Made in Provence with olive oil and perfumed with an exclusive Rose et Marius fragrance. Use this liquid soap in your next shower. The summery scent of orange blossoms and Turkish rose essence is created in Grasse. These refillable, paraben-free liquid soaps are found in beautiful 5* hotels and top-quality restaurants.

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Lavender Field Room Mist

Okanagan Lavender Field Room Mist is naturally scented with pure lavender essential oil and hydrosol, no synthetics or artificial fragrance. Spray in a room or directly on your bed linens, then lay back, close your eyes and breathe in the calming aroma of a beautiful field of lavender. (Shipping in Canada only).

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Rectangular Tablecloth with Provencal Motif

Southern France's nature unites with olive branches and lavender set on a yellow background from Remember Provence. A rectangular pattern this tablecloth is 100% cotton, and a has a light acrylic coating for easy cleaning. Also available in white.

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Botantical Sensitive Skin Toner

Grown at Okanagan Lavender & Herb Farm, this toner includes distilled damask roses and lavender blended with a note of chamomile – a year-round favourite for hydrating and nourishing your face. Especially beneficial for mature and sensitive skin as it helps to heal and balance redness and irritation. (Shipping in Canada only).

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Provencal Market Basket

My French Country Home sourced this classic French market basket. This basket is great for shopping, picnics or days at the beach. Made from palm fibre with leather straps, you can even use it as a handbag!

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Canadian Herbes de Provence

Okanagan Lavender & Herb Farm 2024 blend of Herbes de Provence are in stock. This dried herb mix (oregano, savory, thyme, rosemary, basil and lavender) what you want for seasoning roasted vegetables, dry rubs, or marinades. Note: Shipping in Canada only.

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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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Provencal Table Linens Blue Sunflower Design

Provence's sunflower for your home with this beautiful collection in a blue background. Placemats are shown in the image. Choose the entire collection of decorative linens. Made with 100% cotton these products from Remember Provence are durable and easy to clean.

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Table Runner Floral Design

Art de la Table is an art form. So instead of a tablecloth, use a pretty table runner in a bright blue floral design as your centrepiece. Available in 2 colours and 2 sizes, the traditional cotton print runner is quilted.

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Provence food, lifestyle and Mediterranean living magazine.

About Perfectly Provence

Perfectly Provence...is an essential online resource, a digital magazine for locals and visitors alike, with content collected from the region’s top regional writers. Focused exclusively on Provence, Perfectly Provence includes targeted regional content for both tourists and for those who have chosen the area for their permanent home. About Perfectly Provence

Our Provence Marketplace

Shop our collection of handcrafted and limited production French products. We feature beautiful items for home décor, accessories, beauty products, and gifts. These companies focus on traditional designs and promoting artisanal culture. In addition, our partners are environmentally conscious and work only with top-quality materials. If you are interested in collaborating please get in touch via our contact form. Visit the Marketplace

Explore Our Contributors

Our Perfectly Provence contributors share a passion for the region. Their varied backgrounds include writing, culinary arts, wine expertise, photography, video production, tour operations, and more. These voices help us create a unique collection of Provencal content presented in a digital magazine. Explore Our Contributors