Colorado Provencal Luberon Walk
ExploreJulie WhitmarshStay Fit

The Colorado Provencal a Beautiful Luberon Walk

I woke up this morning with a plan, and it seemed a good one too. After a week of doing lots of long walks with the dog, I had decided that we could both do with a slower day, so I planned an early drive to the market at L’Isle …

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Great Hiking Luberon
ExploreJulie WhitmarshStay Fit

There is Great Hiking in the Luberon

This last week, I have been out every day, walking with Millie. Not just a little amble along the lane or up the trails at the back of the house, but good, long walks, exploring some favourite tracks and finding some new ones too. Although the physiotherapist has said that …

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Gordes Hiking Walking Luberon Roussillon
ExploreJulie WhitmarshStay Fit

Walking in the Luberon Roussillon for Coffee

Although we always like to think that every day in Provence is warm and sunny, that isn’t the case. Winter in Provence can mean sunshine & blue skies one day, then heavy snow the next. See the photo of Simiane-La-Rotonde in the snow below. When I threw open the shutters …

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Visit Menton Fête Citron French Riviera
InspireJulie WhitmarshWhat's On Provence & Cote d'Azur

A Visit to Menton for the Fête du Citron

We’ve just returned from our 3rd visit to the Cote d’Azur for our February fix of colour and fun at the Carnaval de Nice and (of course) the superb Fête du Citron that takes place in the beautiful setting of Menton from mid-February until early March each year. Menton’s Lemons …

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Apt Saturday Market Fresh Produce
Julie WhitmarshRental & Self-Catered Properties in ProvenceStay: Accommodation & Rentals in Provence

Looking for Rental Accommodation Near Apt

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 …

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Breakfast Favourite Luberon Villages
Julie WhitmarshRestaurant RecommendationsTaste

Breakfast in our Favourite Luberon Villages

As you have probably guessed, I am a little bit restricted at the moment after my tumble a couple of weeks ago and am already missing being able to get out on the bike. I have very quickly realized that I am really not very good at being sedentary and …

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Planning Tips Brocantes Provence
InspireJulie WhitmarshShopping & Gifts

My Planning Tips for Brocantes In Provence

In the last few years, Saturdays would normally involve a trip across to the wonderful brocante market at Villeneuve-Les-Avignon, arriving early and spending the whole morning just fuddling around the stalls, finding new pieces for the house, or simply letting our imaginations run riot with what we may be able …

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Provence Summer Autumn
Expat Living and Real EstateJulie WhitmarshLiving in Provence

When Provence Shifts from Summer to Autumn

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 …

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Market Day Banon
ExploreJulie WhitmarshVillages Towns and Cities

Market Day and Other Reasons to Visit Banon

To Market in Banon Sometimes the best-laid plans have to be cast aside, and that was the case last Tuesday. After taking the dog for an early-morning walk and getting everything ready for a cycle out to Roussillon for breakfast, we started to get the bikes out, only to hear …

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Montbrun Les Bains Spa Provence
ExploreJulie WhitmarshVillages Towns and Cities

Montbrun Les Bains it’s Spa Time in Provence

Relaxing in Provence Sometimes it takes me a while to get round to doing something and this week I finally decided I would go and try out the Spa at Montbrun Les Bains. I say finally as our lovely neighbour had mentioned it to me three (3) years ago, just …

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