Carnaval de Nice French Riviera Cote d'Azur
ExploreJulie WhitmarshVillages Towns and Cities

The Cote d’Azur is Riot of Colour at Carnaval de Nice

In February, there is an explosion of colour along the Cote D’Azur when the hillsides are fringed with yellow from the bright flowers of the Mimosa trees and the citrus fruits glow orange and yellow against the dark green leaves– it’s as if the plants are reminding us of the …

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Menton Fête Du Citron Bollywood Theme 2018
ExploreJulie WhitmarshVillages Towns and Cities

Menton Fête Du Citron Where Bollywood Meets Citrus in France

Thinking back now, the end of February wasn’t really the best choice for our wedding – it was a cold, wet and ultimately snowy day (although wonderful of course) – and for the last 28 years, we haven’t really had a long list of ways to celebrate –until now that …

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Walking Mur de la Peste Cabrières D’Avignon @VaucluseDreamer
ExploreJulie WhitmarshStay Fit

Walking Along the Mur de la Peste from Cabrières D’Avignon in the Luberon

Contributor blog post by Vaucluse Dreamer: Heading back from L’Isle Sur La Sorgue market this week I thought I’d take the opportunity to stop at Cabrières D’Avignon and seek out a walk that I had heard about that follows some of the Mur de La Peste. The Mur de la Peste, …

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Luberon Dog Walk Abbaye de Senanque Gordes @Vauclusedreamer
ExploreJulie WhitmarshStay Fit

Luberon Dog Walk from the Abbaye de Senanque to Gordes

Having Millie, our Golden Retriever, with us in France this Winter has been lovely. Not only is it nice to have her company about the house, but it’s also meant that we have taken her on some delightful walks. Many are well-trodden routes that we have got to know well …

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Mourre Nègre Hiking Luberon @VaucluseDreamer
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The Views from the Mourre Nègre are worth the Hike to the Top

One of the first things I fell in love with when I viewed the house for the first time was the kitchen window’s view. The Luberon Valley spread out in front of us with the constant sight of the tower on the highpoint of the Mourre Nègre directly ahead, even …

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Eurostar TGV London Provence TGV EuroStar @VaucluseDreamer
ExploreJulie Whitmarsh

Take the Eurostar TGV Trip from Exeter to Avignon 4 cities in a Day

Contributor blog post by Vaucluse Dreamer: There’s something about travelling that is always a joy. Over the years we’ve come to enjoy the process of getting somewhere almost as much as the actual arrival. Even the 16hr solo drive that Andy tends to do has been much improved with Audible …

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Cycling Mont Ventoux Gorges de la Nesque
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Cycling Mont Ventoux and the Gorges de la Nesque in Provence

I can honestly say that cycling in Provence is always a delight, but sometimes we do a new ride that just makes my heart sing & leaves me feeling as if I’m grinning ‘from the inside out and that’s just how I felt after doing this route earlier this week. …

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February Provence @VaucluseDreamer
Expat Living and Real EstateJulie WhitmarshLiving in Provence

February sun in Provence Coming out of Hibernation

Since arriving back in the UK after Christmas it seems that it hasn’t stopped raining and most days we appear to have moved directly from dawn to dusk with what appears to be no actual sunlight in between. It just hasn’t got light and to be honest it’s felt as …

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Morning Walk Lagnes to Sorgue @vauclusedreamer
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A Morning’s Walk – from Lagnes to the source of the Sorgue

As I mentioned in my last couple of blogs we’ve really enjoyed exploring the area on foot this Winter and in turn, it has meant we’ve had a very happy dog! We have managed to discover some new walks, but have also enjoyed treading well-worn paths, like this one that …

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Hiking Viens @Vauclusedreamer
ExploreJulie WhitmarshStay Fit

Hiking and Hunting for Rhinos near Viens

One of the things we love about Provence is its wonderful wildlife and recently we’ve been lucky enough to watch ‘Sangliers’ foraging at the side of the road…….. Please excuse my photography! And have seen Vultures flying off the Petit Luberon and near Sault, but when it was suggested that …

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