War Memorial Provence Vaucluse
ExploreJulie WhitmarshProvencal History & Traditions

A War Memorial amongst the Lavender Fields in the Vaucluse

Contributor blog post by Vaucluse Dreamer: Back in the Summer we spent some time exploring the pretty village of Simiane-La-Rotonde, a few miles away from us in the neighbouring Department of Alpes de Haute Provence. Whilst we were there we noticed the names of five (5) English Airmen had been added …

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Dog's Life Provence
Julie Whitmarsh

It’s a Dog’s Life in Provence this Christmas

Contributor blog post by Vaucluse Dreamer: What a year it’s been, it seems to have whistled past faster than ever and I can hardly believe that we’re about to spend our second Christmas in our little place in Provence. The house is still far from where we would like it …

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Lourmarin Market Fridays Luberon
Julie WhitmarshMarkets in Provence and Cote d'AzurTaste

Enjoy The fantastic Friday Market at Lourmarin

As you know I’m a real sucker for the local markets and can happily spend a whole week visiting them in turn, sitting in a café having a ‘grand-crème’ whilst watching the world go by and heading home with a basket full of the wonderful local produce, perhaps with a …

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Legend Roussillon Ochre Cliffs Luberon
ExploreJulie WhitmarshVillages Towns and Cities

The Legend of Roussillon – a tale of illicit love and a tragic end! 

Yesterday morning I cycled up to Roussillon for the weekly market and to sit on the wall enjoying the view and the vivid colours of the Ochre cliffs that define the village. When I arrived it was lovely & quiet and I popped into the boulangerie to buy breakfast, where …

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Simiane La Rotonde Cycle
ExploreJulie WhitmarshStay FitVillages Towns and Cities

Stepping back in time in the Village of Simiane La Rotonde 

Over the summer one of our favourite cycle rides took us to the delightful boulangerie at Simiane-La-Rotonde, just across the border from us towards Banon in the neighbouring Department of Alpes de Haute Provence. The boulangerie itself is worth the hour-long uphill cycle, but it’s not the only attraction as …

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Provence Expat Life Whitmarsh Family
Expat Living and Real EstateJulie WhitmarshLiving in Provence

Provence Expat Life: When Does a Holiday Stop and Life Begin? 

Contributor blog post by Vaucluse Dreamer: So that’s it – I’m back in the UK after another long summer at our little place in Provence – Andy’s staying on for another couple of weeks, as he came out after me and we always want to use the house as much as …

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Favourite Breakfast Spots Biking
ExploreJulie WhitmarshStay Fit

Biking to our Favourite Breakfast Spots in the Vaucluse

Over the last 3 weeks, Andy and I have covered nearly 2000 kilometres & climbed nearly 26 kilometres between us on our bikes. That’s not through us setting out to do anything particularly, and it certainly hasn’t resulted from us setting ourselves a target, but simply because we like to …

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Antiques Art You L'Isle sur la Sorgue
InspireJulie WhitmarshShopping & Gifts

From Silver to Shrek – Antiques Art and You in L’Isle sur La Sorgue

I can’t help it – I love any opportunity to fuddle around an Antiques & Brocante market in France and the Antiques Art and You Festival over the August Bank Holiday weekend. It takes place in L’Isle Sur La Sorgue, and it’s now becoming a fixture in our Summer calendar. …

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Lavender fields Active Provence
ExploreJulie WhitmarshStay Fit

Discover a Range of Activities for Active Provence Holidays

Contributor blog post by Vaucluse Dreamer: Over the years I’ve wished (many times) that we could just chill out and effectively lie by a pool and relax for a holiday. But to be honest despite our best efforts we’ve found it’s just not for us and that after a hard …

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Villeneuve-Lès-Avignon Brocante Silver Provence
InspireJulie WhitmarshShopping & Gifts

Exploring the Villeneuve-Lès-Avignon Brocante for Silver and an antique Musket

Last weekend we decided to potter off to enjoy a couple of brocante markets and vide grenier events being held in the area. The last time we’d gone to one we’d found a wonderful French Military History chart for our youngest, Tom, who’s passionate about history, so he too thought …

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