Lunch at La Ferme Chapouton We have made several visits to the village of Grignan in the Drôme Provençale, an area that falls between the Rhône River and the Alps north of the Vaucluse. A few weeks ago with friends Steve and Mary, we decided to go to Grignan, to try …

The Papal City Avignon is 40 km southwest of Sablet, snuggled inside ancient walls along the Rhône River. The largest town in the Vaucluse, Avignon is very old, full of history, art, music and activity. I can spend hours wandering the narrow streets inside the fortified walls without getting bored. …

Gayle Padgett and her husband Ralph maintained a long-distance relationship with Provence for two decades. They often travelled to the South of France during their vacation from US government jobs in Germany. As their retirement years approached, the “Where are we going to live?” question loomed. The couple chose a …

After living in nine countries, Phoebe Thomas considers herself a career expat, “Where I was born doesn’t help clarify anything, it just complicates things! Born in Paris but moved when two weeks old so not exactly a Parisienne! Pure coincidence that I’m now married to a Frenchman and living in …

Cassis is a picturesque town a little over 90 minutes from Sablet snuggled at the bottom of a steep bowl of land along the Mediterranean Sea between calanques (small coastal fjords with tall cliffs), about 25 km east of Marseille. Picture Perfect Setting The village of Cassis is set on …

Reasons to Visit Aups: A Beautiful Location Located between the Mediterranean coast and the Alps, the village of Aups is at an elevation of 505 metres (1,657 ft). Considered as the capital of the Haut Var, this mid-sized town has a population of roughly 2200 residents. However, on a busy …

Popes and Red Wine Villages in Provence’s Rhone Valley In my view, there is no better place to begin this wine village itinerary than historic Avignon. The city was once the seat of the Catholic Church and home of several Popes during the Middle Ages. I have chosen seven of …

Provence is a classic travel destination and a never-ending source of inspiration and relaxation. But why do people choose to visit Provence? First of all, because of those winding streets, decorated with greenery and flowers. Secondly, because of its incredible climate – all pictures of Provence towns look amazing due …

Don’t Argue with a King Aigues Mortes (Eaux Mortes or Dead Waters) is where King Louis IX chose to build a fortified presence in 1240. However, King Louis IX was not the first to construct near this marshland. Charlemagne beat him to it many years before when he had the …

Hilltop Village La Cadière-d’Azur is a small medieval village perched on the edge of a cliff on the hill across from Le Castellet in the south-west of the Var region. After we finished our walk-about Le Castellet, we decided that since we were in the area, we should cross the valley …