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 French study program, the wealthy …

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 a contained bird zoo. Instead, …

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. Happily, I found the region …

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 des Alpilles—comprising tons of trails—at …

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 wanted to involve me and …

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 Gayle points out, there is …

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 Smith Padgett. Mother Nature adores …

Lourmarin Self-Catered Rental Apartments

Les Olivettes, once a Provencal farmhouse in the Luberon, has 4 spacious rental apartments only a 4-minute walk from the centre of Lourmarin.

Luberon
Vaucluse
One Bedroom

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Eygalières Hotel: Domaine La Pierre Blanche

The moment you drive through the front gate, you enter the embrace of this exclusive 15-room boutique hotel located minutes from Eygalières.

Alpilles
Boutique Hotels

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Seaside 2-Bedroom Apartment in Villefranche

A sunny waterfront apartment with panoramic views, Plage Privée, is on the top floor of a 1950s art deco building by the beach.

Côte d’Azur (French Riviera)
Two Bedrooms

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Malaucène: Charming B&B and Guest Cottage

Bed and Breakfast with 5 bedrooms and a private cottage is located just a few minutes from Vaison La Romaine.

Vaucluse
Bed and Breakfast

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5-Bedroom Country House Near Apt

Chez Manon is a private countryside location that is large enough for family gatherings and a relaxing place to unwind and explore Provence.

Luberon
Vaucluse
Five Bedrooms

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Provence Marketplace

Garden Kit a Gift for the Gardener

My French Country Home has created a limited edition collection for those who love gardening. The kit includes a gardening bag, 2 notebooks, hand cream, a candle and an antique flower frog. All the items are sourced in France.

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Spring Menu Collection

Spring recipes from Provence is organized by course, from starters to desserts. We have featured menus crafted by our favourite food enthusiasts who have shared our love for Provence for several years. This spring recipe collection brings many of those delicious dishes together in one place. These menus, spanning multiple courses, are a testament to their connection with the region and the use of seasonal ingredients.

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Large White Cotton Market Bag

Produced by Tampico these bags are made in southern France. My French Country Home chose this bag made from pure cotton with round handles stitched in genuine leather. It is a tote is perfectly suited for your shopping or alternatively as a weekend getaway bag. Dimensions: 63 x 29 x 30 cm (24.8×11.4×11.8″)

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Liquid Shower Soap from Provence

Imagine a typical Provencal relaxed lunch with chilled rosé under the arbour. These Rose et Marius liquid shower soaps are paraben-free. Made with olive oil from Provence and exclusive fragrances created in Grasse. Find these refillable soaps in beautiful 5* hotels, top-quality restaurants, or your home.

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Jacquard Cotton Tea Towels

Made with 100% jacquard cotton these tea towels from Remember Provence are ideal for the kitchen and as gifts. Made in Provence they are very absorbent with a sufficiently thick fabric but are quick-drying. This version has a playful sardine pattern.

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French Porcelain Dessert Plates

Founded in 1948, La Maison Degrenne is focused on "art de la table," these delicate porcelain dessert plates are a perfect example. Sold as a set of 4 plates by My French Country Home Box, they represent the seasons; cherries for spring, sweet peach for summer, a ripe fig for autumn, and a vibrant lemon for winter.

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Beeswax Candles in a Traditional Pillar Shape

Handcrafted in Apis Cera's workshop in Provence, Ambroise is a 100% pure beeswax candle pillar produced in a custom mold. A cylindar-shaped candle gets it's name from Saint Ambrose (c. 340 – 397), the archbishop of Milan, who was the protector of beekeepers. Sold in a set of two (2) candles they burn for approximately 36 hours.

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Naturally Beautiful Beeswax Candle

Some things start at the beginning and one example is Origine a gorgeous 100% beeswax candle that is shaped like a behive. Produced in the Apis Cera atelier in Provence this candle burns for approximately 100 hours. Beautiful designed this handcrafted candle is made with 100% pure beeswax and has a cotton wick.

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Scented Mini Candle Box Sets

Rose et Marius offers box sets with three (3) mini candles. These candle collections include signature fragrances such as "siesta in a sunlit home" and "early morning in the orange grove." These mini candles burn for approximately 25 hours in pretty glass containers.

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Download Our Summer Menu Collection

Gayle Padgett

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

A Great Place to See Flocks of Flamingos in Provence

A Visit to Mougins and 5 Things To Do

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

Learning About St Rémy History Lessons

French Riviera Many Reasons to Visit Menton

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

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