Contributor blog post by Michel: Friday, July 21, and we were on the road to find a good vantage point to watch the Tour de France near Lauris. As we drove toward the town of Orange to get on the A-7 autoroute, we came upon a huge field of sunflowers. …

The words lavender and Provence are synonymous. Yes, lavender embodies the very essence of Provence. Isn’t it true that when one imagines Provence, it’s fields of lavender as far as the eye can see that come to mind? Sunflowers too? Yet, the lavender season is short. So when can you …

Inspired by her expat experiences in the South of France, Caroline Longstaffe began writing her blog “Shutters and Sunflowers” in 2012. Her stories transport you from the United States to Provence, with the occasional dispatch from the United Kingdom. Longstaffe’s articles, provide readers with well-researched “Travel Tips from an English …

‘The Sunflower Field,’ my debut novel, is written to honor the ‘few’, of which there were thousands, who during World War II, in words inspired by Winston Churchill, “gave so much, for so many.” In particular for three of those ‘few’, the Polish mathematicians, Jerzy Rozycki, Marian Rejewski and Henryk Zygalski, with …

Contributor blog post by Ashley Tinker: Juillet/July Events in Provence 2017 It’s full summer here in Provence. The cigales are singing (quite loudly I must say!) and the sunflowers and lavender are in full bloom. The ballet (or science?) of knowing when to open and close your shutters has been mastered for all …

I am often asked if I could help plan a stay in Lourmarin, so voilà! This itinerary would work from any of the nearby Luberon villages. I’ve planned it around my favourite market days, listed below. But don’t rush around too much. Allow yourself to simply ‘be’ ~ to enjoy …

Last time, I told you about Provence’s first Renaissance château, the Lourmarin Château and promised that next time, we would peek inside. Here, you will find a fascinating, sometimes quite surprising, eclectic collection of treasures, thanks to the legacy of its last private owner, Robert Laurent Vibert, and The Lourmarin …

Contributor blog post by Caroline Longstaffe: The Lourmarin Château lies on the edge of the fairy tale village of Lourmarin, nestled under the gently rolling hills of Provence’s southern Luberon. Visit it to admire its beautiful antiques, discover its fascinating history and enjoy a musical soirée within it ancient walls. …

Contributor blog post by Caroline Longstaffe: When ever I am feeling far away, yearning to be back in the Luberon in Provence, one of my solutions is to watch, yes for the hundredth time, ‘A Good Year.‘ Filmed minutes from Lourmarin, it perfectly encapsulates this stunning region; the alluring natural light, …

Contributor blog post by Caroline Longstaffe: Each season, I say to myself, that this is my favourite…… Winter ~ bundling up in soft woolens, crisp winter mornings; sparkling frost, magical snow flakes. Spring ~ gathering boughs of spring blossoms and filling my home with daffodils. Summer ~ sunflowers and eating …