It’s a toss-up between coquelicots (red poppies) and lavender, but probably no other scent or sight says Provence better than the pungent aroma of a purple field of lavender growing in mounded rows under a brilliant blue summer sky. We were lucky that it was the lavender season when we …

Just outside the village of Menerbes lies an 18th-century residence nestled among 57 acres of vines, surrounded by cypress and olive trees, and scented with rosemary and lavender bushes all around. La Bastide de Marie is an intimate, luxury farmhouse—a Provençal oasis in the Luberon to be discovered. Read Cobblestones …

I love exploring Provence in the winter. It’s quiet and you can linger in the streets of small towns to appreciate the little details such as potted plants adorably shoved onto windowsills. Or, the particular stunning shade of peach on a weather-beaten shutter. Provencal Weather in Winter: People often ask …

Contributor blog post by Caroline Longstaff: Explore the picturesque ‘villages-perchés’ of Provence’s stunning Luberon Valley. Starting in Lourmarin, join this video tour through this breathtakingly beautiful countryside. Meander through the vineyards, olive groves and fruit orchards and discover the charms of these captivating historical villages (and these are just some …

Contributor blog post by Caroline Longstaffe: Last time on our tour of the Luberon’s perched villages we visited Lacoste and Ménerbes, maybe you missed our next two stops? The mystical ghost town, Oppède-le-Vieux and Gordes, perhaps the Luberon’s most magnificent perched village. From Gordes, the next stop has to be L’Abbaye Notre-Dame de Sénanque, …

Martine Bertin-Peterson is intrepid; she had a window of 90 minutes of “downtime” between her back-to-back tour groups, yet she agreed to meet me for a glass of rosé. Beneath the walls of the immense Palais des Papes in Avignon, we chatted about her food and wine excursions in Provence. …

Author and possibilitarian Patricia Sands never ceases to amaze me. She is on the cusp of publishing the third book in her “Love In Provence” series I Promise You This ~ is available May 17th. Here, is a little temptation to order your copy. “With sunlit backdrops and plot twists as …

I’m a real Francophile and have stayed in more than one hundred towns, cities, villages and hamlets in France. Twenty-two of these have been in Provence, the shortest for one night, the longest for four months. Every time I plan a trip to Provence, the dilemma is where to choose… …

Recently, we introduced you to Shutters and Sunflowers, a blog about the Provencal landscape and many other things that inspire Caroline Longstaffe to write. Please read the full story here. The Longstaffe family lived in Provence for about 18 months in 2012-13 and were smitten. We asked Caroline if she …

The Perreal hill is on the west side of Saint Saturnin Les Apt and the walk gives spectacular views in all directions. From our house, we walk the 800 metres to the village and then continue straight across opposite the bar du Platane. At the end of the road, turn …