Le moulin de Pallières official photo
Carolyne Kauser-AbbottInspireProvencal History & Traditions

The Pallières Windmill in Pennes-Mirabeau Back to Milling Flour

Named after a rocky outcrop in Pennes-Mirabeau, the 18th-century Pallières windmill stopped working sometime between 1862-66. Finally, after a lengthy restoration project commencing in 2019, the mill is functioning and open for visitors. Once again, sitting on its rocky ledge, the Pallières windmill has operational blades and a dedicated miller …

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Orgon Notre Dame de Beauregard Alpilles
Carolyne Kauser-AbbottExploreVillages Towns and Cities

Discover These Authentic Alpilles Villages

Within the Parc Naturel Régional des Alpilles are several villages, each with a distinctive character. Authentic Alpilles Villages Below, we highlight a few towns that are not typically on visitors’ itineraries. These villages have as much history and charm as their popular neighbours. But perhaps with some additional authenticity as …

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AOP Les Baux de Provence Wines of Provence
Carolyne Kauser-AbbottTasteWines and Spirits of Provence

Exploring the Vineyards of the Alpilles in Provence

The Stunning Alpilles The landscape of the Alpilles is not exactly the land of milk and honey but rather a harsh alpine climate that supports the growth of grapes and olives. Known as the Alpilles (small Alps), this 30km band of jagged limestone cliffs and scrub brush is a protected …

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Alpilles Hiking Tips Deux Trous

Guide to the Villages of the Alpilles

Beautiful Alpilles Established in 2007, the Parc Naturel Régional des Alpilles covers the mountain range and its flanks. As a protected natural area, there are restrictions on construction and park usage. However, the artifacts from human settlements discovered in these hills date back to the Neolithic era, and the range …

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Margareth & Moi
Carolyne Kauser-AbbottInspireShopping & Gifts

Arles Welcomes French Fashion Brand Margareth & Moi

Arles is THE place to be this summer for culture, photography, and now high-end fashion brand Margareth & Moi newest boutique at 5, rue des Arènes. It’s hard to know where to start in Arles, but these should all be on your must-see list. The Frank Gehry designed LUMA tower …

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Ashley TinkerStay: Accommodation & Rentals in Provence

Bells, Shutters and Stone Traditional Architecture in Provence

Church Bells of Bonnieux Recently, we stayed in the hilltop village of Bonnieux in Provence’s Luberon where we were treated to a singular sensory experience. We reached out to Vincent Gils, the only carillonneur (bell-ringer) left in the Vaucluse area and one of few left in France. Vincent’s father, Bernard, …

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Camping St Remy Views
Paul ShawcrossStay: Accommodation & Rentals in Provence

Camping in St Remy at Mas de Nicolas

Camping in Provence Like most French regions, Provence lends itself to camping and the outdoor life, especially with its wall to wall sunshine, blue skies and healthy Mediterranean cuisine. A quick Google search will show a great variety of sites in every part of the Region, especially near the coast, …

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Ansouis Village Luberon
Carolyne Kauser-AbbottExploreVillages Towns and Cities

Ansouis Village is a Charming Must in the Luberon

The Gift of a Town Perched on a hillside with its back to the Mistral wind, Ansouis is a gem of a village in the Luberon that definitely earns its status as one of the Les Plus Beaux Villages de France. With its tiny laneways, houses built into ancient ramparts, …

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Provence Family Vacation Alpilles
Carolyne Kauser-AbbottExplore

Provence Family Vacation Ideas for Holidays with Kids in the Alpilles

Family Vacation in Provence Those iconic images of rows of lavender, fields of sunflowers and bright red poppies, Roman ruins and cobblestone villages are actual landscapes of Provence, but unlikely to interest your children for an extended period. Whenever friends visit the Alpilles with their families, it has been our …

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Lavoirs Provence Laundry Seguret
Carolyne Kauser-AbbottInspireProvencal History & Traditions

Airing Your Dirty Laundry, the Lavoirs of Provence the Place for Washing and Gossip

Kneeling on a garde genoux (wooden knee protector) by the edge of the public wash basin, local peasant-class women exchanged tidbits of town gossip as they worked tirelessly to brighten their laundry. Their weathered hands vigorously scrubbed away at stubborn stains as water sloshed against the shallow stone sides of the village lavoir in …

READ MORE  Airing Your Dirty Laundry, the Lavoirs of Provence the Place for Washing and Gossip