Caroline Longstaffe Sunflower Field Novel
Books on ProvenceInspire

The Sunflower Field a Novel set in World War II Provence

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 …

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Provence Painting Sessions Duncan Barker Uzes
Artists Inspired by ProvenceInspire

Provence Painting Sessions Capturing the Scenes on Canvas

As a painter in the South of France, you rarely feel alone. There are reminders everywhere of those who have gone before – of Cézanne in the countryside around Aix and of Gauguin and Van Gogh in Arles and Saint-Rémy. But not all these impressions are specific to a place. …

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Benvengudo Hotel Exterior Les Baux
Hotels Provence & Cote d'AzurKeith Van SickleStay: Accommodation & Rentals in Provence

Benvengudo means Welcome to our Hotel in Provencal

Just below the famous hilltop fortress of Les Baux sits the boutique luxury hotel Benvengudo.  The name means “welcome” in the local language and it couldn’t be more appropriate. Walking into the manicured grounds of Benvengudo is like stepping back in time, to a more simple and gracious era.  The …

READ MORE  Benvengudo means Welcome to our Hotel in Provencal
l’Auberge la Fenière Restaurant Dessert
Keith Van SickleRestaurant RecommendationsTaste

At l’Auberge la Fenière Restaurant Gastronomy Meets Gluten-Free

When is the last time you said to yourself, “I could really go for a gluten-free meal”? That would probably be…never.  Who wants bread with the consistency of a hockey puck?  Or pasta that needs a mountain of sauce to make it edible?  And as for cakes and pies – …

READ MORE  At l’Auberge la Fenière Restaurant Gastronomy Meets Gluten-Free
Roussillon, Chateau Canorgue @ShutrsSunflowrs
Caroline LongstaffeExpat Living and Real Estate

Living a ‘A Good Year’ even if it’s not in Provence!

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, …

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Animals in Provence @Vauclusedreamer
Expat Living and Real EstateJulie Whitmarsh

A Funny thing happened on the way to the Supermarket in Provence

Contributor blog post by Vaucluse Dreamer: So often we find ourselves chuckling about the odd things involving animals that we’ve seen over the years whilst in Provence including a horse in a flat cap. A piglet being walked on a lead in Lourmarin. Or the cat at Roussillon who delights in …

READ MORE  A Funny thing happened on the way to the Supermarket in Provence
Visit to Curcuron Luberon @ProvenceTayls
David & Karen TaylorExploreVillages Towns and Cities

Must Do Provence: A visit to Cucuron 

We almost bought a village house in Cucuron… How different life might have been! It’s a charming village, home to about 2000 villagers, on the south side of the Luberon, a short drive to Lourmarin and accessible to Aix en Provence. Tuesday is market day but we prefer when it’s …

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Provencal Lavender by the Chateau in Lourmarin @ShutrsSunflowrs
Caroline LongstaffeExploreVillages Towns and Cities

A video tour of the Provence’s perched villages of the Luberon

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 …

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Lacoste across the vineyards @ShutrsSunflowrs
Caroline LongstaffeExploreVillages Towns and Cities

Lacoste and Ménerbes Two Captivating Luberon Villages

Contributor blog post by Caroline Longstaffe: Continuing our tour of Provence’s beautiful Luberon hillside villages; last time we took the D943 from Lourmarin, through the dramatic gorge to Bonnieux, Lacoste and Ménerbes now await. Lacoste, a tiny, sometimes forgotten perched village has breathtaking views across the sweeping Luberon landscape, Mont Ventoux and Les Alpes. …

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Tour Fenestrelle Uzes @alabreche_annie
ExploreRoad Trips South of France

Seeing the year through in the Midi

Our village, like many in southern France, has a semi-permanent population; one of the first questions asked on being introduced is whether or not we are here all year round. A fairly cosmopolitan atmosphere is enjoyed here, particularly throughout the summer months, evident at the annual 14th July celebrations opposite …

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