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 …
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 …
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. …
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. …
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 …
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 …
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 – …
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 – …
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, …
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, …
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 …
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 …
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 …
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 …
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 …
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 …
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. …
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. …
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 …
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 …