There’s a new obsession running around in my head: “visit as many of France’s ‘Les Plus Beaux Villages‘ as I possibly can.”  So far, I’ve seen only 10 out of some 156 “authentic” Les Plus Beaux Villages. I have a lot of travelling to do. Les Plus Beaux Villages There …

What’s On? During the summer in Provence and the Côte d’Azur, daytime temperatures range from warm to hot. So, you don’t need an excuse to laze by the pool. At this time of year, the lavender is in bloom and the sunflowers put on a spectacular floral show. From music …

Magical Lavender Spotting a lavender field in flower for the first time is magical, but it’s the fragrance that is heavenly. The tiny plants stretch towards the horizon, like small purple streams. It’s little wonder why you see so many images of people posing against this stunning backdrop. Lavender fields, …

Admittedly, my (old) view of Marseille came from mob and war stories in books, on TV and movies. Now after visiting the city, I’m impressed. To me, Marseille’s story is one of resilience. It shows how perseverance conquers adversity. Marseille’s Story: Prehistory and Ancient Massalia The earliest settlements in the …

Hot Air Ballooning in Provence A couple months ago we were invited on a hot air balloon ride with AeroProvence. I think Tom, the owner, felt obligated with my enthusiastic likes and comments on all his Instagram posts of fields and fields of lavender. Experiencing a ride in a hot …

Just a skip down the road from our holiday rental in Ménerbes, we returned to la Bastide de Marie for the final evening of our yearly trip to Provence. And the meal won for best of the trip, though a couscous and garbanzo dish from an auberge in Brantes was …

Provencal Getaway With long weekends on the horizon, why not plan a short break in Provence? Gather some friends or family and head south for some warm weather, blue skies, gourmet food and sightseeing. Touring Ideas in Provence Late June through August, Provence treats her visitors to flowering lavender and …

By Caroline Longstaffe: Shopping in Lourmarin As we’ve spent increasing amounts of time in Lourmarin we’ve come to know more of the people in the village, all of whom have been warm and welcoming.  Like us, many of them are not originally from the area but similarly captivated by its’ enchantment have …

A Guide to Lavender in Provence You either love lavender or you hate it. The essence is used for insomnia, headaches, to cleanse cuts or insect bites, deter mosquitoes and more. Despite its uses though, there’s no denying that it’s absolutely stunning in the plant form, and oh so iconic …

By Vaucluse Dreamer: Firstly I have to start with an apology – the last few months have been rather chaotic with one thing and another and I find that this really is the first time I’ve been able to sit and write about our little half-life in France for quite …