I am often asked if I could help plan a stay in Lourmarin, so voilà! This itinerary would work from any of the nearby Luberon villages. I’ve planned it around my favourite market days, listed below. But don’t rush around too much. Allow yourself to simply ‘be’ ~ to enjoy …

Last time, I told you about Provence’s first Renaissance château, the Lourmarin Château and promised that next time, we would peek inside. Here, you will find a fascinating, sometimes quite surprising, eclectic collection of treasures, thanks to the legacy of its last private owner, Robert Laurent Vibert, and The Lourmarin …

Contributor blog post by Caroline Longstaffe: The Lourmarin Château lies on the edge of the fairy tale village of Lourmarin, nestled under the gently rolling hills of Provence’s southern Luberon. Visit it to admire its beautiful antiques, discover its fascinating history and enjoy a musical soirée within it ancient walls. …

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: Each season, I say to myself, that this is my favourite…… Winter ~ bundling up in soft woolens, crisp winter mornings; sparkling frost, magical snow flakes. Spring ~ gathering boughs of spring blossoms and filling my home with daffodils. Summer ~ sunflowers and eating …

Just the mention of Provence conjures up images of lavender and sunflowers. Beautiful indeed! But what about the autumn? Is there more to enjoy than just the lavender? Autumn in Provence has an intoxication all of its own. With the crowds have left and the temperatures slightly cooler. Read Cobblestones …

“Provence appeals to so many because the region offers something for everyone. From sea to sky, from mountains to meadows, from history to contemporary, it is an endless canvas.”  Esteemed writer Carolyne Kauser-Abbott’s perspectives about Provence. Visit the stunning city of Aix-en-Provence with her here….. Carolyne is the author of …

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, …

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. …