Just outside the village of Menerbes lies an 18th-century residence nestled among 57 acres of vines, surrounded by cypress and olive trees, and scented with rosemary and lavender bushes all around. La Bastide de Marie is an intimate, luxury farmhouse—a Provençal oasis in the Luberon to be discovered. Read Cobblestones …

Contributor blog post by Michel: We frequently take day trips from Sablet to explore the hilltop villages of the Luberon. To get there, we drive down the D4, a scenic route that takes you across Carpentras before it becomes a narrow winding road flanked by cherry orchards until it passes below …

For years, I came to Nice every chance I got. It wasn’t just for its luminescence, warm sunshine and beautiful landscape. It was her flavors: delectable, often surprising, and always memorable. And the people who made my favorite dishes: full of soul and personality, their passion infusing every bite. Now …

As I have told you previously, we were in Sablet last fall with our Michigan friends Steve and Mary. The wines of Cairanne have recently been elevated to cru status—placing them in the same category as those of Gigondas and Châteauneuf-du-Pape (though they cost far less). Our friends had not …

The truth is it doesn’t cost much to eat like a king in France. Though there are many Michelin-starred restaurants and fantastic dining experiences to be had, often it’s the simple café and bistro food that’s the best. The scrumptious buttery omelettes, the quiche, the crêpes, the freshest of salads—of …

It’s been a while since we’ve visited La Table des Saisons, so we were happy on a recent visit to find the same high standards of quality that this young couple has insisted on since week one back in December 2013. The chef is Lionel who has 20 years’ experience …

We have been to Grignan in the Drôme Provençale several times, an area that falls between the Rhône River and the Alps north of the Vaucluse. So when we were in Sablet last fall with friends Steve and Mary, we took a day trip to Grignan and ate lunch at …

Contributor blog post by Michel: One of our favorite villages near Sablet is Villedieu, a small village (population 514) built on a hill overlooking vineyards, olive groves and pine trees near the Eygues River on the border of the Drôme Provençale. Villedieu is located about 7 1/2 miles northwest of Sablet …

One day while taking a walk up the very steep road behind Bonnieux, I saw signs for la Bastide de Capelongue and Édouard Loubet, Relais and Châteaux. Curious, I kept walking. I continued up past the village and onto a side road. I soon came to the grounds of a …

If only the authors of guidebooks who drool over Provencal markets with such glowing, romantic prose could witness the scene today! The few brave traders in the Cours Mirabeau were packing up by 11, such was the wind; but this unlucky one didn’t strike camp fast enough. Estate agents’ publicity …