Every summer the plateaus and hills of Provence are coloured in blue and purple by fields of lavender. The lavender in the Lubéron blooms from around the last week of June to the beginning of August when it is harvested. It is usually at its peak in early July, but this depends on rainfall. Collected […]
France is a country of winemaking tradition and offers unique wines in the world. Why? Terroir! The typical soil, climatic conditions and knowledge of winemakers are what give French wines their originality and excellence – and delivers a variety of wines, even within the same appellation. Provence wines Provence is perhaps not the most renowned […]
If it’s peace and tranquility or a bit of interesting history you’re after, you should visit one of Provence’s three iconic 12th century Cistercian abbeys – Sénanque, Le Thoronet and Silvacane. At the end of the 11th century, monks ruled as lords from more than 1,200 abbeys in Europe, handing out their own justice and […]
Ansouis This is a 1,000-year-old village like most of them locally, with an ancient church and 12th century château (just sold by the De Sabran family after 1,000 years). Perched on a hilltop, Ansouis is full of tiny streets dotted with boutiques and artists’ workshops. As you walk about, you can admire the village square, […]
The Chateau de Lourmarin was the first Renaissance chateau in Provence. It sits atop a hill just outside Lourmarin, dominating the western view of the village. The chateau that is seen today reflects two separate periods of construction. In the 15th century, in the later part of the Renaissance, Lord Foulques d’Agoult began building on […]
There are literally thousands of books about Provence: guide books, armchair travel companions, historic overviews, culture, food, wine … not to mention the novels and “expat” stories set in Provence. So where does one start? Well, we’ve read lots of them; some are simply marvellous (thanks, Peter Mayle for making it an impossible act to […]
Markets of Provence
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Market day is not just a time to buy what you need, it is also a time to observe this most French of rituals, when some of the stereotypes come alive. Whether you’re shopping for real or simply strolling through, the markets of Provence are a fantastic outing. They’re as popular with locals as with […]
Vincent van Gogh
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Attracted by the unique light, artist Vincent van Gogh created arguably his most beautiful paintings in Provence. But did you know that there is currently not a single painting of his currently permanently located here? Self portrait, Vincent van Gogh Vincent van Gogh museum near St Remy Saint-Paul-de-Mausole asylum in St-Rémy-de-Provence Vincent van Gogh was a […]
Lourmarin continues to draw writers and artists who, like those before them, find creative inspiration here. According to Insight Guides, the town’s cultural influence has few rivals in the entire Vaucluse, as evidenced by a long line of interesting residents. Robert Laurent-Vibert, patron of the Lourmarin Chateau and a keen supporter of the arts, invited Henri Bosco (1888-1976) to […]
Our Top 10 days out
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There is so much to see and do in the Vaucluse (and further afield in Provence) that if you spent 10 years here you’d still find something different and new to do each week. But since your time here is limited, we’ve put together a must-see list for you. Don’t worry, even if you manage […]