After nearly 30 years of dreaming we've finally bought our own bit of Provence and spend as much time there as possible. A lover of everything about the area especially the markets, the Brocante hunting & cycling the quiet lanes. Blogging about my favourite things in the area from places to visit, shopping and cycle trips
Looking for more information on the area then the following will be of use : Vaucluse Tourist Information – information on all aspects of visiting the Vaucluse Provence Guide Apt Tourist Office – places to stay, things to do and general info on the area around Apt : OT Apt Luberon Coeur De Provence – … More Local information
Learning French has been key to us finding our feet and settling into our part-time life in Provence and we have found the perfect teacher with Marina, Ecole Franci-Discendum – Learn French in Provence Patient, considerate and passionate about the history and culture of Provence, her lessons have challenged us, but have helped us feel comfortable … More Learn French In Provence
Over the last 12 months Jen and Chris Mallon have totally renovated a beautiful old townhouse (with Roman origins) in the heart of the old town of Apt to create smart and comfortable appartments that are now available to rent via http://www.cent-cinq.fr/en/ and during 2020 you can get a 10% discount on any standard rate … More Luxury town centre appartments in Apt
Situated in the beautiful village of Viens, with a boulangerie, alimentation & restaurant and surrounded by spectacular scenery and of course lavender fields, is this peaceful, eco-friendly cottage. Owned by Pascal and his wife Marina, who runs her own French Language School – Learn French in Provence Perfect for a couple, it’s a lovely … More Eco-friendly cottage Viens
Ever since Andy and I first visited France together on our honeymoon so many years ago, we have always had our bikes with us. Not the sleek road-bikes we have now… … but a real hodge-podge of a collection, from Andy’s well-used commuting road-bike he had had for about 10 years, to heavy old mountain … More Saddlebag of Memories – we have a cycle ride to plan
A few weeks ago, when I was back in the UK and Andy was in France he did a ride that he was particularly excited about. He told me about it and yes it sounded lovely, until he said it was about 110km and had nearly 1500 metres of climbing. At that point I was … More Beyond the Véloroute #14… Sault and back the long way round… On a bit of a mission
I had yesterday planned out in my mind and very lovely it was going to be too…. An early start, with my silver-buying head on, to go to the Deballage (Unwrapping) at Avignon. This is a regular event run for professionals only to buy from dealers and I had finally got the necessary paperwork to … More When the day doesn’t go as planned……
Time is a very strange thing indeed, I have been back in the UK for less than 4 weeks and although the time has flown by, it feels as if I have been away from France for so much longer. I am sure there is some psychological explanation for this, but I wouldn’t have any … More Settling in after a few weeks away…..
Sometimes it takes me a while to get round to doing something and this week I finally decided I would go and try out the Spa at Montbrun Les Bains. I say finally as our lovely neighbour had mentioned it to me 3 years ago, just after we bought the house, saying it was a … More An afternoon at The Thermal Spa in Montbrun Les Bains
Bizarrely we sense and feel the changing seasons more in Provence than we do in Devon. Back in Exeter the proximity to the sea seems to soften the edges of summer as it shifts into autumn and likewise, autumn into winter. That’s not the case here and today it was almost as if someone had … More The sweet shift of summer towards autumn….
Postcards from Provence and beyond 