Not every day starts with blue skies & sunshine in Provence and Saturday was one of those days! When we woke, the rain was drumming on the roof & the whole place just looked soggy, so any thoughts of a bike ride went out of the window & we quickly decided on Plan B, … More A Saturday hop across the Rhone
This morning I hopped in the car & headed across to Forcalquier, a short distance from us in the neighbouring Department of Alpes-De-Haute-Provence. Monday is its market day and provides the perfect excuse for a visit (if such a thing is needed?) and it is a lovely drive across along the northern flank of the … More Incredible views, a Citadelle & Art at Forcalquier
I always love Sundays in and around the Luberon, whether it’s an early morning start in the summer to head off bargain-hunting at the vide-grenier in a nearby village or a gentle cycle out for breakfast at the wonderful ‘Farmers’ Market’ at Coustellet. In January too there’s plenty to do to keep me busy and today was … More A Winter’s Sunday pottering in Provence
I’ve mentioned before that Winter is a great time to visit Provence – of course it can be very cold, thanks to the clear night skies and subsequent frosts, but the days can be stunning with bright blue skies, little or no breeze and the wonderful light that cheers you up in the depth of … More A colourful circular winter walk
The first snow fell in the Vaucluse yesterday and Mont Ventoux started its shift from being a summer cycling venue to a winter ski resort, bringing with it thoughts of long walks across the hills that are so often out of bounds during the summer due to the fire risk and evenings spent eating rich … More Provence in Autumn is just lovely!
I make no bones about it – I love chocolate & last night sat with a glass of wine & my latest purchase from the wonderful ‘Chocolatier’ La Cour aux Saveurs in L’Isle Sur La Sorgue. http://www.lacourauxsaveurs.fr/ Back in February I was staying there (in the town that is, not the chocolate shop) whilst house … More I’ve found my chocolate heaven in Provence!
If Saturday is a day for the local market then Sunday has become a day to spend the morning pottering around a local Brocante market or village ‘Vide-Greniers’ event. In the summer we often found that we had to make a choice between the local events, all advertised a few weeks beforehand with large signs … More Sunday morning Antiques’ hunting.
I always think it’s a shame that we don’t have the same approach to markets in England as they do in France. As I sit with my first coffee of the day and a ‘pain au chocolat’ in a cafe in Apt the whole town is bustling, full of people and chatter. What is a … More Saturday is market day and I love it!
It’s hard to believe that it’s only 4 weeks since we left the house in Provence & headed back to the UK after a wonderful first summer there. When we left, the days were still hot (well over 30) and the landscape looked parched and bleached after the long dry-spell & even the leaves on … More Soft colours & golden light – Autumn in Provence
For 3 weeks each year everything in our house slows down, the TV is on all afternoon as we all get our annual hit of two of our favourite things – France & cycling. For us the Tour de France is just compulsive viewing, not only is it fantastic to watch, but it’s an incredibly … More Watching the Tour de France on Mont Ventoux – What a day!
Vaucluse Dreamer 