Living in France – Postcards from Provence and beyond

Only Because We Were Here: A Cancelled Trip, a Château Auction, and A Prized Purchase

June 11, 2026

What began as a disappointment, when our train was cancelled, became an unexpected auction adventure that saw us buying a piece by a favourite artist ( Peter Joyce )in an auction at the nearby Château de la Verdière. With a trip home across the Valensole Plateau, it turns out that this week has been rather better than we imagined

… More Only Because We Were Here: A Cancelled Trip, a Château Auction, and A Prized Purchase

10 years of Spring in Provence

April 26, 2026

Over the last couple of weeks, we’ve happily noticed a decided shift towards the settling down of spring, in Provence. Arriving back, after watching the Paris-Roubaix, we stepped off the TGV at Avignon into a bitterly cold, and fierce Mistral, which stripped the warmth from our bodies and left us shivering, as we waited for … More 10 years of Spring in Provence

It’s good to be home

August 15, 2024

I know we’re only in mid-August, so it’s still the height of summer and it feels as if we should be throwing ourselves into all the events and activities that are planned in the surrounding area, over the next few days. But after a busy last 6 weeks back in Devon, all I want to … More It’s good to be home

Mother’s Day Brocanting

May 26, 2024

Today is the Fête Des Mères (Mother’s Day) in France and further afield. It does feel a much nicer time of year to celebrate than in the UK, where it falls mid-Lent, when it’s inevitably a bit chilly and grey. So today, we made the most of sunny weather and popped out early in Fifi, … More Mother’s Day Brocanting

Ici, Ici, C’est La Provence

May 24, 2024

It would be fair to say that we love rugby. Since getting together in the mid 1980s, Andy and I have always enjoyed watching club matches, and more recently followed and supported the boys on their own rugby adventures too. At first, when we lived in North Wiltshire, we would go to watch Bath play. … More Ici, Ici, C’est La Provence

Let’s talk about the weather..

April 30, 2024

At this time of year, it would be fair to say that normally the weather is settled, calm and generally lovely . By now, we have usually set up the cushions on the old day beds, under the shade of the pergola, and have the parasols on hand, even in the early morning to shade … More Let’s talk about the weather..

Let’s meet in Nice

February 21, 2024

It’s hard to believe that 3 weeks have passed since we had our wonderful little break for my birthday, dashing around some of the cities of France and Italy. It was such a perfect time away, simply Walking, Exploring and spending time together just doing what we enjoy doing most and watching the world pass … More Let’s meet in Nice

Dawn on 2024

January 3, 2024

Join us as we watch the first sunrise of 2024 over The Luberon Valley, and start to think about what awaits us in 2024 and the exciting year ahead … More Dawn on 2024

Planning a wedding in Provence

August 15, 2023

This year has been so full of twists and turns that it sometimes feels as if we have been meeting ourselves coming backwards, just trying to keep on top of it all. That said, we’d rather be busy than have nothing to do, so we really can’t complain, but once again we’re staring autumn in … More Planning a wedding in Provence

All the seasons in a week, in Provence

February 7, 2023

Over the last week, the days have slipped comfortably past, with enough going on to keep me busy, whilst Andy has been away, fitting in lots of chores around the more enjoyable aspects of life here. In many ways, it’s been a bit of a bizarre week, especially when it comes to the weather. Over … More All the seasons in a week, in Provence