Friday, July 15, 2011

Dreaming of Provence


Yes, my homes are in London and Texas, but it's truly France that has my ♥. Ever since I dreamed of far away places in my junior high French class while learning my colors and fruits, I've had a passion for this beautiful country. So it's no surprise that every chance we get, we head that direction.

This time we took the Eurostar from London to Paris, and then the TGV, France's speed train to Avignon in the south of France, where we rented a car and struck off for our French home for the week.


We finally arrived at Les Olivettes, a bastide or farmhouse  which has been converted into a guest house with 5 cute Provençal apartments. You can read more of the details here.


Take a peek as we go inside


where you'll see the common gathering area we shared with a family from the States and another family from Brazil. Each of us had our own apartments with a sitting area, bath, kitchen and bedroom.
Wouldn't it be fun for a group of us to go back and rent out the whole place just for ourselves?


The farmhouse is situated just outside of the delightful village of Lourmarin, which was a 5 minute walk away. The views from the house of the village


and of the chateau there at Lourmarin almost made you never want to leave the house to venture any further. 


Surrounding the house were lovely lavender filled gardens


accented with bright flowers


and surrounded by trees.


We often had our breakfast or our dinner out on the terrace looking over the Luberon valley, where the air was its freshest and we could hear the harmony of the cicadas.


Before leaving, we bought some olive oil from our hosts, Joseph and Elizabeth DeLiso, that had been pressed from trees on the property. Joseph and Elizabeth were so helpful to all of their guests as we'd make our plans each day. Their home was just minutes away in the village.


The pool was so inviting, it was hard to leave it behind each morning as we would strike out on the day's adventure.


Come evening,


the sunsets took your breath away


with promise of a new day and more adventures ahead.


Each morning, we would find a bread basket just outside our doors--a kick-off and sustenance for the day ahead. First adventure on our list, the town of Isle-sur-la-Sorgue on a market day.

I can't wait to share photos and stories from there as well as the other towns we explored while on our Provence get-away. Hope you'll come back for the tour!

10 comments:

  1. That is a beautiful place, I will put that on my wish list for next year! :) Happy weekend, Debi! xxoo

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  2. Oh, Debi! It's nothing short of perfection!! Love every detail – thank you so much for sharing. We nearly went to Provence but time constraints made us decide to stay in Picardy and Normandy. We loved our time there so much but your post gives me a taste of the Luberon, too. – g

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  3. Debi, idyllic is all I can say. What a wonderful husband you have to do all these great things with you & family. I didn't get a chance to comment on the baths in Budapest (I would never have had the nerve to get in)& I think you guys do the best things ever. Big xx's

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  4. That's where I would want to go too, Deb if I were in your shoes! (drippingly envious, I am NOT!!)
    Those shots look right out of a magazine! It looks to be everything I imagine. What a marvelous time you must be having...wow!

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  5. Deb I came by here earlier but could not leave a comment and I enjoyed this post so much I had to come back before I turn in.. haha Hopefully I can dream of this gorgeous place tonight.
    So must put this on my Bucket list of places to see.
    Like I mentioned earlier I so want to be Deb. lol
    Love ya
    Maggie

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  6. People do live in such beatiful and charming places!...

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  7. With every post you're helping me better appreciate your love for this country. I hope you've bought some frames for these pictures of you and Mike!

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  8. Count me in on going back to rent the entire house! Lovely, just lovely!

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  9. Dreaming of Provence transports me to a tranquil realm of lavender fields and sun-kissed landscapes. Seasons Of Slayer The sensory symphony of vibrant colors and delicate aromas in this idyllic French region dances within my imagination, offering an ephemeral escape that lingers long after I wake.

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