The Good Life

Luxe Provence Southern Rhône Wine Guide
Taste of Provence Gastronomy & Wine The Good Life

Luxe Provence Southern Rhône Wine Guide

Thanksgiving is the American holiday of gratitude and appreciation. It’s a time to honor the abundance of harvest and enjoy traditional foods with family and friends. It’s a nod to lineages and settlers, to those that planted the bounty that is enjoyed on harvest tables around the country. Though the holiday is distinctly American, the essence of the day reflects values practiced around the globe: gratitude, family and gracious mealtimes. Here in Provence, ...

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Lavender at the Plateau de Valensole
French Beauty & Fragrance The Good Life Provence Travel

Lavender at the Plateau de Valensole

We travelled to the Plateau de Valensole to capture and share the magic of lavender season in Provence. This is a must-visit experience for locals and visitors alike. Truly Luxe Provence!   Luxe Provence Plateau de Valensole Photoshoot images: Provence Lavender Field images (2 -4) by: Tarik Koivisto. Tarik Koivisto cover image (1) in the fields by Melanie Jacquier. Venue: Plateau de Valensole taken on July 3, 2016.

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Weekend Escape at The Coquillade
The Good Life Provence Travel

Weekend Escape at The Coquillade

Of course, there's nothing I enjoy more than a beautiful weekend escape in Provence, especially with a group of gorgeous girlfriends.  There are so many stunning and distinctly charming micro-regions in Provence that it is a surprise to many who visit, and even live here. Most recently, we covered highlights from Les Alpilles region of Provence. This time,  I share a glimpse further north to the Luberon between Roussillon and the Colorado de Rustrel, part of ...

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Weekend Escape to Les Alpilles
The Good Life Provence Travel

Weekend Escape to Les Alpilles

Despite living in Provence for over four years now, I never grow tired of exploring and rediscovering the many, authentic and beautiful regions this area has to offer. Inspired by my return visit to the Les Carrières de Lumière last week for the Chagall Opening, I decided it was due time for a new feature on discovering the "Les Alpilles" region. I have since learned there's quite a lot happening at the moment, from ...

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Chagall Arrives in Les Baux March 4
The Good Life Provence Travel

Chagall Arrives in Les Baux March 4

After welcoming over 513,000 visitors for Michelangelo, Leonardo de Vinci and Raphael: The Giants of the Renaissance, the Les Carrières de Lumières in Baux-de-Provence prepares to launch their next ambitious artistic project devoted solely to Marc Chagall (1887 - 1985).  The Chagall exhibit marks the first time a Les Carrières installation is devoted to only one artist and is set to begin March 4, 2016 continuing through January 8, 2017. This is a must-see for visitors and locals alike. Les ...

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Truffle Season in Provence
Taste of Provence The Good Life Provence Travel

Truffle Season in Provence

In a little corner of paradise at Chateau Barbebelle, Rognes there lives a man called Alex who hunts for truffles every year. His humble, rustic house and gardens have been lovingly restored and made beautiful, right down to the gorgeous hand made tiles in his kitchen. The garden is dominated by a giant pig called Jeffrey. Jeffrey is six years old and his first five winters were spent sniffing out truffles and uncovering ...

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Culturespaces, Carrières de Lumières, Nimes
The Good Life Slow Fashion

Culturespaces, Carrières de Lumières, Nimes

Living in France now for over three years, I have had the opportunity to experience the many wonderful historic and cultural sites managed by Culturespaces, from the stunning Carrières de Lumières in Les Baux de Provence, to the incredible roman monuments and Arena of Nimes, Antique Theater of Orange and the latest addition, the Hotel de Caumont in Aix-en-Provence. What is Culturespace? Culturespaces was founded in 1990 by Bruno Monnier, its current chairman.  For 20 years ...

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Degaby Island Escape
The Good Life Provence Travel

Degaby Island Escape

As the spring earth warms, I am dreaming of escaping to the rugged, beautiful private Island of Degaby. It feels so far away, so enchanted and mystical with its rich diverse history, yet it's just minutes away from civilization from the Vieux Port in Marseille. Louis XIV had built a small Fort (completed 1703), referred to as "Fort de Tourville" in honor of Admiral Anne Hilarion of Chouhan of Tourville (1642-1701). Military quickly abandoned it and the island ...

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Famille Sumeire Vignobles of Provence
Taste of Provence Gastronomy & Wine The Good Life

Famille Sumeire Vignobles of Provence

The Sumeire Family has lived in Trets next to the Sainte Victoire since the 13th century. This local winemaking family owns three châteaux in Provence, the region where the first vines were planted in France: Château Maupague, Château Coussin, and Château l'Afrique. We caught up with Annabelle Sumeire recently to visit the property and learn more about the story of their wines including César, which was inspired by local artist, César Baldaccini (1 January 1921 in ...

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Escape Along The Route of the Mimosas
The Incredible Mathieu Lustrerie
The Good Life Slow Fashion

The Incredible Mathieu Lustrerie

What an incredibly luxe day! Beautiful and talented photographer, Carine Demaria, accompanied us at the world-renowned chandelier atelier and museum of Mathieu Lustrerie in Gargas in the Luberon. The atelier, atmosphere and museum collection of chandeliers paired with vintage winning race cars is breathtaking. A stunning mix of classic and modern featuring his world-renowned pieces that have been incorporated into the most prestigious venues around the world, from the Louvre, to Versailles to nearly every ...

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