My travels to Provence were quite unexpected. During a week-long stay in Paris, I lunched with a lifelong friend who asked, “What are you doing next week? We’re heading down to our house in Provence, and we would love for you to join us.”
Within minutes, I texted my boss, extended my PTO, and booked a ticket. I always loved Provence, but now I am in love with Provence. Upon arrival at their beautiful home, my “trip” to Paris turned into a “vacation” in the bucolic French countryside.
As you may know, each region of France is divided into several departments. This is similar to the US where states are divided into counties. There are 18 regions and 96 departments in mainland France. Very often departments have unique characteristics that you’ll come to know, such as the local flower, a specialty food or wine, or the color of the shutters on the homes. I am sharing this bit of information with you because it actually comes into play when I plan my travels. I tend to first choose a region and then choose a department to explore in-depth. I also like to set aside time on my agenda for relaxation and essentially doing nothing. On this excursion, the region was Provence-Alpes-Côte d’Azur and the department was Vaucluse.
Where we stayed
I had the good fortune to stay with friends in their private home. They purchased this absolutely beautiful property many years ago and have done extensive renovations. The house has every modern amenity anyone could desire, along with every charming element typical of the region. There are several en-suite bedrooms, separate living quarters for staff, a pool, a volleyball court, a pétanque court, spectacular views, and a natural spring.
That said, there are numerous options throughout the region. And, while I don’t have personal experience with them, I would check out my go-to site Relais & Chateaux, which always delivers luxury experiences emblematic of the regions it serves.
Where we explored
I took the TGV from Gare de Lyon, Paris to Avignon. I spent the first couple of days with my host and other longtime friends and visitors. It was so nice to unplug, take meals together, and catch up on our lives. I spent the next few days visiting small villages – sometimes with friends and sometimes on my own. Those who know me best, know that I love solo travel. I can go wherever the wind blows me and not worry about inconveniencing anyone else. Also, I’m a bit of a loner and love my alone time. My drive took me to Gordes, Apt, Lourmarin, Bonnieux, and Ménerbes. Ménerbes, by the way, was made famous by Peter Mayle’s book A Year in Provence. I think the locals are still recovering from Mayle’s success.
Traffic was minimal and the roads were easy to navigate. Each village was as beautiful as the next, and I would happily return to any of them. My entire drive time was less than four hours, including to and from Avignon. “They” say a photo is worth a thousand words. So, I’ll stop there.
Where we ate
While we ate at casual restaurants along the way, I believe our best meals were taken at home. The ambiance, authenticity of our surroundings, and relaxed atmosphere was perfect. Plus, daily trips to the local market made dining-in easy and stress free. Breakfast every morning at eight o’clock was my favorite meal. There was just a certain excitement about the conversation…how well we slept, where we were going, what we were doing that day, and what we hoped to accomplish. It was all so positive and fun.
If you have not been to Provence, I cannot recommend it more strongly. It is everything its reputed to be, but so much better than you could imagine.
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