Paradise in Provence

We have always wanted to return to Provence and soak up a little more of the Luberon sunshine and countryside. We really lucked out when we found a home that made us feel like we were staying in a resort. Our hosts Alain and Veronique own a beautiful little corner of heaven in the Luberon valley and we savoured every minute of our stay there.

The beauty of this area is the hilltop towns where everything is either up or down and time seems to have stood still as you wander through. We had to return to the cliffside terraces of Gordes and the ochre coloured buildings of Roussillon but really enjoyed discovering the delights of Menerbes, La Coste, Bonnieux, Boux, and Oppede de Vieux. First of all they are so impressive when seen in the distance hanging onto the crest of a hill. Then you drive up to the hilltop and discover a very old, quaint town just waiting to be walked through.

We enjoyed getting to know our neighbourhood from the very helpful lady at the Post Office to the market vendor who showed me how to tie my new birthday scarf in a unique French way. The local market was full of interesting stalls while the Sunday market extravaganza in L' Isle-Sur-La-Sorgue was eye-popping with everything you could possibly imagine being sold along the riverfront and through the narrow streets.

I enjoyed celebrating my birthday in the sunshine of Provence and what made it even more special was being invited to Audrey and Marie Garcias's home for supper on that day. Five years ago they had hosted us at their Airbnb on the outskirts of Avignon. We had stayed in touch and she invited us over for a wonderful evening of delicious food and conversation (our French wasn't nearly as good as her English). The world is a smaller place when you have friends in different places.

Provence is very touristy and yet, in the middle of it all, people are going about their every day lives working in the vineyards, picking olives, playing boules (bocce ball), and enjoying endless cups of coffee in their local cafe. That's what gives it such a special charm and keeps luring us back.