Posts Tagged ‘Provence’
Gordes – Provence
I spent the last 2 weeks in France. It was the absolute best time to travel because France opened the borders to the US 2 days earlier. The lavender fields were in full bloom, it was beautiful. Our trip started in Provence (we flew to Paris and took the TGV to Avignon and rented a car. We stayed at the most beautiful Domaine Les Martines, outside of Gordes.
I traveled with my fabulous travel buddy Kate. She, her husband and daughter will be living in France for 8 months. We went to get the house ready for their move in August and of course to just to simply pretend we were French.
STAY
Domaines Les Martines
We stayed at the lovely Domaine Les Martins. I cannot recommend this place enough and I am already dreaming of my next visit. It is a tiny B&B, with only 7 rooms run by David and Regis. Quintessentially French, understated elegance, fab location, exquisite attention to detail and the insane breakfast.
Just down the road, we stumbled upon the most perfect little lavender field, so much fun to be riding through these fields at sunset. We couldn’t stop taking pictures.
84220 Gordes, France | + 33 (0)4 90 72 09 56
www.domainelesmartins.com
EAT
La Citadelle at La Bastide de Gordes
Located in the gorgeous Airelles Gordes Hotel, right in the town of Gordes. We had a beautiful view over the valley from the terrace of the restaurant. While it is an expensive restaurant, it is well worth it. Our food was gorgeous, and the staff were very attentive. Loved the Arrabbiata
Opens at78:15 and you need a reservation.
+33 (0)4 90 72 12 12 | 61 Rue de la Combe, 84220 Gordes
www.airelles.com
La Bastide de Marie
The beautiful property and setting is quintessentially Provence. It is picturesque with a french rustic elegance that makes it ideal for winding down and enjoying the day. This Chateau, which is a boutique hotel is situated in a Vineyard outside of Menerbes. The food was incredible and the staff was absolutely lovely. The menu changes each day and the server will explain the menu (its not written). Schedule your lunch for Thursday and go to the Menerbes market before.
+33 4 90 72 30 20 | 64 Chemin des Peirelles, 84560 Menerbes France
www.labastidedemarie.com
MARKETS
Menerbes Markets - Thursdays
All the markets are fabulous, but this is one of my favorites. The markets wind down around lunch time, so get there on the earlier side. A highlight was the oyster truck where they shucked the oysters right there and served rose. Picked up some nice linen items and of course lavender everything.
Our stay in Provence was way too short but onward to the south, with a stop in the town of L'Isle Sur Le Sorgue for some antiquing. The town is know for its antiques stores and weekend markets, plus waterwheels on the Sorgue river. It made it more fun to be searching for items for the house. We found the perfect little outside table and chairs for the 2 of us to enjoy our meals, rose and the view.
Bonnieux – Provence
Next stop the Luberon, which is considered the heart of Provence. It consists of several villages known as "Les Plus Beaux Villages de France" (the most beautiful villages of France). Gordes, Menerbes, Lourmarin, Bonnieux are all located in the Luberon and worth exploring. We stopped in Lourmarin for lunch and wandering around before headed to Bonnieux where we will spend the next few nights in the most charming AIRBNB. The weather was quite chilly and rainy so the gorgeous fireplace was such a nice treat. You will need to rent a car for this area.
EAT
La Bergerie - outside of Bonnieux
Located on the property of the gorgeous Capelongue hotel, this restaurant is a MUST. Everything is cooked over a wood fire Go before your reservation for an aperitifs and to stroll around the beautiful gardens.
550, Chemin des Cabanes, Les Claparèdes, 84480 Bonnieux France
www.beaumier.com
La Bastide - outside of Bonnieux
This beautiful restaurant is also located on the Capelongue Hotel property. It is their more fancy, Michlin star restaurant. They have a prix fixed menu. We didn't dine here, but I am sure its amazing.
550, Chemin des Cabanes, Les Claparèdes, 84480 Bonnieux France
www.beaumier.com
Casa Bonilis - located in the heart of Bonnieux
This yummy Italian neighborhood restaurant is also located in the center of Bonnieux and a few doors down from our AIRBNB. I think I had dinner here 3 evenings and always the same delicious pesto gnochci! Fun local vibe.
4 place Carnot 84480 Bonnieux, France | +33 4 90 71 18 02
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STAY
We LOVED the modern combined with old aesthetic of this AIRBNB. I highly recommend staying at this very spacious 3-bedroom village house with the most stunning views of the Provence. The fireplace was a highlight for us since it was cold and rainy. There is a tiny pool and 2 levels of balcony's with a beautiful garden terrace, that I imagine would be divine in the summer (note the photo of the terrace and pool are not from our trip).
Link to AIRBNB
This is not the AIRBNB we stayed in, but this one is located right next door and looks equally as beautiful.
AIRBNB Apartment
House Hunting
A main purpose of this trip was to find a home in France for my travel buddy Kate and her family. We sawa lot of really cool and some not so cool places. Its wild how different the Provencal architecture is from just a few hours away on the coast. Below are some of our favorites from Menerbes, Gordes and Oppède. The home in Oppède was straight out of a magazine. The women who owned the home showed it to us and the home along with her were so grande and elegant.
