Tag: South of France

26May

Janet de Botton House in Provence

I have posted bits and pieces of Janet de Botton’s house in Provence before, but I think it’s time to post the entire home. The estate located in Les Baux with great views over Les Baux’s barren was published in Vogue a few years back. Janet de Botton and her late husband Gilbert enlisted French decorator and landscape designer Jean-Louis Raynaud and his American partner Kenyon Kramer to create an elegant and sophisticated home with amazing gardens.

The home style is an exercise in restraint and elegance. Although every room is perfect as they are, today I would however update certain areas to make it more relevant. The magnificent gardens on the other hand, I would not alter. The expansive gardens are comprised of an elaborate late-17th-century-style box maze, an allée of more than three-hundred plane trees, an 18th-century Romanesque temple, a grove of ancient Spanish olive trees, a lake framed by apple trees and Japanese maples, a potager and, of course, fields of brilliant lavender.

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05Jun

La Bastide de Gordes: Ideal Escapes

la bastide de gordes, view of the medival town

I miss the flexibility that living in Europe provides.  The ease of traveling throughout the vicinity countries and getting to experience first-hand the beauty of its cities.  The tiniest unknown of towns will impress you with its own beauty and authenticity.  La Bastide de Gordes is located in its namesake town, in the Luberon region of the South of France.  la bastide de gordes, outdoor terraces, swiming pool

Gordes is one of Provence’s prettiest hilltop villages, one of those magical villages that can immediately take you back in time.  Dominated by its magnificent medieval castle and the Saint-Firmin church, characterized by its peasant past as well as the splendors of sixteenth-century nobility, it’s easy to lose yourself in the cobbled alleyways that wind between the towering houses made from dry stone.

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25Sep

A Chic and Stylish Guide to Uzes, France

chic and stylish guide to uzes france 1
chic and stylish guide to uzes, france

Away from the hustle and bustle of the South of France’s sunny cost line you will find Uzès.  A historic town  located in Le Gard, a geographical Department in the South of France.  Uzes is an enchanting hilly old town which is entirely pedestrian.  We recently had the pleasure of spending a few days in this charming region and we had a great time.  The town wasn’t always as chic and charming as it is today.  Fifty years ago Uzès was a sad forgotten town with dilapidated and ruined homes until the French government took matters in their own hands and took the town under a major restoration.   Uzes has recently been designated a historic town.  In the center of tow is Place aux Herbes, a square featuring a big fountain, outdoor cafes and cute little shops.  Almost every building in Uzes is of Renaissance architecture made of limestone.

A Chic and Stylish Guide to Uzes, France. Map

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03Aug

Francois and Betty Catroux Provençal Home: Les Ramades

I understand when Betty Catroux says that all she likes to do in her home in Provence is ‘to drink wine and gaze at beauty’ because that’s must of what we did for the past two weeks during our vacation there… and there is little else I’d like to do more…  Elle Decor‘s current issue features Francois and Betty Catroux’s Provençal home, Les Ramades, in Lourmarin, in the Luberon region.  The 10 acres home has a stunning Provençal garden, swimming pool and tennis court… The couple goes to the property on the weekend to relax and break away from the daily routine…

Francois and Betty Catrux's Provencal home living room via belle vivir

Two of the many charming features are the vaulted ceilings and the unusual stone floor, which Francois had made of cement with embedded river stones. The courtyard garden is my favorite place in the house… I can only imagine the sublime experience of having my breakfast every day and drink my cafe con leche among the scent of fresh herb, cypress tree, and laurel… ah… revert…

Francois and Betty Catroux's Provençal, Betty Catroux, home Belle vivir blog

Another view of the living space with the fireplace in the background and a sculptural pendant that Catroux designed.  The costume stone floor seems to be used all throughout the home.  The floor that looks like a Moroccan rug is rather a cement floor with embedded river stones that Francois had custom made.

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05Jun

Domain de Fontenille: An Idyllic Chateau Hotel In Provence

Bellevivir-travel-guide-Domain-de-Fontenille3

There is elegance and then there is French elegance furthermore if it comes in the form of a Chateau completely restored respecting its history and functioning as a hotel.  Domain de Fontenille is located in the Luberon region of Provence, France and it appears as time has not passed it by since it retains a luxury that is discreet and classic while offering modern amenities and excellent food.  My family and I had the joy of staying at Domain de Fontenille for a weekend last year during our two week pilgrimage of
excellent cuisine and wine tasting in The South of France.  The hotel is conveniently located only 30 minutes’ drive from Aix-en-Provence.  The Domain has only 17 rooms which makes it even more enjoyable and more of a personal experience in lieu of more crowded and busy hotels.  The beautiful property is situated amid Provencal hills on an idyllic park setting with green lawns, gravel pathways dotted with terracotta planted topiaries, flower gardens, century old trees and cypress pine.
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28Apr

What to pack for Provence: Provence Travel Essentials

We are planning our two weeks long vacation to the South of France and since we are a bit adventurous, but in a low-risk way, no bungee-jumping for us. We are more of leisurely adventurous ones, we spend 2-3 nights in a village then we pack up and move on to another town for a couple of days and then to another one for the last 5-6 days. We just love Provence so much we really want to get the feeling of all these charming little towns and take it all in while there. The first few days will be in Gassin to enjoy the charming beautiful village and also to be just close enough to St. Tropez. Our second stay will be at Uzes for 3 nights where we will be able to drive to Arles and Saint Remy and all those beautiful towns where it doesn’t matter how often we go it’s always amazing. Our last stay will be in Gordes where all we are planning to do is well the same things we will have been doing for the previous week, wandering around, visiting Flea Markets and stopping on our ways for new discoveries. I really can’t wait.  It’s always fun to plan what to pack traveling.  Below, some of my Provence travel essentials.  What to pack for Provence.

what to pack for Provence, Provence travel essentials belle vivir

This will be our third year in a row spending two weeks of summer in Provence but there is so much we don’t know, so much we would love to show our son and share together that if you guys have any recommendations for us please share.  Do you know of a new restaurant, hot spot or exciting little town?  Please let me know.  I’m a sucker for comfortable clothes especially comfortable pants and dresses, pieces you can intermingle and make traveling easier.  Now, we all know that the South of France can get pretty warm so there will be lots of off-shoulder, ruffles and of course stripes.

A Boater hat is a must for any summer destination, A black asymmetric cold shoulder top for $44 is  perfect for evenings,  This flutter-sleeve top with embroidery trim is super adorable, A Cashmere scarf for the evenings, any of these sundresses will look great under the Provence sun.  Aren’t these espadrilles the cutest and if you are going to Provence you need to take a pair of espadrilles for $119, the classic white pants not bad for $381, in this case, not jeans something with softer fabric, a big woven straw tote to hold the daily purchases, the jeans skirt is classic with a twist and for $30.99 is practically free.

 

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