Your Private Provence

12/08/2025

30 years ago this August my journey to France, the south of France, Provence began with a French guy I met at bookshop in Seattle. I still haven't stopped exploring and discovering my adoptive land...and sharing with you.

The day my French life began...

21/06/2025

Summer has arrived. The cicadas are singing, the red poppies have faded giving the attention to lavender, the asparagus no longer presents itself on every menu so our taste buds turn to cherries and that soul food called cherry clafoutis. I love the seasons. Change is sometimes really hard…but the seasons remind me how much letting go and embracing something different can actually be the best step to inspiration. Voila, my tribute to say goodbye to spring and bonjour summer vibes.

11/01/2025

The Golden Hour in Provence - it was just by chance that I captured this shot, on the very first day of this year. On a walk in my neighborhood, a place I pass often, nothing short of nature’s spectacle, shining the golden road for me to follow. After photographing from every angle, I stood in the spotlight, letting the color, the light, the warmth draw me into to dreams.

Bonne année to you all. May the road be bright, and when it’s not, seek beyond to the light.

13/12/2024

Not so long ago, back in October, after a full tour day in the Luberon, a surprise was waiting for me. It was one of those perfect Indian summer evenings with not even the slightest breeze. I followed the directions to the « surprise » spot, 😮 . A tiny little plane and the pilot were waiting to take me to see my beloved Provence from the sky! The pilot asked what direction, « Luberon » I said. And so we ventured on…over Fontaine-de-Vaucluse, the closed valley, views of the highest peak, Mount Ventoux, over Gordes, crossing to Bonnieux, Lacoste, Menerbes, Oppède, and then to the flat lands neighboring the Durance river where you find market farming crops and plenty of apple trees (which is where my little farm house sits). Lastly, a nice view of the Chartreuse de Bonpas next to the river (where monks helped travelers cross this dangerous river…hence the name Bon Pas).

Merci Clement! I can’t wait for the next flight…where to next 🤔 ?

04/12/2024

Some deeper thoughts have led me to write. I was reminded today that while all the festive lights shine and our cameras/internet photos capture the holiday bliss, inside can be a different story. It’s a time when the heart seems a little vulnerable. The season can feel like we are in a show and the show is telling us we have to perform, an unspoken expectation seems to be put upon us.

And yet we never signed up to be put on stage. A strange emptiness, sometimes awkwardness creeps in as it faces this collide.

But the good news, the story doesn’t end there! we don’t want to end a post with an empty feeling so LOOK UP (see photos 😉). Remember the real season is not the holiday (or end of year) frenzy…it is rather Advent (which does not mean before Noël…it means “the coming”).

Pictures
1) Church in Saint Rémy de Provence
2) Church in Aix - cathedral, looking up in the baptistery (Roman columns!)
3) Church in Arles - St Trophime 12th portal with Peter and his keys and John the Evangelist
4) Gorges de Regalon in the Luberon - an amazing place to see how light shines through darkness!
5) Back in Aix looking at the former granary, 18th century sculptures represent the two main rivers in Provence (Le Rhone et La Durance)
6) Maison Carrée in Nîmes- Roman temple from 1 century AD
6) hmm, someone looking up with reflection in table of the dome at the InterContinental Lyon -Hotel de Dieu (story of this former hospital going back to the 12th century!)

03/12/2024

The many, many roads…I believe something we all like when we travel is to wander this way and that way, finding details, light & shadow, a different end, a new beginning…oh and so much color in between when in Provence!

Do you have a favorite road you take often? What attracts you?

Here are four towns in Provence region with exceptional photography for small street views : 1) Cassis 2) Martigues 3) Arles 4) L’Isle sur la Sorgue

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01/12/2024

Time to stop and think upon this year in Provence. I am taking December to think upon, remember, all the places, people, little moments of beauty and wonder. Some posts to share with you leading up to the New Year. Perhaps you will find inspiration, perhaps you’ll reflect upon your past trip in the region, or anticipate your upcoming adventure. On ya va (let’s go) a year in Provence begins…with reflections (what better way to introduce the « reflection » 😉
These are all spots common on my tours. From the church in Cassis to the Roman aqueduct near Uzès (via sometimes the Camargue for the wildlife en route between north and south). The picture (reflection) of me is at one of my favorite restaurants.

18/07/2024

Last tour of the summer season completed. Voilà a few images to transport you to nature in all her glory. I was searching for one word to sum up this High Provence Lavender Tour…quintessential. It is nature speaking loud, waking you up to your senses. Yet all the while she remains tender. The mountains always around you like arms pulling you up to the peaceful sky, to the stars. Merci ! Your slice of heaven on earth rekindles the soul.
2025 tour open for reservations [email protected]

04/07/2024

This week’s Lavender Lifestyle Tour, underway, is bringing magic and beauty together. While I create the tours, it wouldn’t be possible to bring you the WOW if it weren’t for the passionate and hard working people who share their talent with you. A big shout out to who did an unforgettable dinner at for us last night.

30/05/2024

The flowers, the mountains, the blue in the sky, the passing storm, the silence you hear when you sit and just look at nature’s beauty. I can’t believe I haven’t shared Provence’s beauty since Christmas! Tours are full swing…a few images here to keep you in the Provence dream.

22/12/2023

From Lavender to Christmas, how did that happen! First post in a long time...I wanted to say MERCI for all those who choose Your Private Provence for your Provence experience. It was a remarkable year ending with the Christmas Cheer Tour...see more on this tour in the Newsletter. Cheers 🥂 to you all - may joy and peace fill your homes this season.

First post in a long time...I wanted to say MERCI for all those who choose Your Private Provence in 2023.