Essentially French

Essentially French Welcome to Essentially French, your gateway to the enchanting region of Provence. Book your spot now for an extraordinary journey through the heart of Provence!

Discover Provence like never before with Essentially French's exclusive 5-night, 6-day tours! Immerse yourself in the charm and beauty of this stunning region, while staying in our lovingly restored 13th-century provincial home. With a maximum of six guests, you'll enjoy an intimate and personalised experience, complete with tailored itineraries, gourmet meals, and unforgettable adventures. Come and visit us at essentiallyfrench.com.au

Butter in Provence is something else entirely. Golden, creamy, and full of flavour, it turns the simplest bite into some...
21/08/2025

Butter in Provence is something else entirely. Golden, creamy, and full of flavour, it turns the simplest bite into something memorable. A fresh baguette with a generous spread, a flaky croissant layered with butter, or a dish finished with just a touch — it’s that richness that makes French food sing.

What makes it so beautiful is the care behind it. Local dairies, traditional methods, and cows that graze on the lush pastures of the south — all of it adds up to butter that tastes of place. It’s not just an ingredient here, it’s the quiet foundation of so many meals.

Every time I sit down to breakfast with fresh bread and Provençal butter, I’m reminded of how the simplest things, done well, are often the most luxurious.

There’s a special kind of beauty in Provence that only reveals itself at dawn. When the first light spills over villages...
20/08/2025

There’s a special kind of beauty in Provence that only reveals itself at dawn. When the first light spills over villages like Gordes, across the vineyards and fields, the shutters are still closed, the cafés asleep, and the lanes belong only to you.

The locals aren’t early risers — so those soft golden hours are yours alone. It’s a time for quiet reflection, a gentle stroll, or simply watching as the sky turns the stone walls and tiled roofs into shades of pink and gold. It’s Provence at its most peaceful, a side of village life that many never see.

It’s these moments we love to share with our guests — the intimacy of seeing Provence slowly wake up, as though it’s a secret just for you.

Almonds are everywhere in Provence — from the orchards that turn blush-pink in spring to the kitchens where they sneak t...
20/08/2025

Almonds are everywhere in Provence — from the orchards that turn blush-pink in spring to the kitchens where they sneak their way into so many beloved dishes. They’re the quiet hero of both savoury and sweet. You’ll find them crushed into tarts, layered in buttery croissants, scattered over fish or roasted vegetables, or transformed into that heavenly paste, frangipane. And of course, the famous calisson d’Aix — a delicate Provençal sweet made from ground almonds, candied fruit and icing.

Beyond the flavour, almonds are little powerhouses of goodness. Rich in protein, fibre, and healthy fats, they keep you full, fuel your day, and add that satisfying crunch. The French have known this for centuries — almonds aren’t just delicious, they’re practical too.

It’s one of those simple joys of life here: the almond tree giving so much, and Provence knowing exactly what to do with it.

There’s something about the light in Provence that makes even the simplest village scene unforgettable. Stone archways, ...
18/08/2025

There’s something about the light in Provence that makes even the simplest village scene unforgettable. Stone archways, weathered shutters, and quiet lanes are suddenly alive with a soft glow that changes hour by hour. It’s the kind of beauty you don’t rush past — you stop, you look, you breathe it in.

This is the Provence we love to share. Our exclusive small group stays welcome just six guests at a time into our 830-year-old home in Mazan, where you’ll experience the region not as a tourist, but as part of our family. Five nights, six days of discovering, tasting, and living Provence.

Visit our website - essentiallyfrench.com.au to find out more.

There’s a quiet elegance in the street lamps of Provence. Some are curved like a flourish of handwriting, others stand t...
17/08/2025

There’s a quiet elegance in the street lamps of Provence. Some are curved like a flourish of handwriting, others stand tall and noble with wrought iron scrolls, quietly watching over centuries of life passing beneath them.

I love how they add such understated charm — functional, yes, but also like jewellery adorning our streets. You can’t help but glance up when you walk past.

If you’d love to experience the magic of Provence for yourself, join one of our exclusive 5 night, 6 day stays in our historic Provencal home. With only a handful of guests welcomed each season, it’s a rare opportunity to experience Provence with privacy, comfort and charm. Visit our website - essentiallyfrench.com.au to discover more.

There’s something so timeless about the little stone cabanons scattered through Provence. Once used as shepherd shelters...
16/08/2025

There’s something so timeless about the little stone cabanons scattered through Provence. Once used as shepherd shelters or places to store tools, today they stand as quiet guardians of the landscape — a reminder of life lived simply.

On our small group stays, we take the time to notice these details: the weathered doors, the tilt of a roof, the way vines and trees weave themselves into the scene. Provence is never in a rush — and that’s part of its charm.

If you’d like to slow down with us in 2026, you’ll find all the details at essentiallyfrench.com.au.

In Provence, the fountains are more than just a pretty detail — they’re the heartbeat of our villages. For centuries the...
15/08/2025

In Provence, the fountains are more than just a pretty detail — they’re the heartbeat of our villages. For centuries they’ve been the gathering point, the place to pause, exchange a few words, and take in the rhythm of the day.

When you stay with us in Provence, you’ll see them everywhere — tucked into quiet corners, standing proudly in sunlit squares, or spilling cool water beneath plane trees. Each one tells a story, and each day you’ll discover more of them, along with the people and places that make this region so endlessly captivating.

Join us for a small group stay and experience the Provence most visitors only glimpse. Visit us at essentiallyfrench.com.au for full details of our 2026 experiences.

There’s something about a French wrought iron daybed that feels like pure Provence.Those hand-forged curves, the layers ...
14/08/2025

There’s something about a French wrought iron daybed that feels like pure Provence.
Those hand-forged curves, the layers of time in the paint, the cushions faded by sun and years of use — they tell a story before you’ve even sat down.

You’ll spot them in shaded courtyards, under rambling roses, or tucked against a stone wall where the afternoon light lingers. They’re not just for sitting, they’re for staying — a quiet pause between market mornings and long, lingering dinners.

If you love these small details of French life as much as I do, explore more of Provence through our small group stays at essentiallyfrench.com.au.

They’re a little wobbly, paint chipped from decades in the sun, and yet these rustic French metal chairs have a way of m...
13/08/2025

They’re a little wobbly, paint chipped from decades in the sun, and yet these rustic French metal chairs have a way of making you sit a little longer.
You’ll find them scattered through gardens, tucked against stone walls, or set in the perfect patch of shade, waiting for a cup of coffee or a glass of rosé.

In Provence, they’re not just seating — they’re part of the rhythm of the day. Morning coffee, afternoon conversations, long evenings under fairy-lit vines. They hold memories in every scratch and swirl of iron.

When you stay with us in Mazan, you’ll find yourself in one of these chairs often — sometimes with company, sometimes alone with your thoughts — always with a view worth lingering over.

There’s something about a weathered stone table in Provence that makes you pause.It’s not just a place to set your wine ...
12/08/2025

There’s something about a weathered stone table in Provence that makes you pause.
It’s not just a place to set your wine glass or share a meal — it’s a keeper of conversations and a witness to long lunches under the vines.

Moss might gather in its crevices, the surface worn smooth from decades of use, but the stone remains cool and steady, no matter how hot the summer sun.
Here in Provence, these tables aren’t just furniture — they’re part of the landscape. A place where stories are told, olives are pitted, and plans for “tomorrow” are made — though tomorrow often looks very much like today.

When you join us in our Provencal home, you’ll find yourself at one of these tables, glass in hand, looking out over centuries-old walls and olive trees swaying. It’s the kind of moment you’ll carry home with you, long after your suitcase is unpacked.

Always wondering what’s on the other side of painted old doors. In Provence, they’re never just doors — they’re invitati...
11/08/2025

Always wondering what’s on the other side of painted old doors. In Provence, they’re never just doors — they’re invitations to imagine.
Faded layers, chipped edges, colours softened by years of sun and mistral winds. Each one hints at stories inside — family meals, laughter spilling into courtyards, quiet afternoons, lives lived slowly.
Part of the charm here is knowing that behind these doors could be a grand hall, a tiny kitchen, or a garden scented with lavender. You never quite know… and that’s half the magic.

Visit our website essentiallyfrench.com.au and find your experience in Provence for 2026.

On a warm afternoon, it’s hard to resist the bright orange glow of a Spritz in a tall glass, a slice of citrus catching ...
10/08/2025

On a warm afternoon, it’s hard to resist the bright orange glow of a Spritz in a tall glass, a slice of citrus catching the light. It’s the kind of drink that invites you to pause — to linger over conversation, watch the world go by, and let the afternoon roll gently into evening.

During our small group stays, we find plenty of opportunities to enjoy one. It might be on a terrace with views over a hilltop village, at a café after the market, or in the garden at home before dinner.

Five nights. Six days. All inclusive. A maximum of six guests per tour.
2026 dates are now open for May and Sept/Oct.

Details at essentiallyfrench.com.au

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Our Story

Welcome to Essentially French. We offer authentic, history filled holiday homes located in the South of France. Our properties range from a Medieval, 800 Year Old Knights Templar Manor in the heart of Provence, and a stone house in the 1000 year old circulade village of Murviel-les-Beziers in the Languedoc. We also host small groups for ‘A Week in Provence’, an exciting fun filled week exploring hidden gems of Provence.

We are now the proud co-owners of a magnificent Chateau in the Vienne. Follow our journey as our enormous group of co-owners begin to restore this stunning ruin to be returned, (where possible), to its former glory. Come and visit us at Essentially-French.com