"Today I'm going to Provence!" I sent this message to my subscribers on the 14th of September 2023. On that day, Rachel, Aimée and I left the south coast of England to experience Autumn in Provence, from our base in the Luberon!
🎦 Watch our short video on the Luberon, which will inspire you to explore this beautiful region in Provence ⤵
Our French trips in 2023
My previous visits to Provence always left me yearning for more. A week or two never seemed quite sufficient.
There's such an abundance of treasures to uncover in Provence, even just within the Luberon region that I've often mused about dedicating an entire month to this picturesque corner of France.
Ménerbes, April 2023
Such an extended stay would grant me the luxury of leisurely exploration, free from the rush of cramming five village visits into a single day and returning utterly drained!
We were fortunate to find ourselves in France on multiple occasions this year. In the spring, we found ourselves nestled in the Savoie Alps.
Aimée in Granier, French Alps, May 2023
For seven weeks, we embarked on mountain adventures from the charming city of Annecy and later from a picturesque village perched high in the Tarentaise.
Then, come June, we set sail from Portsmouth to Saint-Malo, opening the doors to explore the Upper Brittany region.
A family selfie in Saint-Malo, June 2023
It proved to be a golden opportunity to immerse ourselves in the enchantment of the Mont-Saint-Michel Bay, the allure of the Emerald Coast, and the rich history of the town of Dinan.
And now, we shall embrace the autumn in Provence for our third and final trip to France in 2023.
But before we start, let me offer you a little gift... 🎁
A Provençal gift for you!
To thank you for following our adventures of Provence in Autumn, I'm delighted to offer you my latest eBook: Luberon: 10 not-to-miss villages.
This beautifully illustrated ebook features 10 of our favourite villages in the Luberon, including Bonnieux, our base for this month-long autumn stay in Provence.
Size: 29 MB
The stages of our Provençal journey
Bonnieux will serve as our Provençal home base for a little over five weeks.
Perched atop a hill in the Luberon, this village exudes picturesque charm with its winding ancient streets and breathtaking vistas that stretch over the valley.
Arriving at Bonnieux from Lourmarin
The selection of Bonnieux as our base was influenced by several factors, chief among them its strategic positioning in our 'playground.'
From here, exploring the enchanting villages of Gordes and Roussillon is a breeze. To the south, the D943 road conveniently guides us through the Luberon mountain, unveiling treasures in Lourmarin, Cucuron, and Pertuis.
Gordes
Lourmarin
Roussillon
Cucuron
Avignon and Aix-en-Provence are within easy reach, as is Marseille-Provence Airport, our gateway to this captivating region.
Avignon
Aix-en-Provence
Autum in Provence
This page collects all the emails sent to our readers with more pictures. Come back often to read the updates!
London to Marseille: A Memorable Flight
On this Sunday, at the end of September, we left the south of England to spend just over five weeks in Provence. The flight from London to Marseille gave us breathtaking views of eastern France. Here’s a photo report. I took the photos on board the plane with my iPhone – my camera was safe in read more…
Morning Walks in Bonnieux, A Provençal Hilltop Village
Since we arrived in Provence, we’ve climbed up to the hilltop village of Bonnieux several times. We prefer to do our walks in Bonnieux in the morning, when the temperatures are still fairly cool, as climbing up to the upper church (église haute) requires a certain amount of physical effort! Here are a few photos taken read more…
The Countryside of Bonnieux and Lacoste, A Provençal Exploration
Our accommodation is in a Provençal farmhouse in the middle of the Luberon countryside. This location is ideal for exploring the surrounding area without taking the car. For us, the countryside of Bonnieux is a complete change of scenery.Bonnieux early morningSince arriving in Provence, we’ve been walking around our accommodation, especially in the mornings when read more…
Strolling through 10 Villages of the Luberon
The villages of the Luberon are exceptional in many ways. Most are perched like a stone watchtower over the valley or plain. Some have been awarded the prestigious label of “Les Plus Beaux Villages de France” (The Most Beautiful Villages in France), which enables them to welcome a host of tourists in the summer. But what read more…
Exploring the Iconic Clock Towers and Campaniles of Provence
In the Luberon’s picturesque towns and villages, I’ve been captivated by the towering structures that grace the skyline – the campaniles and clock towers and campaniles of Provence. These architectural marvels symbolise the heart of each community and serve as guardians of time and tradition. Join me as we delve into the world of Provence’s beloved read more…
Provence under the Clouds: A Different Hue of Beauty
For the past three weeks, we’ve been blessed with radiant skies and the sun’s golden rays. However, in true Provencal fashion, the weather took a turn, and the clouds and rain appeared. But I wasn’t dismayed; Provence is no stranger to these brief interludes of rain, unlike some places where gloom can stretch on for read more…
My 50 most beautiful photos of Provence
As our time in Provence comes to an end after a delightful stay spanning over five weeks, anchored in the picturesque hilltop village of Bonnieux in the heart of the Luberon, we would like to pay tribute to this magnificent region. In commemoration of this charming corner of the world, we’ve curated a compilation of read more…
Honey from the Luberon – A Visit to a Farm in Bonnieux
During a recent countryside getaway, we had the privilege of visiting Malvina, the curator of the family-run boutique at Clément and Malvina’s farm. In 2014, this passionate couple established a Groupement Agricole d’Exploitation en Commun (GAEC) in the picturesque commune of Bonnieux, nestled in the heart of Luberon. They manage a sprawling 30-hectare estate, home read more…
Watch a 5-minute escape in Provence!
During our 40-day stay in the Luberon, I took dozens of short films of our excursions. Back home in England, I selected a few of my best shots to compose a short tribute video to the Luberon. This is an invitation to escape in Provence for a few minutes!A 5-minute Escape in ProvenceThis short video read more…
Photos © French Moments except where indicated
Bon voyage to all of you! I hope you have a wonderful, educational and fun-filled five weeks and I look forward to following your adventures as usual.
Merci beaucoup Ellen! A bientôt! 🙂