Welcome to provence notebook where timeless French charm meets the art of everyday living.
I’m Kaye and since I’ve been living in France, I have had to quickly bring myself up to speed with the who, what, where of my particular area which is Provence. Fun and games from the get-go I can tell you . . . hence my tagline “Hit the ground running!” . . . bearing in mind that all of this is taking place in a different language to my own!!
This Blog came about because I had collected so many notebooks, I thought putting them all in one organised place would not just help me, but perhaps help others heading to these parts.
How might this help you? Well . . . I have always been fussy, so always a person on the hunt for the best of the very best in all things. In my travels, I therefore manage to find places, that even the locals weren’t aware of!
My Love Affair with France
How did I end up living in France?
How did I end up living in France? When I look back now, it’s so easy to see the clear path of breadcrumbs that led me here . . . destiny at work.
A reminder folks . . . to be very careful what you wish for!
The Culinary Influence
It was the day of my oral French GCSE at school in London where I grew up. The examiner asked me in French . . . if I was to go to a French restaurant, what would I order. I remember thinking, this is soooo easy. I started going on and on and eventually the examiner almost begged me to stop, saying that was far too much to eat in one meal! I am not sure exactly why I knew so much as we really only covered the basics in class. I remember my meal choice was horrible, but my fluency was great!
My real food story though, begins with Jane Grigson, a great chef/food writer. I still read her book Good Things on a loop. On hearing from my then husband, that I was a young bride who loved to cook, graciously gifted me the Elizabeth David set of cookbooks.
Those little books by Elizabeth David, not only hugely influenced my life, but they changed the entire culinary landscape in the UK for good. Her biographer, Artemis Cooper wrote, “She was hailed not only as Britain’s foremost writer on food and cookery, but as the woman who had transformed the eating habits of middle-class England”.
I devoured those little books, and still to this day I constantly will refer to them. Interestingly, both these women had a deep affection for France, and owned second homes in the South of France.
a love affair with France
So is it any wonder that since I was in my 20’s, ever since I happened to come across it by pure by chance, every single visit to Paris would find me in the famous Dehillerin kitchen buying yet another copper pot.
My little furniture and home accessories shop in Fulham, also took me on buying trips to Paris twice a year to the Maison et Objet Exhibition. With each visit, I felt an undeniable connection to the city . . . to the country to the food . . . I always felt so at home in Paris . . . a sense of déjà vu that was both comforting and exciting.
discovering Provence
I also loved renting a house for Christmas in Provence, delving into the French Christmas traditions, and where the weather was always so much milder than the weather back in England.
I vividly recall a sunny day during the Christmas holidays, I asked my son to drive us to Menerbes and Bonnieux, inspired by Peter Mayle’s captivating descriptions in his book ‘A Year in Provence’. To my delight, the reality was even more stunning than I had imagined.
Then my son married a French girl, making my visits more frequent. Then came my two half-French grandchildren. Before long, my son and his family, along with me, found ourselves living in this magical circle of the Luberon.
Whilst I was waiting to sell my house, my son and I were offered an opportunity to look after a beautiful estate in Gordes, which is how I came to be living in France. Somewhere in the back of my mind, I had always envisioned a house in Provence and here was my opportunity to actually experience it. Once my house was sold, I could decide where I wanted to live, back to the UK or France.
My love for France, French cooking, and the allure of French country style runs deep in my culinary journey. I fondly credit these two trail-blazing cooks for igniting my passion for all things French.
joie de vivre
This Blog/Journal has become a collection of “all” the things I “love” most of all . . . the things that bring me the greatest “joy”.
Thank you for joining me in exploring this remarkable region! I’m excited to share my experiences and insights as I continue to learn and grow. If my discoveries help enhance your visit, I’d be delighted.
I am still learning so much and widening my borders somewhat . . . For instance, I spied the last two bunches of fresh cima di rapa at the Coustellet Sunday Market recently, and learnt from the vendor of Italian parentage exactly how to prepare it ‘Italian style’.
I keep saying if it is Mediterranean it all counts.
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Provence shopping guide free!
Our curated list of the best markets in Provence, perfect for food lovers and travelers. Explore where to find fresh produce, local delicacies, and regional specialties in this handy guide on where to shop in Provence.
