Chateau d’Estoublon, Established 1489
📍Fontvieille, France

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How often do you get to visit a 500 year old vineyard? The age of buildings and businesses found in Europe never ceases to amaze this history buff. While in the South of France, I wanted to make sure I took time to enjoy the local wines found in the Luberon region. While researching, I stumbled across the Château d’Estoublon and knew it was a must visit! Better still, it came recommended by one of my favorite fellow travelers, Stacie Flinner. Established in 1489, here’s what you need to know about Château d’Estoublon.

A Quick Visit to Fontvieille

Chateau d’Estoublon is just a quick 10 minute drive away from the commune of Fontvieille. David and I arrived too early for our reservation, so we decided to hop back in the car and explore. Because it was Mother’s Day in France, this tiny town of 3,500 was buzzing, especially at the local café. We ordered a coffee and croissant to hold us over, and people watched for a spell. Afterward, we wandered the streets, admiring the local architecture. I loved the monument in the town square that memorialized the French Revolution. No matter what century you look at, France is just so rich with history.

About Chateau d’Estoublon

Chateau d’Estoublon lies along the southern end of the Alpilles mountains, the range brought to life by Vincent Van Gogh. Here they have been making and perfecting olive oils and wines since 1489. Their olive oils are frequently named as some of the best in the world! Alongside the winery lies an 18th century château that would make for the perfect wedding venue. Becoming part of Airelles in 2019, you can also stay in one of the 22 rooms, ten bedrooms, and suites to make this castle feel like home. The 341 acres on the property are simply pristine and seem like it’s straight out of a provencial fairy tale.

Lunch at La Table

Although I was looking forward to seeing the estate in person, the main reason for our visit was lunch. La Table served was one of the most incredible meals I’ve ever had on their sunlit courtyard. Since it was a holiday, the space was full of celebrating families, and I was so thankful to have gotten reservations for the cookout. Of course, our meal started with the vineyard’s own wine: red and white for his and hers. What came next was a feast of perfectly prepared appetizers, meats, and vegetables. There was hardly any space for it all on our tiny table. With my tastebuds soaring, this is one of those meals that I will cherish forever. Chef Wim Van Gorp is a master!

Explore the Vineyard

After such a filling meal, exploring the vineyard was a much needed activity. Chateau d’Estoublon offers several tour options where you can intimately learn about their olive oils and/or wines. The visit begins with a guided tour of the vineyard and olive grove and ends with tastings. They are so accommodating and will customize the tasting to match your preference. This is also a great option if you can’t get a dining reservation but still want to explore and get to know all that they offer. 

Shop for Souvenirs

Our visit’s only disappointment was learning that Chateau d’Estoublon doesn’t ship to the United States. Luckily, I had planned for this by being sure to leave room in my suitcase for at least two bottles. The Shop had so many varieties of olive oils and wines that it was difficult to choose. I prioritized a bottle of the Rouge Château 2018 and Blanc Château 2015, the years David and I got married and started dating. We also purchased a bottle of their award-winning extra virgin olive oil. Since I have no idea when we’ll return to Chateau d’Estoublon next, I’ll be saving all three bottles for special occasions. If you happen to live in Europe, lucky you because they deliver to 27 different countries.

In all our travels through the South of France, visiting Chateau d’Estoublon seemed like the quintessential Provence experience. Whenever I travel, I just feel so fortunate on not only finding incredible restaurants or experiences but being able to snag a reservation. When it comes to traveling, especially internationally, luck just may be a piece of the equation.

Love from France,
Katie

As always, thanks for stopping by! To keep up with all things about the Sunshine State, be sure to visit my exclusive Florida page, here.

18 Hours in Saint Remy de Provence
📍 Saint Remy de Provence, France

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Trips can be too short. Sometimes you find yourself in a destination for a mere 24 hours, and it’s just not enough time! On our road trip through Provence, we had even less time while staying in the beautiful town of Saint Remy de Provence. The 18 hours here were jam-packed and very well spent. Rich with Ancient Roman landmarks, epicurean delights, and artful history, there’s something here that every kind of traveler can enjoy. Here’s just a quick look at our 18 hours in Saint Remy de Provence.

Daydream in the Town Square

We arrived at Saint Remy de Provence sun-kissed after an incredible lunch at a nearby winery. Knowing we had such little time to explore and see the town, we hit the ground running. Like many European towns, the pulse of Saint Remy is in the historic center. Amongst the narrow streets, you can wander by seemingly endless boutiques. Here you can also find the birthplace of 16th-century author Nostradamus at a fairly nondescript apartment on Rue Hoche. Just be sure to finish your shopping by 7:00 pm. The businesses close up as soon as the clock strikes, and dinner service begins for many locals.

Stay at Le Saint-Rémy

Le Saint-Rémy Hotel was our overnight home for the evening, and I cannot recommend it enough! This luxury, 31-room hotel is located right in the heart of town and housed in a spacious 19th-century townhouse. The understated glamour and effortlessly bohemian aesthetic made it feel more like a spa retreat! Perched above the outdoor terrace is a heated rooftop pool with several cabanas and excellent sun. I only wished I could have stayed here for just a few more days to really unwind.

Relax at the Bar Lounge

After a full day of exploring in the sun, I was really looking forward to a relaxed and mellow dinner. While Saint Remy de Provence has several Michelin-starred restaurants in town, we opted for cocktails and tapas at the Bar Lounge of our hotel. We sat in plush seats in their beautiful courtyard and watched the laidback nightlife begin. If you want a little more evening activity, look no further than the courtyard’s pétanque court. Similar to bocce, it’s an easy way to chat with the other guests and let your competitive side come out.

Walk the Van Gogh Trail

Le Saint-Rémy just had such an incredible location! In fact, it’s situated directly on the Van Gogh Trail. At a leisurely pace, you can be at the Monastery Saint-Paul de Mausole in just 15 minutes. Walk a little further, and you’ll see the elements of the town’s Roman Empire history come to life. Saint Remy de Provence is actually on the same site as the ancient city of Glanum. It was pivotal to connect France and Spain to Rome. Not much is left of Glanum, which was destroyed in 260 AD, but you can still find incredibly well-preserved monuments, including the triumphal arch. If you want to experience both the Van Gogh Trail and Glanum Monuments but are really short on time, you can rent an electric bike from the hotel.

Although we’ve been home from Provence for nearly a month, I daydream about the region almost daily. When planning your trip, it’s important to understand what makes each town, village, or commune unique. With Saint Remy de Provence, you get an incredible combination of history, food, and art. Visiting this stunning town was an incredible experience that I will never forget.

Love from France,
Katie

As always, thanks for stopping by! To keep up with all things about the Sunshine State, be sure to visit my exclusive Florida page, here.

Walking with Van Gogh
📍Saint Remy de Provence, France

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While researching for our trip to Provence, it felt like a big undertaking. It’s a large region that spans from the Southern Alps to resorts along the Mediterranean. I wanted to see as much as possible. A particular town that really spoke to me was the beautiful Saint Remy de Provence. Just south of Avignon, I knew it would be a perfect addition to our Provencal road trip. While there’s so much to see and explore in town, the most noteworthy attraction is the Van Gogh Walk.

Since I would list Vincent Van Gogh as my favorite artist, I was so excited to see the town and landscape that helped inspire so many of his works. Although the artist only lived here for a year, May 1889-May 1890, it’s where he painted over 150 canvases, including Starry Night. Along the Van Gogh Walk, you’ll find 19 markers that outline his career with prints of his most beloved works. The route takes you from the town center in Saint Remy de Provence to the Monastery Saint-Paul de Mausole. A self-admitted patient for most of his year in town, this happened shortly after the infamous “ear” incident.

Interestingly, Monastery Saint-Paul de Mausole is still a working hospital, but there are certain wings that you are free to explore. The cloisters and interior garden act as the resident art museum, with exhibitions rotating frequently. Many of these artists are local and directly inspired by Van Gogh’s work. Continue through the former monastery, up the narrow stairs, and you’ll find Van Gogh’s former bedroom. It had direct views of the lavender fields below, and Van Gogh could often be found painting there. Because the hospital was only half occupied in the summer of 1889, he was given an additional room on the ground floor to act as his studio.

From start to finish, our entire excursion took about an hour. The weather couldn’t have been prettier, and I protected myself from the sun with an oversized sunhat. As a lover of art, I’m so happy we made this detour to stand where Van Gogh stood. It was so powerful to see in person the cypress trees and swirling landscapes that make him a feature in every great art museum. If you stand and admire the scenery long enough, you may just begin seeing the world from a brand new perspective.

Sometimes travel is all about being on the go and adapting to the hustle of a city. In Saint Remy de Provence, it was a treat to slow down and really take the time to ‘stop and smell the roses.’ However, in Van Gogh’s case, it may be more about the irises. 

Love from France,
Katie

As always, thanks for stopping by! To keep up with all things about the Sunshine State, be sure to visit my exclusive Florida page, here.