La Mirande and Avignon
📍 Avignon, France

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The final stop on our Provence road trip made sense logistically and was highly recommended by many of my fellow travelers. Avignon is one of the larger cities in the region and is full of incredible dining and history. After being on the road for nearly two weeks, we wanted to slow down and relax the day before our travels back to the United States. Our hotel, La Mirande, was the perfect place for just that. As one final send off for our wonderful French vacation, here’s how we spent the day in Avignon and at the La Mirande hotel.

Explore Within the Medieval Walls

We arrived at the Avignon Train Station to drop off our rental car fairly early. Our first greeting to this historical city was our Uber getting nearly stuck in the tiny streets within the medieval walls. We checked in at La Mirande, dropped off our bags, and began our day. One of Avignon’s claims to fame is that it was the seat of the papacy between 1309 and 1377. Although the pope’s presence has long since transferred to Naples and the Vatican, its influence remains. The Palais des Papes, the former papal residence, takes up most of the historic square and is the most visited site in Avignon. La Mirande is just across the street, and we were greeted by incredible palace views from our hotel room. The Palais des Papes also offers an extensive public garden and park with stunning views of the Rhône.

Check In To La Mirande

After an entire morning of exploring Avignon, we looked forward to checking in at our hotel. The site of La Mirande once hosted a cardinal palace in the 14th century. During the 17th century, ruins were used to create a hotel, and it has been one ever since, although under a few different names. Currently owned by the Stein family, they conducted extensive research to recreate the aesthetic of an 18th century aristocratic residence. I may not be an expert on that particular point in European history, but I think they did a spectacular job! Each room, both the private rooms and common spaces, are filled with stunning fabrics and vintage wallpapers. However, even with that grandeur, it still wonderfully lived in, like we were coming home to a family estate instead of a luxury hotel. That truly is a testament to how wonderful the staff and I could recommend La Mirande solely on them alone.

Relax With Afternoon Tea

One of the elements I was looking forward to most at La Mirande was their afternoon tea service. Although the hotel was at full occupancy, we felt we had the entire place to ourselves and sincerely enjoyed having a cocktail in the atrium. We sat in the salon for tea time and indulged our sweet tooth with their beloved cheesecake and marble pound cake. The doors to their courtyard were open, letting an incredible breeze wander through the room. This room, in particular, gave me so much interior inspiration. I couldn’t help but take hundreds of photos of the antiques, fabrics, and patterns used throughout the hotel. Afterward, we went back to our room and took our sweet time getting ready for dinner.

Dinner at a Michelin Starred Restaurant

When you visit La Mirande, you not only enjoy a luxury hotel, but you can also take advantage of a Michelin starred restaurant just steps away. For our last evening in France, we had a table for two on the garden terrace. The cuisine is described by Chef Florent Pietravalle as ‘light and tasty,’ using organic produce and regional wines. Everything about this meal was suburb from start to finish. There’s not one thing I would change about the entire experience.

And just like that, our trip to France was over. The twelve days, split between Paris and Provence, were magical. It felt like a second honeymoon for David and me. The icing on the cake was the final night in Avignon and our stay at La Mirande. Thank you so much for following along on my European adventures, and stay tuned for some Manhattan content.

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.

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.