A Morning in Ménerbes
📍 Ménerbes, France

Tank || Skirt (Similar) || Similar Sandals || Similar Clutch || Sunglasses || Earrings

I think I’ve finally found my ideal morning routine while in Provence. I would get up with the sunrise and watch the day begin from our sweet hotel balcony. After a very French breakfast of croissants, cheeses, and coffee, we would hit the road in our little rental car to explore a nearby town. I had a general idea of where in the area I wanted to see, but it’s such a liberating feeling to hop in the car to see where the day takes you. On our first day of exploring, our destination was Ménerbes, a tiny commune about 15 minutes from our hotel. Here’s a quick look at our lovely morning in Ménerbes, France.

Coffee at Café du Progrès

Even though we already had breakfast at our hotel, we needed a second cup of coffee to get going with the day. I had heard that the views from Café du Progrès were stunning and wanted to see them for myself. With an expresso in hand, we could admire the views of the valley and watch the small town come alive. I wish we could have visited in the afternoon because this café also serves as the town’s wine bar and is where locals like to unwind after the work day.

Explore the Village Center

With a population of only 900, you’ll be surprised to find so much to explore in town. After our cup of coffee, we wandered through the streets and daydreamed about a life in Provence. Since the shops have yet to open, it felt like we had the whole town to ourselves. We stumbled upon their quaint town hall and continued our exploration to Eglise Saint Luc. Since this small church is at the very top of a hill, we had sweeping views on the entire Luberon region. As we walked back down, the shops began to open and the day officially could begin. We wandered through the boutiques and even picked up some provisions from the market to enjoy when got home.

Lunch in Oppède

We decided to take a long way home and hopefully explore one more village before enjoying time at the pool. We had our GPS set for Oppède, and off we went. There are two distinct parts to this town. While I wanted to see the historic village, it was up a very steep hill, and we just weren’t confident our little rental could make it. Instead, we opted for lunch in the town center at Bistro de Pays Les Pouilvets. Since no one there spoke English, I was able to practice my French skills and felt pretty accomplished doing it. This restaurant was such an unexpected delight! I think about the salad I ordered almost daily.

And just like that, our first morning in Ménerbes came to an end. We drove by seemingly endless lavender fields and vineyards as we wandered back to our hotel in Gordes. Provence is truly a special place, and I feel fortunate to have experienced it firsthand. I wonder what town we’ll get to explore next!

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.

Our Stay in Gordes, France
📍 Gordes, France

Dress || Similar Sandals || Similar Clutch || Sunglasses || Earrings

After so much hustle and bustle during our staying in Paris, I was really looking forward to Provence. As soon as our train made it to Avignon is when vacation truly began. We rented a car and headed east to our home for the next few days, Gordes. I knew I would love it, but this charming little village greatly exceeded my wildest expectations. I know I say this about every destination we explore, but I’m daydreaming about a vacation home here in the near future. To help inspire your wanderlust, here’s a recap on our stay in Gordes, France.

Why Gordes?

With so many beautiful towns in Provence, it can seem like a daunting task to pick the right one for your stay. Some will be tempted to hop from town to town and have a different hotel each night, but that can be exhausting. Instead, I recommend finding one destination to serve as a home base during your stay. Why did I pick Gordes? Well, there were a few different reasons. For one, the town was centrally located in the Luberon region. Within 15 or 20 minutes, you’ll find yourself in the next town to explore. Even better, the view of and from Gordes is stunning. Think of it as something to look forward to as you explore Provence.

Exploring Gordes Village

If you skip exploring Gordes village, you are missing out! This hilltop village is rated as one of the most beautiful towns in the Vaucluse region. It’s incredibly picturesque and is the perfect example of architecture in Provence. With narrow winding streets, there is so much to see and drink in. A hidden gem inside the town is Eglise Saint-Firmin. Constructed in the 18th century, the interior tile work is incredible. They’re undergoing some restoration, but I can’t wait to see this church return to its original beauty. Just down the street is the homemade pottery store, Souleo È Provence. They have so many beautiful designs, but it was the grey floral oil bottle that I decided to bring home. It was the perfect souvenir for our time at Gordes and something I’ll cherish for years to come.

Airelles La Bastide

We ended up splitting our time between two hotels while staying in Gordes. The first was Airelles La Bastide. This luxury hotel company has a few locations throughout France and doesn’t spare any detail. Located in the heart of Gordes village, you feel like a world away as soon as you walk into this historic building. After a day of sunning yourself at the pool, enjoy the view with a few rounds of cocktails at The Bar. While everything on the menu was good, my personal favorite was the Provence. With locally sourced lavender liqueur and strawberries, it’s a refreshing drink you’ll want to sip all evening. 

Hôtel Le Jas de Gordes

Our second stay while in Gordes was the Hôtel Le Jas. Located just outside the village, it was a perfectly pristine respite after a full day of exploring the region. It felt like an extended spa day with relaxing fountains and only the sound of the wind to listen to. From our room’s balcony, we took in the view of the valley with a bottle of local wine to end our evenings. The pool area was definitely a highlight, and I can’t wait for a return visit. It felt like home!

Our first town in Provence, Gordes, was a marked success! It was the perfect start to exploring the region, and I simply cannot recommend it enough! What’s our next stop? You’ll just have to see it on Monday.

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.

Provence France Style
📍 Avignon, France

Dress (Similar) || Similar Sandals || Similar Clutch || Hat || Earrings || Lipstick

Trends come and go, but every once in a while, you stumble upon one that really speaks to you. When I first came across Coastal Grandmother, I instantly knew we had a winner. It was an easy jumping-off point from the previously loved Grand-Millennial aesthetic and incorporated most of what I already had in my closet. The linens and breezy silhouettes were perfect for our recent trip to Provence. With the warm temperatures and windy afternoon, comfort is absolutely key! Here are four key outfits that are right at home in the South of France and the Hamptons.

Sun Hat || Swimsuit || Pareo || Sandals || Sunscreen || Book

Relaxing by the Pool

Apart from exploring the Provencal towns, I looked forward to some pool time at our hotel the most. This white one-piece swimsuit was so chic and incredibly flattering. Paired with my Sarah Bray sun hat and go-to sunscreen, I had great coverage from the sun. When I need a little break from relaxation and my latest book, I would just slip on my raffia sandals and pareo to pick up a glass or two of local Luberon wine.

Sleeveless Shirt || Pants || Similar Scarf || Sunglasses || Handbag || Sandals

Antiquing at the Brocante

The Provence region, particularly L’isle de la Sorgue, is world-known for its antiquing opportunities. With so many brocante shops in the area, you’ll be tempted to purchase a suitcase worth of vintage goodies. Some of these shops can be warm inside, so I recommend wearing an outfit that will help keep you cool. The sleeveless button-down and linen pant combo has become a fast favorite, even since I came home from paradise. A printed scarf and vintage-inspired sunglasses are perfect for even the sunniest days. Finally, opt for a cross-body bag to peruse and shop hands-free.

Dress (Similar) || Sun Hat || Sunglasses || Tote Bag ||
Flats ($50 off with code SARAHFLINT-BAKATIE)

Exploring the Vineyard

As our adventures continued in Provence, I was so happy to have lunch reservations at one of the nearby vineyards in Fontvieille. I wore my breeziest Hill House dress to stay comfortable in the warm sun. It was the right choice, and I still have some pretty intense tan lines to prove it! Even with my Sarah Bray sun hat and vintage-inspired sunglasses, the sun can be pretty intense in Southern France. I knew we would have a lot of walking and wandering through the property, so I wanted to wear shoes with a bit more structure and support. My Sarah Flint Natalie flats were the perfect pick for the job. With an oversized rattan tote bag, like this one from Breck & Grier, you’ll have extra room for your souvenirs.

Dress || Lipstick || Earrings || Clutch || Wedges

Date Night With a View

The town we were staying in had one of the most breathtaking views of the region that you could imagine. We had a pretty relaxed date night overlooking the valley on our final evening. This linen midi dress was maybe my favorite dress of the entire trip. It’s incredibly flattering and made me feel like a modern rendition of Belle from Beauty in the Beast. The town of Gordes is situated on a hillside. There are so many hills and steps, so wearing heels would be treacherous. Instead, I wore a pair of espadrille wedges to help elevate the look. Add a few raffia touches, like statement earrings and a clutch, and you’ll be ready for a romantic evening for two.

Coastal Grandmother and Grand Millennial, meet Provencal Chic! I think the three of you are going to get along splendidly! And if you just so happen to find yourself planning a trip to Provence, France, consider this style your unofficial packing guide. Happy traveling!

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.