A Sunny Lunch at Le Plongeoir, Nice

We flew into Nice, France, and stayed a few days. Recent articles on Nice had mentioned that Nice was experiencing a renaissance since covid. It has been about 15 years since we were here last, and the time was right for another visit. We stayed in Vieux Nice, home for 20,000 people, and now a UNESCO World Heritage Site. We ate well, strolled the famed Promenade des Anglais along the water, and took in the Monday brocante (flea) market.

A few days later we drove and stayed at the picturesque port and small town of Cassis, along the Côte d’Azur. Enough time for an evening dinner along the port, and to take in the Wednesday market there. A quick stop at Domaine du Paternel for wine tasting. This area is known for gorgeous white wines.

Above Cassis is the start of the Route des Crètes, one of the most scenic routes along the highest cliffs in France which allows to you view the coastline and out to the Mediterranean sea. Breathtaking!

Picturesque Cassis Port

Market Day at Place Richelme in Aix-en-Provence

On to Aix-en-Provence for a day and night. A vibrant university town with magnificent architecture and a grand wide boulevard called Cours Mirabeau. We had one of our most memorable and delicious lunches at Les Vielles Canailles at this tiny little restaurant, know for the talented chef and extensive wine list.

Hiking at the Gardon du Gorges, A UNESCO Biosphere

After almost a week in France, we rolled into our village around Uzès. So happy to be here again, to further explore our area, work on our little mas, and search for decorating treasures from brocantes and flea markets.

It is not all work, we have taken time out for market days, long lunches, and one day we hiked part of the Gardon du Gorges. It is an incredible gorge carved over time by the Gardon River. Steep cliffs, rushing river water, and natural landscape have earned this protected pristine gorge a UNESCO World Heritage Biosphere site.

My New Wall Sconce, Upper Left, for the Living Room

Sharing with you the vintage sconce I found for our salon, living room, stone wall. Small, delicate, a perfect size. It is French, and pre-World War II. It cleaned up beautifully, and adds a touch of elegance to our rustic room.

Our Neighbor’s Beautiful Stone House

It is beautiful here in the autumn. My neighbor’s vine-covered stone house is a site to relish in the fall.

Bon Appétit et Bon Weekend from France…Bonnie

One Of My Favorite Perfumes

One can enjoy a little Paris, everyday, simply by dabbing a little French perfume on your neck, wrists, and décolletage. In fact, it is one of my 25 suggestions in an earlier post, Finding Your Frenchness. Have a signature perfume. If one signature scent is not enough for you, have one for daytime and one for evening, or one for spring/summer and one for fall/winter.

Miss Dior was my signature perfume in high school that I loved to wear. I loved the fresh floral scent, yet never knew all of the fascinating history behind this fragrance. Rekindling my love for this fragrance came from two recent events. The first, was watching the Apple TV+ series, The New Look (2024), which tells the story of Christian Dior’s couture journey during Nazi Paris, opening his own couture house, and his famous debut of “The New Look” his ultra-feminine collection for women in 1947 that gave hope, beauty, and spirit once again to the world. The second, was reading the book, Miss Dior (2021) by Justine Picardie, specifically about Christian Dior’s younger sister, Catherine.

Catherine Dior’s story is fascinating. Christian and Catherine Dior were always very close. Catherine Dior was Christian Dior’s muse, and whom the fragrance, Miss Dior, is named after. She was the only member of their family to be at his couture house the day his “The New Look” collection was presented to Paris and the world. The fragrance of Miss Dior had been created, but not released yet on the market. His couture house was filled with a preview of Miss Dior fragrance scent wafting in the air that momentous day.

Christian Dior’s inspiration for his fragrance, “Miss Dior” was remembering his mother’s garden full of roses and exactly how it smelled. Lily of the Valley scent is prominent in the fragrance too, as he thought of it as his “good luck” flower. Each of his designs had a small Lily of the Valley discreetly sewn into the garment.

Christian Dior and his couture designs became world famous virtually overnight. At one point in his career, he was responsible for 50% of France’s exports. Catherine Dior’s life was humble, courageous, and always tied to flowers. She joined the French Resistance during World War II, was captured by the Nazi’s, tortured, and survived years in a concentration camp. She was honored and recognized by France for her service and bravery. After the war ended, and after she had time to heal physically, socially, and spiritually, for a few years she had a cut flower business in Paris. Preferring to be a rose cultivator, she moved to South France near Grasse, Provence, and lived in the rustic family home she inherited from her father, where he had lived later in his life. She helped Christian Dior cultivate the specific roses he needed for his fragrance. She still tended her beloved roses, close to age 90, and up until shortly before her death.

Christian Dior had an untimely death of heart failure in Italy at age 52. He left everything to Catherine Dior. Although Christian Dior was very successful, he employed 1,000 people at that time and was one million “1957” dollars in debt. He had bought a lovely huge estate in Provence he was renovating, as well as a new apartment in the Paris 16th arrondissement. Catherine Dior took on the task of selling the properties to pay off his debts, ensure his name and business would endure, and started the first Christian Dior museum in Normandy on the property where the entire Dior family had once lived and prospered before their father went bankrupt and fell onto hard times.

There is a Christian Dior museum in Paris called La Galerie Dior, at 11 Rue François 1er, Paris France. It is part history, and part testament, to Christian Dior and his six successors, and their visionary Parisian haute couture. It is closed on Tuesdays, and you must get tickets in advance. It is on my list for next time I am in Paris.

With all of the incredible history behind the Miss Dior fragrance, it makes it so much more special wearing it. I love knowing that it is so garden-oriented, so rose-oriented, and really so love-oriented.

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“MON PETIT CHOU” CORNER

Two Of The Three, Clear Stain Glass Windows

I am selling three clear stained glass windows and a glass etching. These were in our home when we bought our property, and probably from a previous owner’s remodel in the 1980’s. They would be perfect for someone’s garden shed or a “she” shed. The clear stained glass have wood frames, which would probably have to be re-framed. The etching below is glass with no frame. Pick up only, no shipping.

Stained Glass Windows Dimensions are 62.5” long x 26.5” wide. Price is $75.00 for each window.

Etching is 32” high x 24” wide. Price is $75.00

If you have an interest in any of these, please email or call me at (tel) (760) 402-7600. Thank you.

Glass Etching With Woodland & Deer Setting

Wishing You A Great Week & Bastille Day July 14….Bonnie

Buying Pillows in Uzès, France

My husband, John, and I last summer bought a little stone house dating back to 1850, in a little village outside of Uzès, France. Officially in the Gard Department, it is often considered the very western part Provence, about 25 miles from Avignon.

It was a dream of ours that somehow got tucked away for twenty years. A yearning for more of Europe and a thinking of a “next chapter,” back in July 2022, we started looking online at properties in South France.

It was my task mainly to find this dream house and property for us. I started searching online in the Languedoc area, as suggested by friends. A very personal choice, somehow, something felt missing, and it occurred to me that from all of our travels and familiarity with Provence, that maybe we should be focusing on an area closer to Provence.

I was looking for a charming little stone house, old—but moderately updated. I didn’t want a lot of property to keep up, but perhaps a few flowerbeds and an outdoor terrace. It had to be in the countryside in a smaller village, and with great access to airports and trains. It had to have a lot of potential to decorate in a rustic, simple style. It had to be in an area that had vineyards, colorful markets, festivals, and a lot going on. I had a very clear vision of this house in my head.

Mas de Manion Needing A Gardener’s Touch

On our May 2023 trip to France, time had run out. John and I were driving back to Barcelona in two days to catch our plane home to California. I remember thinking vividly, “okay, this is not going to happen this year.” The very next day we found the listing, by pure luck. We were visiting a small village market, new to us, and saw a small real estate office off of the market square. I had a feeling about this house from the very first time I saw the photo and listing in the real estate office window. VILLAGE HOUSE FOR SALE. MAS, RARE. It was meant to be.

Mas in French means farmhouse. Barely 800 square feet in size, it is a charming little house with a kitchen, living room, and one bedroom and bathroom upstairs. A pied à terre. A small outdoor terrace connects the main house to a separate studio, which was originally the tiny barn where they kept animals. Mature landscape was there, yet overgrown, but nothing that a little pruning and gardening attention could easily remedy.

“Cooking Up a Storm” at Mas de Manion

This area of France is very beautiful. There are lots of vineyards, farms, little charming villages, black truffles, and even magnificent Roman ruins. I can’t say enough!

John Happy To Explore The Vineyards Around Uzès & Beyond

The Roman Aqueduct Masterpiece, Pont du Gard, Is Close To Our Village

The Stunning French Countryside This Spring Outside of Uzès

For those of you who have big dreams of something in your life. My advice to you is, “chase it” and not tuck it away. Do it now. You won’t regret it!

Bon Appétit et Bon Weekend…Bonnie

Provence Lavender

Many have tried to define the magic of Provence, but it is not one single thing, it is many, many glorious things together.

“Provence is one of the great garden destinations of the world. It is a special place where the beauty of its natural landscape has magically mingled with civilizations for centuries, and the beauty keeps on radiating.” —Bonnie Jo Manion

Bon Appétit et Bon Weekend…Bonnie

Lunch time in L'Isle-sur-la-Sorgue With New Friend

Outdoor cafes and restaurants are virtually a way of life and extremely important for socializing with friends and beasts. Some friends are invited and some just make their way to your table. You hardly can go wrong, taking in a moment to yourself, a refreshment, a possible bite to eat, and a chance to catch up with your day.

Cafe Time in Aix-en-Provence

Take a beautiful outdoor cafe, mix in a bit of sunshine and fresh air, add a steaming cup of espresso, and viola, your day is made.

One of the most beautiful and impressive places to sit in a cafe and experience the "cafe life" is on Cours Mirabeau in Aix-en-Provence. It is often called the Avenue des Champs-Elysees of the south. This grand boulevard with its massive plane trees and ancient moss-covered trickling fountains was first laid out in 1651. Nearly 400 years later, it still is a wonderful boulevard to sit at an outdoor cafe, and just experience life. I suggest the famous cafe, Le Deux Garcons towards the top of the grand boulevard.

Self-Photo at Roman Pont du Gard

This Roman aqueduct, Pont du Gard, has stood the test of time for more than 2,000 years and ticking. How utterly unbelievable. Although the Pont du Gard attracts over 1 million visitors a year, with nary a person in sight, we had to resort to a self-photo. The Pont du Guard was built to transport water across the Gardon River Valley, starting at a spring outside Uzes nearly 30 miles away, to the Roman city of Nimes. The Pont du Guard consists of three levels, the top one was where water was transported, and the first level actually was used as a road. It is estimated that it took 800-1,000 workers about three years to construct it. There was no mortar used in building this engineering masterpiece.

Roman Pont Julien, Near Bonnieux

Pont Julien is a small three-arched perfectly preserved Roman bridge, tucked away in the valley floor, just before the rising hilltop village of Bonnieux. It is also more than 2,000 years old, and up until 1995 was still used for traffic. Since then a new bridge has been constructed next to it. Pont Julien was named after the family of Julius Caesar. It was part of the ancient Roman trade road that linked the Alps to the Pyrenees, through the south of Gaul.

Secret Roman Ruins Outside of Aix-en-Provence

If you are intrigued by the Romans and their influence on Provence, create a "Romans in Provence" itinerary visiting Nimes, Arles, Vaison-la Romaine, Orange, Saint-Remy, to name a few places to get you started. Some Roman marvels are well known, and some are much less known. You simply happen upon them along your travels.

Spice Vendor, Lourmarin Friday Market, Provence

The photo above is of the lively Friday morning market in Lourmarin, also the village where famed English author, Peter Mayle, who wrote A Year in Provence and other novels, calls home.

One of my very favorite things to do when traveling is to frequent the local markets. As a matter of fact, I plan my itinerary around the flea markets, antique markets, fresh produce markets, bird markets, flower markets, etc. Markets are so colorful, and give you a real slice of local people, life, culture, and ambience. Markets are very lively and the vendors often very outgoing and playful types.

Markets are a way of life, especially in Provence, France. Locals shop frequently for fresh ingredients and produce, rather then once a week or every two weeks. The markets are held different days in different villages, and often specialize in certain items. Usually a guidebook, or articles on a particular market will divulge which "must have" items to seek out. Also, the month you are traveling may determine what is in season, and what to purchase. In Provence, cherries are a delectable treat in May, and lavender is in full bloom in July.

One of the "must have" items for me, are spices. I love to collect and buy spices whenever I travel. Each country has their cuisine and flavors, and what better way to relive your trip and experiences then making their local dishes and recipes, with local spices you have purchased there. Spices are easy to pack, and usually have a long shelf life. Spices are a small splurge, and a small effort to take home for memorable times long after your trip. They also make wonderful, reasonable gifts for loved ones, and especially for those who like to cook.

Produce Is Elevated To Art Form

In Provence, its wonderful markets are brimming with Provence cheese, black olive tapenades, lavender honey, flowers, olive oils, wonderful hand-made sausage, local crafts, colorful Provence linens, hand-made pottery, delightful breads, and seasonal fresh fruit and vegetables. When you are here, take advantage of these incredible foods and flavors and experience Provence. You must pick up some famous "Herbes de Provence" which usually consists of dried thyme, basil, savory, fennel, and lavender.

Provence outdoor markets are a treat for all of your senses with colors, aromas, tastes, and people-watching. Some of my favorite markets in Provence are the Tuesday: Vaison-la Romaine, Thursday: Nyons, Saturday: Apt, Sunday: L'Isle-sur-la-Sorgue.

Plane Trees In Cucuron

One does not travel and explore Provence, especially if you are a gardener, without noticing its beautiful and awed plane trees. Plane trees are found everywhere in Provence. They line its country roads, often approaching and leaving a town or village. They are a focal point in many a family's courtyard, providing umbrella-like shade, and a spot to place an inviting outdoor table. They are often strategically planted in village centers and town squares. They can create a majestic and impressive grand boulevard style in their maturity and beautiful foliage.

Plane trees are the type of tree, in maturity, that create their own environment. They can reach 100 feet tall or more. Plane trees can be shaped and groomed into a variety of shapes, and provide welcome shade, especially in the warmer months of the year. Plane trees were planted prolifically, because they were a durable tree to population pollution, grew quickly, provided excellent shade, looked beautiful, required little water, and could be planted in poor soil.

Provence plane trees are a hybrid of the Asian and American sycamore trees. They were created, quite by accident out of Oxford, England in the 16th century. In the 19th century, plane trees were imported to Southern France, and planted extensively. Napoleon was responsible for extensive planting of plane trees throughout Southern France, for the purpose of keeping his marching army cool, under their great green canopies.

Tops of Plane Trees In Gigondas

Wouldn't it be wonderful to live in a region, like Provence, where plane trees are so prolific, so enduring, and so much a part of the charming character of the countryside. Plane trees are yet another reason, why the Provence countryside is so endearing.