Its finally summer

Yesterday i heard the first sounds of the cicadas singing, this confirms the ground is warming up as causing them to hatch, typically this happens when the temperature rises to 30 degrees as it is today. At times the noise can be deafening! But it is very Provencal. 

All Change

Saturdays  are always our busiest day with changeovers, today our guests from New Zealand, Canada and England depart whilst we prepare for new guests from England & Scotland who will arrive to enjoy the Lavender 

Fabulous Produce!

  June is a delicious month! 

Strawberries, Melons, peaches and Nectarines are in abundance! 

As are asparagus & radishes, tomatoes and of course garlic! 

Roussillon - A must visit whilst in the Luberon!

The ocre-red village of Roussillon, one of the 'Plus Beaux Villages of France' is a popular  tourist destination just a short drive from Saint Saturnin Les apt. 

 Roussillon is a beautiful village, with its red rocks, red stone buildings and red tile roofs.

Roussillon is lovely from the outside, set in a deep green pine forest on bright red-ocre hills. Roussillon is even more spectacular inside the village, with the colorful old buildings and narrow medieval streets. The village center is fairly small, so wandering the streets to discover the many lovely sites doesn't take very long. Take enough time for a beer or coffee in the square and watch life go by.

Head to the top by past the church where there are great views of Mont Ventoux and take the walk into the Sentier des Ocres to get a real flavour of the colours of the ground and formations.

Coming soon - The Tour de France

The 100th Tour de France will be heading up Mont Ventoux on Bastille Day, July 14th and we shall be there to watch.

The stage covers over 240 kilometres with the gruelling end at the top of Ventoux at 1912 metres.

We were very impressed by Richard, one of our gite clients who cycled up from Bedion to the top in abt 2 hours, a fantastic achievement on a pretty hot day.

Susan, Richard's wife was there as support and to meet him at the top, here Richard has taken a short pause at the memorial to Tommy Simpson.

We are ideally located for cycling, whether you prefer the flat route adjacent to the River Callavon 

or for the real enthusiasts the challenge of Ventoux.

Colourful house signs

Available in the St Saturnin Les Apt Tuesday maket Martine makes these colourful signs by hand.

They are on lave rock , the coloured glaze is then added and then baked. A perfect gift or  memory of your stay in Provence.

Bumper Olive Crop?

The last two years have been disapointing for our Olive Trees with our harvest dropping from 250 kilos in 2010 to 49 kilos  in 2011 and just 19 kilos in 2012.

Signs are encouraging this year as these buds show - watch this space for progress.

La Coquillade -the new Bistrot restaurant

Many of our clients have enjoyed meals in both the Gourmet restaurant, which now has a Michelin star and the Bistrot, which in high summer is set outside amongst the vines.

Last week we ate at the new Bistrot restaurant which has been built over the winter period.

It now boasts a large and impressive indoor dining room with huge glass doors, which can be opened up to maximise the  view and open feeling or for the hotter nights the eating area in the vines remains.

The menu is priced at 34€ with 3 courses, or there is a la carte which is more expensive. 

Wines from the vineyard Aureto are excellent and reasonably priced for the quality.

What makes Coquillade stand out is the surroundings, high up with amazing views over the vines and Luberon countryside, the staff are friendy and effecient and the whole environment exudes quality of a 'demeure prestige 5 star hotel'. We continue to enjoy and recommend to our clients.

L'Estrade in Saint Saturnin Les Apt, Luberon, Provence

As most of our guests will know, L'Estrade is one of our favourite restaurants and we are very fortunate that it is within walking distance of our houses and gites. 

What differentiates it to others?

The Ambience and 'blackboard' menu that changes almost daily are just two highlights.

Anne Laurence is the chef and creates really tasty home cooked food, there are always 5 or 6 starters including local seasonal produce and half a dozen main courses including one or two fish choices and a vegetarian option.

Leave space for the home made desserts especially the  Tarte Tatin

Out front is Gaelle who keeps everything in order, speaking good English and keeping the wine flowing helped during busy times by Natalie.

The restaurant is cosy seating about 20 covers and you are sure to strike up a conversation with someone from somewhere in the world!

It is sensibly priced, relaxed and welcoming and we are sure you will enjoy, bookings recommended - open Wednesday to Sunday.

Boys and their toys!

I got some strange looks when taking photos of this work going on in Apt but it really was quite fascinating, even Karen agread! Whats interesting is that even with France in a recession the amount of money being spent on the roads around here is incredible, everywhere you turn there are new pavements, changes in the routes through the towns- Apt and Cavaillon of note both of which will be superb when completed and even our dear village is having the treatment with new drains, pavements and road surfaces - its just a shame its all taking so long! now that is French! the 35 hour week including  the obligitory lunch break combined with some rather untipical weather has delayed work just a tad!

Impressive machines made in Germany of course

The new pavements are complted lined with new plane trees, just the road surfaces to go.

Fete de Mere - mothers day!

A rare visit, due to work comitments,  from my son Richard, perfectly timed on French mothers day !

He kindly took us to Coquillade which remains one of our favourite resaurants.

LATE AVAILABILITY

We have had a late cancellation at Les Cypres from June 22nd to July 6th so if you fancy a week or two lazing by the pool we are offering discounted rates.

The Luberon Jazz Festival

Great live music coming to the Luberon next weekend 

Strange weather

Our weather of late has been coming from Spain, warm southerly winds drawing moisture bringing exceptional rain fall notably over the last week as much as 10 centimetres. It has also given dramatic skies as the front moved away last night the returning sunshine gave not one but two  rainbows.

Food glorious food!

Another visit to Le Bistrot de Lagarde which did not dissapoint, but it is becoming increasingly popular so booking is essential, just part of the service we offer.

Sometimes we can sneak a table that others cannot! 

May, the perfect month for walking

April & May are two fabulous months for walking and cycling in Provence.

There are spring flowers, blue skies and comfortable temperatures.

Karen, Martin and I walked last week to the Bories at Aiguiers Grognards, 

about 10 kilometres the walk departs from the chateau in St Saturnin Les Apt 

 following high above Chemin de Romanet. 

Garden work at Le Chene

In preparation for the season there are always jobs to do.

When we first planted the garden at Le Chene in 2009 the row of white roses were fabulous.

But sadly each year they have deteriorated, so time to re-plant.

Having removed the roses and the roots time to add some good new soil.

Before planting the new hedge of 'Laurier Rose'

Job done - lets hope we have more success,

 we shall need to wrap them up over winter to survive the frost and snow.

Another great restaurant

In the tiny village of Reilhanette, on the borders of the Drome and Vaucluse, (see report below) the restaurant l`Oustau de la Font; Christophe serving front of house has spent many years in the USA and speaks excellent English and has a real eye for detail.
Everything is just right, spotlessly clean, nice tableware, cutlery and glasses.
Well presented food, Karen loved her Veloute of Asparagus with olive oil ice cream whilst the plat de jour is excellent value at 10.50 for duck on the day we visited.
They have set menus covering a wide price range or the a la carte was unusally good value.
The wine list is vast and very well priced with plenty of choice around the 20 Euro mark.
Finally the views are stunning looking out on Montbrun Les Bains - go and enjoy!

A hidden Gem!

Last week we took a drive North to explore a small village recommended by one of our gite clients and wow- what a beautiful place it is.

From Saint Saturnin Les Apt take the route to Sault taking in the spectacular view on Mont Ventoux.

From Sault follow the signs to Montbrun Les Bains, a short way before turn left for Reilhanette. 

This is the village of Reilhanette where you should stop, walk to the top where there are great views and a picnic area. We also discovered the restaurant L'Oustau de la Font , stop and have a coffee here - we returned for lunch!

Drive on and you will see this great view of the North face of Mont Ventoux rising to almost 2000 metres.

The tiny village of Savoillan , again stop here and try the Boulangerie, the bread oven is almost 100 years old

Then head to the Medieval village of Brantes, with its old stone houses and just 65 residents ! Follow the signed walk and as well as the church there is a small restaurant serving salads etc and the most amazing views.

Dating back to 1684 the church is delightful.

A very peaceful setting indeed!

meander through the cobbled streets

Karen studying one of the wall plaques that explains about the plant species growing out of the walls

Another one of the commerces, the auberge in the village is a very popular lunch spot

Plenty of out side space and much needed especially in summer this is a popular stopping point.

The village school, in 2004 it had nine  pupils and one teacher! It was built in 1896.

Fabulous blossoms!

Gorgeous white & soft pink blossom is in abundance in the Luberon.

As regular as ever the cherry  trees burst into colour from about the 8th of April, yes it is as accurate as that! 

Another feature of April in the Luberon is the arrival of many artists coming to paint the scenery.

And it is also a perfect month for walking and cycling amongst the fabulous landscapes.

It looks like we will have good cherries this year!

Its not to early to reserve your holiday for next April!

A cherry pickers trolly & table.

Does that not look the perfect place to live!