A Day in Provence

We had another fabulous day in Provence and I can’t wait to share. But first I will answer all your questions about this trip!

I booked this shopping trip to Provence with Tracey Leber at French Larkspur. She has been hosting small groups for years and it’s been great because all we had to do is show up. She has planned everything!

A Day in Provence

The easiest way to answer all of your questions is to first share what a typical day is like on our trip.

We are staying in Apt, a city in the Luberon region, in the most incredible apartments which have a kitchen and everything you might need for the week.

We start every morning when we open our door to find an adorable handmade vintage bag filled with fresh croissants. There is fresh coffee in our room (with french cream of course) and are out the door and ready to explore at 9:00am. (On the two big flea market days we start earlier … 7:00 am on Saturday and 8:00 am on Sunday.)

We have a large van with a driver and our first stop is always the ATM in case anyone needs cash (which is what you need to shop at the markets and flea markets).

Each day is already planned for us, although Tracey does a great job accommodating our group based on things such as our interests and weather. Speaking of weather, it was 108 degrees today, so we ate lunch inside for the first time (in air conditioning) and did a lot less walking uphill!

Lunch every day is at 1:00 pm and so far the meals have been really good! The cost for lunch is estimated at €50 but I have averaged about €25 (no wine at lunch!).

The villages we have visited are about 20 – 30 minutes away and we often make stops as the scenery is unbelievable.

Each day includes shopping and touring and lots of opportunities for photographing the beauty of Provence. Tracey has amazing relationships with vendors and has already made reservations and arrangements for stores to be open for us. She has scheduled special stops at wonderful vintage shops, a shop to find vintage fabrics, and of course the two big flea markets on Saturday and Sunday.

Plus most days we also visit a weekly food and artisan market or a brocante in one of the towns nearby.

Also, it is important to note that when we have heavy bags, our amazing driver carries them to the car as we shop. And yes, we actually use french market bags to carry our treasures! How great is that?

As far as getting items home, we have already stopped and purchased bubble wrap and boxes (if they are needed) but we all packed a suitcase within a suitcase so we can pack most of our items in our luggage. We also brought a carry-on suitcase which will be used solely for breakables on the return home. On Monday, our last day, we will pack up any items that need to be shipped home.

Our day ends around 4:00 pm and although I never imagined it, we have yet to go out to dinner. Wait, what? It’s true!

Instead, we have enjoyed relaxing in our apartments and dining on items we have picked up from the open markets. And yes, a baguette and lots of amazing french cheese are a big part of our menu

We have really enjoyed relaxing in the evenings, writing blog posts, and unwrapping all of our purchases! I am still not settled with jet lag and I hope tonight I will be able to fall asleep easier and get more hours of sleep!

Fortunately, it’s not hard to wake up for vintage shopping, even if I have been asleep for only a few hours.

Today in Provence and the Treasures I Found

Today was another fun day. We started at a large weekly food and artisan market in Lourmarin.

I bought a few fun items at the artisan market.

These handmade bowls are my favorite color and will work perfectly for entertaining in the beach house.

I tasted these homemade jams and the Pear with Vanilla jam is out of this world I am pretty sure you will see me trying to make this in the fall which will likely be about the time I think my jars will be empty!

While in Lourmarin, we visited the most incredible vintage shop and I purchased some exquisite linen napkins. There were only three sets of linen napkins in the entire store, and when I picked up the first set of 10, I noticed they had my initials on them!

I bought them immediately, and just so you know, ten vintage embroidered napkins only cost €30. What a bargain!

Can you believe they are embroidered with LS on them?

Look at this shop! Isn’t it cool?

I also found these glass jars. I love the color and cannot wait to put them on the open shelves in the kitchen at the beach house.

After shopping, we had lunch (indoors in the A/C) and then went sightseeing in Gordes and Oppede-le-Vieux.

Tomorrow, Saturday is the first of the big flea markets and we have not only a big day but also an early start.

We are so excited!

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