• Subscribe Here
  • Contact Me
  • A VILLAGE HOUSE FOR RENT IN PROVENCE
  • The Sunflower Field

Shutters & Sunflowers

Travel tips from an English girl in California, in love with Provence.

  • Home
  • Uzes
    • Visit
    • Stay
    • Eat
    • Activities
    • Nearby
    • Stories
    • At the Terrace restaurant at Hôtel de Caumont, Aix-en-Provence, Bouches-du-Rhône, France

      Restaurants we love in Uzès, Aix-en-Provence & St-Rémy-de-Provence

      Caroline Longstaffe, June 10, 2022
    • Uzès where Shutters and Sunflowers began

      admin, October 4, 2021
    • Shutters of Provence in Lourmarin Provence, France

      The Shutters of Provence

      Caroline Longstaffe, September 10, 2019
    • Speaking at The Pilsudski Institute about the Poles who cracked Enigma

      Caroline Longstaffe, May 2, 2019
  • Lourmarin
    • Visit
    • Stay
    • Eat
    • Activities
    • Nearby
    • Stories
    • Forever in love with Lourmarin

      Caroline Longstaffe, October 1, 2025
    • Our street in Lourmarin, Luberon, Vaucluse, Provence, France

      Lourmarin through the eyes of a child

      Caroline Longstaffe, August 9, 2024
    • Lourmarin, Luberon, Provence, Vaucluse, France

      Carmel, California and Lourmarin, Provence, the places I call home

      Caroline Longstaffe, March 30, 2023
    • A view of Loumrarin, Luberon, Provence, France

      Lourmarin, The Luberon, Provence, Travel guide

      admin, June 21, 2022
  • Around Provence
    • Cities of Provence
    • Luberon
    • Var
    • Bouches-du-Rhône
    • Côte d’Azur
    • Languedoc-Rousillon
    • The Vaucluse
    • Mountains in Serre Chevalier, Les Hautes-Alpes, Provence, France

      A trip to Serre Chevalier in Les Hautes-Alpes

      Caroline Longstaffe, October 15, 2025
    • Outside Maison Empereur, Marseille

      La Maison Empereur, Marseille

      Caroline Longstaffe, June 5, 2025
    • Bassin de L'étang, Cucuron, Luberon, Vaucluse, Provence, France

      Cucuron, la petite village près de Lourmarin

      Caroline Longstaffe, September 16, 2024
    • Moustiers-Sainte-Marie

      Caroline Longstaffe, August 30, 2024
  • Britain
    • London
    • An Hour from London
    • The Cotswolds
    • Yorkshire
    • Scotland
    • Other Places
    • Spring blossoms in Lourmarin

      Spring in Provence, England and Lake Tahoe, California

      Caroline Longstaffe, March 9, 2021
    • Speaking at The Pilsudski Institute about the Poles who cracked Enigma

      Caroline Longstaffe, May 2, 2019
    • The Control Tower at Greenham Common, Nebury, Berkshire, England

      The story of Greenham Common, England

      Caroline Longstaffe, October 12, 2018
    • Front of Blenheim Palace, Woodstock, England, birth place of Sir Winston Churchill

      Blenheim Palace, birth place of Sir Winston Churchill

      Caroline Longstaffe, February 20, 2018
  • Europe
    • France
    • Italy
    • Germany
    • Austria
    • Netherlands
    • Belgium
    • Denmark
    • Mountains of Sestrières, Italian Alps, Italy

      Italian ski resorts of Italy’s Western Alps

      Caroline Longstaffe, October 21, 2025
    • Hôtel de la Beursaudièr, Chablis, France

      Driving through France

      Caroline Longstaffe, August 18, 2022
    • The graves at the Canadien Normandy memorial near Arromanche

      Arromanches and The Memorials of Normandy

      Caroline Longstaffe, June 1, 2022
    • Gold beach, Normandy site of the British troop Landings on D-Day, June 6th 1944

      D-Day: Operation Overlord ~ The Normandy Beaches

      Caroline Longstaffe, May 22, 2022
  • California & USA
    • San Francisco
    • Carmel
    • Napa & Sonoma Wine Country
    • Lake Tahoe
    • The Bay Area
    • Other Places in California
    • Elsewhere in USA
    • Building a house in Carmel-by-the Sea

      Busy building a house in Carmel-by-the-Sea

      Caroline Longstaffe, August 1, 2024
    • The Carmel Mission Basilica, founded in 1770

      The story of Father Junípero Serra and the Carmel Mission

      Caroline Longstaffe, April 16, 2023
    • Lourmarin, Luberon, Provence, Vaucluse, France

      Carmel, California and Lourmarin, Provence, the places I call home

      Caroline Longstaffe, March 30, 2023
    • Crater Lake National Park, Oregon, USA

      Crater Lake ~ the stunning finale to our American Road Trip

      Caroline Longstaffe, July 8, 2021
  • Global
    • New Zealand
    • Australia
    • Turkey
    • Dubai
    • Singapore
    • Clay Cliffs at Omarama, South Island New Zealand

      Days 20-21: South Island New Zealand~Tasman Glacier Lake, Ōmarama, Cromwell & wineries

      Caroline Longstaffe, February 6, 2025
    • On Hooker Trail, Aoraki / Mount Cook, South Island, New Zealand

      Day 19: South Island New Zealand~Mount Cook

      Caroline Longstaffe, February 3, 2025
    • Cardona Hotel, Cardona, South Island, New Zealand

      Day 18: South Island of New Zealand ~ Cardrona & Wanaka

      Caroline Longstaffe, January 26, 2025
    • At mountains where Lord of the Rings and The Hobbit were filmed near Paradise, near Glenorchy, near Queenstown, South Island New Zealand

      Day 17: South Island of New Zealand, Glenorchy, searching for The Hobbit

      Caroline Longstaffe, November 22, 2024
  • Travel Guides
    • A view of Loumrarin, Luberon, Provence, France

      Lourmarin, The Luberon, Provence, Travel guide

      admin, June 21, 2022
    • Plan a stay in Lourmarin, Luberon, Vaucluse, Provence

      Plan a stay in Lourmarin the Luberon, Provence

      Caroline Longstaffe, May 2, 2017
    • Golden Gate Bridge, San Francisco, California

      San Francisco – ‘The City by the Bay’ – Travel Guide

      Caroline Longstaffe, February 27, 2017
    • Carmel-by-the-Sea, California, USA Travel Guide PDF

      Carmel-by-the-Sea, California, Travel Guide

      admin, January 31, 2016
  • Stories of Life
    • Building a house in Carmel-by-the Sea

      Busy building a house in Carmel-by-the-Sea

      Caroline Longstaffe, August 1, 2024
    • View of Lourmarin Village, Luberon, Vaucluse, Provence, France

      A million miles away

      Caroline Longstaffe, May 5, 2022
    • Spring blossoms in Lourmarin

      Spring in Provence, England and Lake Tahoe, California

      Caroline Longstaffe, March 9, 2021
    • Dreaming of Christmas

      Christmas Past, Christmas Present and Christmas yet to come

      Caroline Longstaffe, December 5, 2020
Luberon Valley, Vaucluse, Provence, France
DiscoverLourmarinLuberonNearby LourmarinStay at LourmarinThe VaucluseVisit Lourmarin

Exploring the perched villages of the Luberon Valley from Lourmarin

admin, July 10, 2016

Magical, medieval villages of Provence’s breathtaking Luberon Valley, clustered round a château clinging precariously to the hillside, above a landscape resplendent with vineyards, olive groves, fruit orchards and in the summer, carpets of lavender and dancing sunflowers. Some you may …

Read more 0 Comments
Aix-en-Provence, one of the a cities of Provence, France
Around ProvenceAvignonBouches-du-RhôneCities of ProvenceDiscoverLourmarinLuberonNearby LourmarinNearby UzesThe VaucluseVar

Cities of Provence an hour from Lourmarin

admin, June 22, 2016

Easily reached on a day’s excursion from Lourmarin is the one of the most magnificent cities of Provence, Avignon and vibrant university town of Aix-en-Provence. The Mediterranean coast is a short drive further; Marseilles, and the quaint fishing towns of Bandol and …

Read more 0 Comments
Perched villages of the Luberon, Vaucluse,Provence, France
DiscoverLourmarinLuberonNearby LourmarinThe Vaucluse

Exploring the Luberon from Lourmarin

admin, June 18, 2016

Lourmarin is a great base for exploring Provence’s beautiful Luberon region of the Vaucluse and beyond. Drive through the vineyards, olive groves and fruit orchards, stopping at the local wine château’s as you make your way to explore the fairy tale …

Read more 0 Comments
What to see and do in Lourmarin, Provence
Activities in LourmarinDiscoverLourmarinLuberonThe VaucluseVisit Lourmarin

What to see and do in Lourmarin

admin, June 16, 2016

Lourmarin, charming and captivating, come here and wander through the meandering streets, explore the chic boutiques and galleries and then sit and gaze upon life as you ponder all the things to see and Lourmarin activities before a delicious lunch in …

Read more 1 Comment
Enjoying the pleasures of life in Provence
Around ProvenceBouches-du-RhôneDiscoverLanguedoc-RousillonLourmarinLuberonThe VaucluseUzesVar

Provence, where the pleasures of life abound

admin, June 3, 2016

What is it that consistently draws people to Provence and to the Luberon in particular? What precisely is Provence’s appeal, that special ‘je ne sais quoi’ which make the region so captivating? Aside from its natural beauty, perhaps its enduring …

Read more 0 Comments
Terrace of luxury spa hotel Domaine de Fontinelle, Lauris, Luberon. Provence, France (near Lourmarin)
DiscoverEat in LourmarinLourmarinLuberonNearby LourmarinThe Vaucluse

Where to eat in the Luberon Valley, near Lourmarin

admin, May 26, 2016

Looking for somewhere to eat in the Luberon, not too far from Lourmarin?  As you search you will meander through endless vineyards, orchards, olive groves and at certain times of year, a vibrant carpet of lavender and sunflowers, until you …

Read more 2 Comments
Numero 9, a restaurant in Lourmarin, Luberon, Vaucluse, Provence
DiscoverEat in LourmarinLourmarin

Restaurants in Lourmarin, Luberon, Provence

admin, May 24, 2016

Where are the the best restaurants in Lourmarin? Where can you enjoy a paper thin pizza fresh straight from the wood smoke of a ‘feu de bois’ oven?  Perhaps you’d like to sample fresh, beautifully presented local ingredients within the …

Read more 0 Comments
Open shutters of Provence in Lourmarin
DiscoverLourmarinStay at Lourmarin

Where to stay in Lourmarin

admin, May 20, 2016

Visualise yourself sleeping beneath the rafters of a stunning converted olive mill or being pampered in an exquisite guest room of a Provencal mansion. Perhaps you’d like to be in a house in the country or in a village. You …

Read more 0 Comments
DiscoverEat in LourmarinLourmarinVisit Lourmarin

Why you should visit Lourmarin, this treasure of the Luberon

admin, May 17, 2016

I told you last time about Lourmarin, but why should you go there too? Quite simply, because it’s beautiful. Twisting cobbled streets, limestone buildings the colour of honey, faded shutters and clay tiled roof tops. Chic boutiques, galleries, vibrant cafés and …

Read more 0 Comments
Lourmarin a special place in the Luberon Provence
DiscoverLourmarinVisit Lourmarin

Ingredients that make a place like Lourmarin special

admin, May 16, 2016

I have been wondering, what are the secret ingredients that make a place truly special? Somewhere, when you arrive for the first time, makes your heart skip a beat and that when you return for the hundredth time, makes you …

Read more 0 Comments
« Previous 1 … 13 14 15 16 17 … 42 Next »

Subscribe Here

Rent Our Home InLourmarin

Provence

ABOUT CAROLINEBORN UNDER A WANDERING STAR

I was born under a wandering star, an English girl living in California, in love with Provence. I have lived near San Francisco for 17 years but in 2012 spent 20 unforgettable months in Provence, first in beautiful, medieval Uzès, and then in the Luberon’s fairy-tale village of Lourmarin. It was magical and inspired me to write Shutters and Sunflowers; my insights into the local charm of places I love, Provence, England, California and places I travel, suggestions for where to stay, to eat and to visit. Join me and be inspired too, there's a big world waiting to be explored, let me know what you find!

ExploringPROVENCE, BRITAIN, CALIFORNIA & OTHER PLACES

Hôtel de la Beursaudièr, Chablis, France
ExploreFrance

Driving through France

Caroline Longstaffe, August 18, 2022

We have driven through France, north to south and back, (about 1000km each way), more times than I can remember. As children, both our families took holidays driving through France, often headed for Spain. Slightly crammed between siblings, before cars …

Read more 6 Comments
Lavender fields of Bonnieux, Luberon, Vaucluse, Provence, France

The lavender of the Luberon, Provence

Caroline Longstaffe, July 25, 2022
Around ProvenceExploreLuberon
Château Léoube entrance by the vines's,Bormes-les-Mimosas, Var Provence, France

Léoube, Provençal rosé enticing England and California

Caroline Longstaffe, July 13, 2022
Around ProvenceCôte d'AzurExploreVar

Instagram

Christmas shopping at #ferrybuilding #sanfrancisco Christmas shopping at #ferrybuilding #sanfrancisco
Christmas joy Christmas joy
December skies in #carmelbythesea December skies in #carmelbythesea
Happy Thanksgiving from this beautiful place I’m Happy Thanksgiving from this beautiful place I’m so thankful to call home #carmel
Wonders of the Monterey Bay Aquarium #montereybaya Wonders of the Monterey Bay Aquarium #montereybayaquarium
The beauty of stunning 17 Mile Drive #carmel #cali The beauty of stunning 17 Mile Drive #carmel #california
Instagram post 18223404712093929 Instagram post 18223404712093929
Instagram post 17948800100475839 Instagram post 17948800100475839
Follow on Instagram
This error message is only visible to WordPress admins
Error: There is no connected account for the user 17841401047622939.

Shutters & SunflowersAbout the Story

I started this blog as a diary whilst living in Provence, calling it ‘Shutters and Sunflowers’ because they both come to mind when I think of Provence. It has developed into a travel resource, about Provence, California, Britain and wherever I travel. There are travel guides for Uzès, Lourmarin, San Francisco, Carmel and Lake Tahoe; ideas for boutique accommodation, where to sample delicious, regional food, advice about what to see and historical insights. I don't pretend to know all the options but write about what touches my heart; rows of Provencal shutters, fields of sunflowers; about ‘living the journey, not waiting to get to the destination.’ I hope Shutters and Sunflowers will inspire you to visit some of the beautiful places that I have been fortunate enough to go to, do get in touch if I can be of any help in planning your special trips.

Interact With UsMOST COMMENTED

View through the shutters of a maison de village in Lourmarin, Provence, France
42

Our house in Lourmarin, Provence

The Control Tower at Greenham Common, Nebury, Berkshire, England
28

The story of Greenham Common, England

Rainbow over Mt Diablo, Danville California
28

Unprecedented times, stay safe & well my friends……

The Sunflower Field, a World War II novel about the Polish code breakers who first broke the Enigma code
27

The Sunflower Field ~ the story of who first cracked the Enigma Code

24

Our American Road Trip

SyndicationPublished Elsewhere

A collection of articles from Shutters & Sunflowers published elsewhere on the web.

The Sunflower Field World War II Novel set in Provence

Perfectly Provence features ‘The Sunflower Field’, my World War II novel set in France

Caroline Longstaffe, August 11, 2017
Published Elsewhere
Sunflowers of Provence, France

Provence Travel Tips from Shutters and Sunflowers interview with Perfectly Provence

admin, January 29, 2016
Published Elsewhere
Interview with Perfectly Provence

Perfectly Provence, Shutters and Sunflowers, The Provencal Landscape

admin, December 2, 2015
Published Elsewhere
Copyright © 2024 Shutters & Sunflowers, All Rights Reserved.
↑ Back to top