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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

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

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

      The Shutters of Provence

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

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

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

      Lourmarin through the eyes of a child

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

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

      , 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
    • Serre Chevalier sign , on the slopes above Chantemerle

      Skiing in Serre Chevalier, in the French Alps

      , April 5, 2026
    • Valley of the Clarée at Col du Granon, site of WWII operations,les Hautes-Alpes, Serre Chevalier, Provence, France

      History in Les Hautes-Alpes ~ Col du Granon & Mont Dauphine

      , November 1, 2025
    • Entrance to the old Cité Vauban, Briançon, Serre Chevalier, Les Hautes-Alpes, Provence, France

      Cité Vauban, Sébastien Vauban’s historic city at Briançon.

      , October 27, 2025
    • Mountains in Serre Chevalier, Les Hautes-Alpes, Provence, France

      A trip to Serre Chevalier in Les Hautes-Alpes

      , October 15, 2025
  • Britain
    • London
    • An Hour from London
    • The Cotswolds
    • Yorkshire
    • Scotland
    • Other Places
    • Spring blossoms in Lourmarin

      Spring in Provence, England and Lake Tahoe, California

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

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

      The story of Greenham Common, England

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

      Blenheim Palace, birth place of Sir Winston Churchill

      , February 20, 2018
  • Europe
    • France
    • Italy
    • Germany
    • Austria
    • Netherlands
    • Belgium
    • Denmark
    • Halle aux Grains in Auvillar, Tarn-et-Garonne, France

      Day 8 & 9: Auvillar, Puylaurens & Aigues-Mortes, headed to Provence

      caroline_longstaffe, July 29, 2026
    • Arched Roman city entrance in Saintes, Western France

      Day 7: On the Santiago de Compostela Pilgrim trail from Saintes to Saint Émilion.

      caroline_longstaffe, July 13, 2026
    • Halles de Clisson, Clisson,Pays de la Loire region of the Loire-Atlantique, France

      Day 6 in Brittany: Rochefort-en-Terre & Clisson, saved by an American & the Italians

      caroline_longstaffe, July 8, 2026
    • Hotel du bac, Combrit, Brittany, France

      Camaret-sur-mer and Locronan and Brittany’s medieval city of Vannes

      caroline_longstaffe, July 3, 2026
  • 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

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

      The story of Father Junípero Serra and the Carmel Mission

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

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

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

      Crater Lake ~ the stunning finale to our American Road Trip

      , 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

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

      Day 19: South Island New Zealand~Mount Cook

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

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

      , 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

      , 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

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

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

      , 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

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

      A million miles away

      , May 5, 2022
    • Spring blossoms in Lourmarin

      Spring in Provence, England and Lake Tahoe, California

      , March 9, 2021
    • Dreaming of Christmas

      Christmas Past, Christmas Present and Christmas yet to come

      , December 5, 2020
Plan your stay in Lourmarin visit L'Abbaye Notre-Dame de Sénanque, Gordes, Luberon, Provence
Around ProvenceDiscoverLuberonNearby LourmarinThe Vaucluse

The Luberon’s L’Abbaye Notre-Dame de Sénanque

admin, August 2, 2016

Last time on our tour of the Luberon’s perched villages we visited Lacoste and Ménerbes, maybe you missed our next two stops? The mystical ghost town, Oppède-le-Vieux and Gordes, perhaps the Luberon’s most magnificent perched village. (Click on the village names to view). From …

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Gordes, the most splendid perched village in the Luberon, Provence
Around ProvenceDiscoverLuberonNearby LourmarinThe Vaucluse

Gordes, the Luberon’s most splendid perched village

admin, July 29, 2016

As you drive from our last stop at Oppède-le-Vieux, winding your way towards Gordes, you’ll follow the olive tree flanked hairpins and as the road begins to straighten will suddenly be greeted by a breathtakingly spectacular view of perhaps the most …

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Oppède-le-Vieux, The Luberon, Provence, France
Around ProvenceDiscoverLuberonNearby LourmarinThe Vaucluse

Oppède-le-Vieux, the ghost town of the Luberon!

admin, July 27, 2016

After Ménerbes the next village on my tour is Oppède-le-Vieux, high on a rocky precipice over looking the Luberon valley. Explore its ruined ramparts and 12th century church, eerily quiet and deserted, it’s a strikingly haunting spot. Don’t be confused …

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Ménerbes, Luberon, Provence
Around ProvenceDiscoverLuberonNearby LourmarinThe Vaucluse

Lacoste and Ménerbes, two more captivating Luberon villages!

admin, July 25, 2016

Continuing our tour of Provence’s beautiful Luberon hillside villages; last time we took the D943 from Lourmarin, through the dramatic gorge to Bonnieux, Lacoste and Ménerbes now await. Lacoste, a tiny, sometimes forgotten perched village has breathtaking views across the sweeping Luberon landscape, …

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Avignon Vaucluse, Provence, France
Around ProvenceAvignonDiscoverNearby LourmarinNearby UzesThe Vaucluse

A video tour of Avignon, ‘City of the Popes’.

admin, July 19, 2016

The magnificent city of Avignon is only about 70km from Lourmarin. Visit it here on this Avignon video tour. Better still, spend a day here and discover its rich and fascinating history. Explore the ramparts of its incredibly well preserved city …

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Garden at La Ferme Domaine de Capelongue, Bonnieux, Luberon, Provence, France
DiscoverLuberonNearby LourmarinThe Vaucluse

Where to eat in Bonnieux, Luberon, Provence

admin, July 16, 2016

When planning a trip, the key priorities are usually; ‘what should we see?’ ‘where should we stay?’ and of course ‘where should we eat?’ With regards to where to eat in Bonnieux, there are many options to choose from. I don’t …

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Bonnieux Luberon, Vaucluse, Provence, France
DiscoverLuberonNearby LourmarinThe Vaucluse

Bonnieux, a perched village in the Luberon, Provence

admin, July 14, 2016

If driving from Lourmarin to explore the Luberon’s perched villages, the closet and first village is Bonnieux, 13.5km away. The D943 which takes you there, is a twisting, switchback through the steep rocks of the narrow gorge, Combe de Lourmarin, …

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Lourmarin, Luberon Vaucluse, Provence, France
DiscoverLourmarinLuberonNearby Lourmarin

A video visit to Lourmarin

admin, July 12, 2016

Discover the enchantment of Lourmarin, a fairy tale village in Provence’s Luberon. Visit the Lourmarin medieval château and enjoy a musical soirée under its rafters. Meander the chic boutiques, galleries and restaurants, and fabulous Friday market in Lourmarin. Explore the stunningly beautiful Luberon region. …

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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 …

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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 …

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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

, 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

, 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

, July 13, 2022
Around ProvenceCôte d'AzurExploreVar

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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

, 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
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