Shutters & Sunflowers

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

Posts tagged Les Alpilles

Carrières de Lumières 2017 Bosch, Brueghel, Arcimboldo, Les Baux de Provence,Provence, France

Carrières de Lumières Bosch, Brueghel, Arcimboldo, ‘from the fantastic to the wonderful’

Caroline Longstaffe, November 30, 2017

Yesterday was special, leaving our paintbrushes and plumbing issues behind, we drove towards the jagged hills of Les Alpilles through Le plaine de la Crau, winding our way through the lush valley floor of silvery, green olive trees and golden …

Marc Chagall at Carrières de Lumières, 2016

admin, December 1, 2016

The incredible art of Russia’s Marc Chagall at Carrières de Lumières has been a 2016 sensation! Yet another maestro’s talent splashed upon the towering walls and floor of the former bauxite quarry in Val d’Enfer, by Les Baux de Provence. Set to a mystical, …

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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!

Hôtel de la Beursaudièr, Chablis, France

Explore France

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 …