Shutters & Sunflowers

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

Posts tagged Sébastien Le Prestre de Vauban

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

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

Caroline Longstaffe, October 27, 2025

Standing proudly on the hill above Briançon is its’ historic city, Cité Vauban. Named after its’ designer, Sébastien Le Prestre de Vauban (1633-1707) a celebrated architect and military engineer for King Louis XIV, Cité Vauban is now a UNESCO World …

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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 …