If You Came to Provence With Me...in 2015...

...you would certainly feel that life is indeed beautiful! 

...you might sleep in this wonderful bed...

...with this charming bathroom all your own... 

...and a lovely silk bag filled with lovely gifts just for you... 

...or maybe this bed will be yours for the week...

...or even this one, with the carved headboard...

...and the charming ensuite bathroom just for you...

...you would know the charming hostessing of Lisa...

...and the incredible meals by our own Michelin 
one-star chef, Jon...

,

...you would breakfast on fresh croissants, French yogurt,
fruits, confitures, bread & butter and lots of
great French coffee in this charming kitchen...

...and have dinner one night at this inviting table...

...maybe take a dip in this beautiful pool or lounge
among the roses at poolside...

...when you ventured out into the countryside you would see colors like this amazing pink and pale ochre... everyday sights... 

...you might have a truffle-infused luncheon specially for you at this table...

...and have impeccable service from Matthew himself...

Don't miss the next Chic Provence Design Tour Spring 2015,

May 16 - 23, 2015!

details soon

email me to reserve your spot now!

Scouting the Chic Provence Design Tour

I love Provence so much; nothing is more fun to me than spending the week before the Chic Provence Design Tour scouting out all my locations, vendors and sights, meeting and greeting old friends and checking out new ones. I want everything to be perfect and to run smoothly for my guests from the minute they arrive until we return them a week later to the TGV in Avignon.

This then is how a typical day of pre-Tour scouting goes for me... come with me next time! 

hmm.... Madame is offering fresh eggs right from her farm... I'll take a half dozen!
 found these on my  morning walk along the banks of the River Sorgue

along with President butter, a fresh croissant
and blood oranges, these eggs made a
fabulous breakfast, giving me lots of energy
for a fully packed day of scouting in Provence!

of course, un petit pause for a fabulous cup of
coffee was in order as the morning went on...
here I am using my wonderful basket from
Andrea at The French Basketeer!  Thanks, Andrea!!

the summer linens in the Provençal markets always delight me...
and this spring I spied this chic little dress and scarf... paired with
a scarf and sandals, the perfect outfit for browsing the markets
in the South of France... and at 34 euro, a real bargain!

Steven and I headed to our favorite boulangerie... the one that makes everything on site, from scratch, using only the finest "bio" (organic) ingredients... we had to make sure everything was acceptable for our guests at the villa the following week... and yes, everything was!

even the baguettes as they rolled out of the ovens, their aroma just begging for un cafe au lait and a large smear of pure butter and jam!

OK, well fortified, it's off to scout les antiquaires... just to be sure nothing has changed drastically in the last year... we found so many gorgeous treasures we were sure our guests would be completely delighted! this small chandelier caught my eye and I could picture it in my guest room chez moi...

peeking into Madame's window, a row of fanciful dining chairs catches my eye, along
with that gorgeous chandelier and mirror...

these garden cloches will surely captivate my wonderful guests... wonder how many of
these will find their way back to the USA ?

a fancy candelabra called a girondole almost made its way into MY suitcase!
isn't it pretty?

the witty fish sculpture in company the otherwise seriously glamourous
objets is a hallmark of French design... don't take things too seriously!

I fell completely for this period oil painting of Louis XVI himself... pompous and
soft, he epitomized all the excesses that eventually got him into serious trouble... aka
the guillotine!  but I really loved this painting, and at 650 euros almost brought
it home to my French-history-loving husband Chris!

OK, back outside, and off to Gordes... just to be sure nothing has changed in this stunning
hilltop village since we were last there... and of course, it is just as gorgeous as always...we need
not have feared!

I always peek into the church in Gordes... this time preparations were underway
for a funeral mass for the oldest firefighter (pompier) in Gordes who had
passed away in his 80's... a procession wove through the village 

side view of the chateau at Gordes... actually that is a very excellent
organic grocer tucked under those eaves...

back to our villa to check things out... the olive
tree basking in the late afternoon sun...

...the outdoor mantel a study in still life....

the breakfast kitchen inviting us in for
un cafe under the wisteria arbor...

still the perfect spot for morning breakfast and lingering...

..and putting the final touches on the gifts for
each of my treasured guests when they arrive...
fine chocolates, pate de fois gras, candle,
lavender oil and a sweet bundle of lavender
to tuck under the pillow for a good night's sleep!

Chic Provence Design Tour Printemps 2013!

With winter's chill just a whisper away, it's time again to plan a Provence tour in the spring! Nothing will put you in better spirits than knowing that you, cherie, will be exploring Provençal markets, chic shops and brocantes to your heart's content. And that you will experience Provençal life and its many beautiful aspects from a designer's point of view, knowing that every detail is taken care of for you. A little luxury on a Provence tour that will soothe the soul.

We are so excited to announce our third annual springtime Chic Provence Tour to the heart of Provence,  for May 4 -11, 2013. You will find incomparable inspiration for your Provence design ideas and projects on our tour in the company of like-minded souls!

C'est fantastique! Cherie, you must join us! You know you want to. You need this trip! You must enjoy a Provence Tour this 2013!

Last year we sold out very quickly, so be sure to let me know if you want to join us on this truly incredible weeklong Provence tour. 

the outdoor sink at Edith Mezard's

a stunning villagescape in Provence

the bank in the middle of the Sorgue River in l'Isle sur la Sorgue... your home for a week!

a charming Provençal restaurant to rest your feet and 
have a quick pick me up... then back to shopping!

the cars are so adorable in Provence!

the silver vendor shows up at the Antiques Market in l'Isle sur la Sorgue faithfully every week

the happy ticket booth for the carousel in Avignon

the gorgeous carousel in Avignon

welcome to your Provençal home for the week!

one of the stairways to the second floor bedrooms

fresh flowers, lavender, chocolate and sparkling
water in each room... and l'Occitane products 
in your own private bathroom

one of the lovely guest bedrooms in the villa

pretty detail of one of the 8 bedrooms

early morning coffee spot

Steven picks up freshly baked croissants and bread for breakfast
while you're still sleeping

such a gorgeous swimming pool

we sometimes have aperitifs in our courtyard

our villa has a wonderful gated courtyard entrance and is in the apricot
and plum orchards just outside of l'Isle sur la Sorgue

Van Gogh's painting A View of the Asylum, where we will visit in St. Remy and 
step inside his bedroom

Cezanne painted this view of Mt. Ste. Victoire while 
living in Aix-en-Provence... where
we will follow in Cezanne's Footsteps!

refreshments, anyone?

all photos by my husband,  Chris Golson Fine Photography

if you do download or pin, please give him credit!

We'll have an incredible restored ancient farmhouse villa for our home base, and every morning after our cafe au lait and fresh croissants, we'll head out to shop the Provençal markets, antiques markets and shops in l'Isle sur la Sorgue, St. Remy and Aix-en-Provence. If you need shipping, we connect you with your own shipper. We'll have a cooking class in an exquisite 13th C. chateau in Avignon. We'll explore the hillside villages of the Luberon. And every night after aperitifs we'll have an incredible dinner chez nous prepared by our own wonderful French chef with complementary wines selected for the dinner. Everything is taken care of for you... we'll pick you up at the train station in Avignon and pamper you from then on. 

You MUST come with us next time on the Chic Provence Tour!

download the brochure here  
download registration forms here 


We quickly sold last year so let me know right away 
if you want to join us for this incredible Chic Provence Tour!



questions? 

email me
skype me: kitgolson
call or text me:  650-302-6883

no Provence tour is complete without it...
can you smell the lavender yet?