After our amazing experience in Cotignac, France, our press trip group was whisked away by our amazing driver Sophie to experience the charming small town of Lourmarin, France. It is located in the Vaucluse department in the Provence-Alpes-Côte d’Azur region in Southeastern France. The people who live there are called Lourmarinois, which is très (very) difficult to pronounce. Part of the Luberon region, it is composed of three mountain ranges: Lesser Luberon, Greater Luberon and Eastern Luberon. There’s a whole lot of Lou’s happening here and it can be very confusing – especially when you’re not driving and following maps. Just try to remember Lourmarin is located in the French region of Provence, at the foot of the Luberon Massif.
After a little confusion upon arrival where my debit card was stashed in my passport and the front desk lady was saying she already ran it (but didn’t, just a communication error), I handed her my Amex which she recoiled at the sight and said they cannot use that. The French really don’t like American Expresslike I learned in Nice! So I lay down my Aeroplan MasterCard for a $100 Euro hold which she seemed pleased with and ran through. Remember, always have at least three different international cards! I was not phased as we were there for a minute before back out the door again to explore this charming village so there’s literally no way to spend it.
Sophie pulled over for an epic view of Lourmarin, France and started a trend with all the cars behind us. A popular spot!The view from the roadside in Lourmarin, France as traffic clustered around us to get this shot. Fortunately the weather was working out!Our home sweet home for the night, Le Moulin de Lourmarin in Luberon, France.Once an old olive mill, it made the perfect place to rest our weary heads at Le Moulin de Lourmarin in Luberon, France and extended down the whole city block.You can also enjoy the back patio when the weather is warmer at Le Moulin de Lourmarin in Luberon, France. We had a very windy day which was better than rainy any day!First views of the interior of Le Moulin de Lourmarin in Luberon, France is a casual lounge space. That’s a shoe shiner on the right.You could feel the warmth as the check in space was very low key with a welcome cocktail at Le Moulin de Lourmarin in Luberon, France.The dining area we enjoyed dinner and breakfast at Le Moulin de Lourmarin in Luberon, France.Soon we were back to a walking tour at Le Moulin de Lourmarin in Luberon, France and I noticed this man.And down the street we went in Le Moulin de Lourmarin in Luberon, France.It was a perfectly fall day in Lourmarin, France and I spotted a gallery.To our destination, part of the Le Moulin de Lourmarin collection in Luberon, France.Down the walkway at Le Moulin de Lourmarin in Luberon, France.Very pretty fall colors abounded at Le Moulin de Lourmarin in Luberon, France.Looking out the gate at Le Moulin de Lourmarin in Luberon, France.For a more intimate setting, you can rent this whole house at Le Moulin de Lourmarin in Luberon, France.And hire a private chef at Le Moulin de Lourmarin in Luberon, France.While enjoying your friends and family at Le Moulin de Lourmarin in Luberon, France.Just look at this dreamy chandelier at Le Moulin de Lourmarin in Luberon, France.Or if a whole house is not in your budget, perhaps an apartment at Le Moulin de Lourmarin in Luberon, France.Also has a large kitchen at Le Moulin de Lourmarin in Luberon, France.A French Countryside style living room at Le Moulin de Lourmarin in Luberon, France.Always pretty views at Le Moulin de Lourmarin in Luberon, France.I think there were three bedrooms to the apartment at Le Moulin de Lourmarin in Luberon, France.Bedroom number two at Le Moulin de Lourmarin in Luberon, France.And bedroom number three at Le Moulin de Lourmarin in Luberon, France.The out back patio space at Le Moulin de Lourmarin in Luberon, France.A view of the apartment doorway at Le Moulin de Lourmarin in Luberon, France.The pigeon house which I learned much about was like an office at Le Moulin de Lourmarin in Luberon, France. It’s doubtful anyone lives in there now.The view from the back of the whole building at Le Moulin de Lourmarin in Luberon, France.The very shallow swimming pool at Le Moulin de Lourmarin in Luberon, France.The landscaping is impeccable at Le Moulin de Lourmarin in Luberon, France.And there are so many photo worthy places at Le Moulin de Lourmarin in Luberon, France.Back into the Olive Mill we went at Le Moulin de Lourmarin in Luberon, France.And ready for our welcome drink at Le Moulin de Lourmarin in Luberon, France. I had champagne, of course!Finally it was time to check in our rooms while our luggage awaited us at Le Moulin de Lourmarin in Luberon, France. This was the view from the third floor outside balcony with our dinner plans right below.
A quick overnight at Le Moulin de Lourmarin in Luberon, France! With dinner at Le Bacheto which was like having girl dinner except in an outstanding French cuisine style, we awoke to the bell towers in the morning. Signifying it’s time to wake up and also telling the time by each amount of ding dongs, there was a bustling farmers market that was awaiting us to explore after our delicious buffet breakfast full of espresso and made to order omelets, fruit, croissants and baguettes. This tiny town has a slower, more relaxed pace and deserving of some more exploring for sure! I buzzed around the colorful, lively Provençal market in the morning, photographing all my favorite lifestyle shots, enjoying samples of truffle cheese and pastries, window shopping all the fall fashion… until I bought fuzzy, my new furry white jacket since I was freezing most mornings. Owned by a French company, Le Moulin is part of Beaumier Hotels has properties in unique places like the French Provence, the Alps and the Mediterranean coast. While not my favorite hotel stay of the trip because of the bed below, the town did have its charm which I would like to explore more.
The bed that hurt my back in Le Moulin de Lourmarin in Luberon, France. Unfortunately they can’t all be winners! And I am even more special nowadays…The TV stand which got no use at Le Moulin de Lourmarin in Luberon, France. There were grapes and chocolate biscuits waiting for me.The separate toilet at Le Moulin de Lourmarin in Luberon, France.The dual sinks at Le Moulin de Lourmarin in Luberon, France with the same tile in the shower.After a very fast walk through nearby town, it was time to eat dinner at Le Moulin de Lourmarin in Luberon, France. We ordered a medley of items and were served and shared family style for the ultimate girl dinner, French elevated style.Trying to grab a photo of the spread before it was devoured was almost possible at Le Moulin de Lourmarin in Luberon, France. I was killing pain with my Old Fashioned which worked wonderfully – the old school solution.For dessert, a real limoncello made with vodka and ice cream hit the spot at Le Moulin de Lourmarin in Luberon, France.We were even greeted by a black cat Michel (pronounced Michelle) which brought me great joy at Le Moulin de Lourmarin in Luberon, France! She was small and slinky and made her way to work each table, hoping for fish scraps no doubt.After a hot and ouchy night’s sleep for me at least and awoken to the bell tower, it was breakfast time at Le Moulin de Lourmarin in Luberon, France. You bet I ate ALL the chocolate croissants!We were also able to order a side and I always chose a protein-packed amazing omelet at Le Moulin de Lourmarin in Luberon, France. That’e beet juice and some yogurt always available too with a messy espresso because I was adding hot chocolate to it.I could see the market setting up from 7 a.m. at Le Moulin de Lourmarin in Luberon, France third floor window so was anxious to explore.It was freezing that morning so I was walking fast to stay warm in Lourmarin, France.Smells and soaps of all colors were displayed in Lourmarin, France.I wanted to buy all the clothes that would not fit in my luggage in Lourmarin, France. It’s nice to see more sizing for women. I remember losing my luggage in Paris at one point and all the boutiques called me too big! Fortunately my luggage arrived the next day but damn…Of course French macaroons where vendors would entice you with samples in Lourmarin, France.A lot of warmer weather clothes and fun beads in Lourmarin, France.I was loving the colors of the herbs in Lourmarin, France.Then came across the spices from all over the world in Lourmarin, France.So pretty and a medley of options in Lourmarin, France.So many options of olives available in Lourmarin, France.Let’s not forget the flowers for your table in Lourmarin, France.I was way early for the market as people were still setting up in Lourmarin, France.I was eyeing all the jewelry of course in Lourmarin, France.Scarfs were also appealing but I own so many in Lourmarin, France.The best truffle cheese vendor who kept feeding me in Lourmarin, France.A peek across the street was also stunning in Lourmarin, France.Fresh fish was available as well in Lourmarin, France.Soon people started filling the street as the sun came out in Lourmarin, France. I loved these hats!Adorable ceramic pendants in Lourmarin, France.Tons of fabric available for sewing as well in Lourmarin, France.Very cool styles for the ladies in Lourmarin, France.I spotted this ancient fountain in Lourmarin, France.And these rad leather purses in Lourmarin, France.I am obsessed with real leather purses in Lourmarin, France.More vidid fabrics in Lourmarin, France.Vendors filled the whole town of Lourmarin, France.A very nice French woman “forced” me to eat samples in Lourmarin, France.A painter on the corner in Lourmarin, France.Obsessed with this photographer in Lourmarin, France who is not online! He waited years for some of these shots.The only memory I have of how to find him in Lourmarin, France.Not sure what these are – fabric samples perhaps – in Lourmarin, France but so colorful!A very cool artist who made the Mona Lisa his own in Lourmarin, France.Soon it was time to leave Lourmarin, France and meet at our exit point.Fortunately they had a strong young man who helped our luggage through the cobblestone streets back to our driver Sophie!
We all loaded in the new van, a Mercedes this time with dual opening doors on each side making for an easier escape. And soon on our way to make a lavender sachet at the Musée de la Lavande! This Lavender Museum in Cabrières-d’Avignon, France is only 10 minutes from the gorgeous village of Gordes, France in Luberon located inside a traditional Provençal house built with dry stones from Gordes and surrounded by a lavender field, olive trees and parasol pines. This picturesque space transports visitors into the authenticity of Provence. The charming atmosphere makes the museum the perfect sanctuary for the rare and precious true lavender, or fine lavender of Provence. Did you know there are two main types of lavender – lavande, fine lavender and lavandin, the hybrid? It was a lovely afternoon learning, smelling, crafting and even enjoying lavender tea. Thank you so much for the roll on oils, they are forever in my luggage to help me relax during travel! Best told by our lovely hostess below, enjoy the story of lavande.
A quick scenic stop to say au revoir to Lourmarin, France. This view is even better than the first!France is embracing Halloween and I’m glad to see it at the Musée de la Lavande.A lot of lavender for just a tiny but of oil at Musée de la Lavande.The beautiful color itself at Musée de la Lavande.A little bit of English is always available at Musée de la Lavande as well as English speaking guides.Our soft spoken hostess Sophie LINCELÉ, communications director, was full of interesting stories at Musée de la Lavande.Where real lavender comes from at Musée de la Lavande.We than watched a film about the lavender blooms early summer through fall at Musée de la Lavande.And to the early stills that took massive quantities of lavender for just a few drops of oil at Musée de la Lavande.Some of the traditional outfits worn at the Musée de la Lavande. The man would carry the bundle and from what I saw at the market, corduroy pants are always in French countryside style.Some of the products that are made with fine lavender at Musée de la Lavande.To keep hands from getting sliced, finger guards at the Musée de la Lavande.Said sickles for slicing lavender and hopefully not hands at Musée de la Lavande.Ladies enjoying the smells and a seat at the shop inside the Musée de la Lavande. I don’t know who that boy is haha!We learn more about each scent for sale at Musée de la Lavande like how rosemary makes the lavender scent stronger.The mini lavender field was not in bloom but still pretty at Musée de la Lavande.Then we made our own sachets at Musée de la Lavande.With a bin full of lavender to pack it full at the Musée de la Lavande.This pyramid would have been helpful in Saint Tropez making perfume at the Musée de la Lavande.And voila! My traditional color sachet at Musée de la Lavande. Squeeze to release more scents!The brand that sells the real lavender at Musée de la Lavande is Le Château du Bois.Our amazing driver also named Sophie Charransol of Provence Reverie poses with her takeaway bag at Musée de la Lavande. She’s the bestest!
