French la Vie

French la Vie, a new old direction gathering what I love and taking you along by leading journeys in Provence, and Bretagne, re-starting in 2019. The groups will be small (4 maximum). I have been exploring Bretagne these last few days with Francoise (My friend for over thirty years and how I came to know my French Husband) and can see that it will be more about landscapes, culture, history, visiting artisans and of course, food and the brocante. Whereas Provence will do that too but visiting more antiques and artisans both following the path to inspiring our creative soul.

Those of you who have been following me know I have a crazy passion for antiques and that which circles it: Antiquing in villages which takes me to interesting places such as Lorgues, Villecroze, Carpentras, St Cannat, Gardanne, Peypin… to the people I meet and then become friends with (Odile who I met 25 years ago and was one of the first persons I ever met antiquing with her daughter the ultra-talented artistic Aurelie, Kristen who can weave magic with the everyday beauty and charm with her abundant imaginations, Mo whose hands and spirit create beautiful pottery, Nelly in the old abandoned Chateau…) Which led me to start a blog about it over 13 years ago. None of this is new to those of you who have become my friends over these last 13 years, and who have encouraged me to take this journey with you. 

And the cherry on top of the cake in the French la Vie life of mine is being married to Yann and raising our children Chelsea and Sacha, living in France these last thirty years has given me a few stories to share.

Let's go.

Dates available French la Vie Journeys in Provence:

 

April 16th to the 23rd, 2019, Two places remain.

April 25th to May 2nd, 2019, One place remains.

May 21 to May 28th, 2019, SOLD OUT

June 25th to July 2nd, 2019, Three places remain.

September 6th to the 9th, 2019, SOLD OUT

September 12th to 19th, 2019, SOLD OUT

October 7th to the 14th, 2019 Four places remain

…………………………

 

 

Dates Available for French la Vie Journeys in Bretagne:

 

June 11th to 18th, 2019, Four places remain

October 3rd to October 10th, 2019, Four places remain

2020 dates to be announced they will be from May until October.

If you would like to come on another date, I can arrange that if you have three other people who would like to join you, or if you would like to do a Private Journey that can be arranged too.

 

In Provence, we will be staying in my home in Saint Zacharie. 

In Bretagne, we will be staying in the area of the Emerald Coast in Plouer sur Rance.

 

 

 

 

 

The French la Vie Journeys are handcrafted to each group that comes. If you like antiques we will visit markets and have personal entrance to little shops in private homes. If you want to find places to soak in daily life for inspiration we will wander through villages, peeking around corners and discovering history by seeing. If you want to visit craftsman's studios: painters, potters, cooks, winemakers, the cornucopia of food, and or simply learn about the French lifestyle by being immersed into the "real" Provence and the Enchanting Brittany the Emerald Coast, then this is for you. 

On the French la Vie Journey the meals are all included you will dine in simply enchanting off the beaten path restaurants, have elegant picnics and sit around my table while I prepare French with an international twist organic meals. 

Wine will flow as well.

 There it is the richness in the everyday lifestyle of France.

Farm to table freshly picked and served, grapes, figs, almonds, olives… the multitude of cheeses and baguettes with conversation flowing as easily as the wine, arms ready to pat on the back, laughter as music and a generous table that welcomes anyone who pops in. Provence and Bretagne are laid back, with a vast landscape that runs to the sea and let's not forget that painter's trekked here to capture the light to share the story on canvas, while poet told its tales.

When is the best time to come to France?

Today, tomorrow any moment you can.

 Cheerful, gay, poppies waves and the sun warms our backs May is such a lovely time in Provence. But then when isn't a good time in Provence? Some mark months by holidays, birthdays, anniversaries and so do I, but I also I include– May for Poppies and Cherries, July for Lavender, August for late night dinners outside, September for grape harvest, for children going back to school and the villages returning from summer vacation filled with their chatter….

In Bretagne, you must know that it is green for a reason. The sky gives contrast and depth to the varied landscape that Bretagne is famous for, those rugged cliffs, the lush green that nourishes the dairies providing butter and cheese. The endless coastline trails where fortresses, castles, and ruins remain you of another time. With that said June through early October promise days with more sunshine than liquid sunshine.

We will visit a variety of creative artists and their studios.

Another question I am often asked is:

If I am not a "big" shopper is this journey for me?

Provence has more brocantes than Bretagne, but you do not need to be a big shopper to go on either.

Nevertheless, whatever you purchase on the French la Vie Journey I can provide a variety of options for shipping, be it a by mail or a container.

Both journeys are about discovery and inspiration.

Thank you for your generous friendship and steadfast support.

I hope to meet you one day.

xxx

For more information contact me at:

coreyamaro@aol.com

and to see more follow me on 

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