Gayle Smith Padgett's Blog, page 4

Delicious Dilemmas: Provence Pleasures to Savor

Calling all foodies—come one, come all! The month of May is a fine time to rejoice in spring’s bounty in Provence. And this year, in particular, the season has taken on special meaning for les Padgetts. After a hectic five-week visit to the US this spring, returning to the easy, gentle rhythms of everyday life … Continue reading Delicious Dilemmas: Provence Pleasures to Savor

Printemps Perspectives: Provence to Palm Springs

Move it on out! From urban centers to rural zones, springtime brings a welcome surge of vibrant energy. After a sleepy winter hibernation, it seems everyone is ready to kick up their heels. For Ralph and me, this translates to a California visit. But before we hopped on the plane in Marseille, I was energized … Continue reading Printemps Perspectives: Provence to Palm Springs

Vermeer to Van Gogh: The Dutch Masters “Play” Provence

Come one and all to experience the spectacular immersive sound and light show now playing at Carrières des Lumières, a former interior quarry turned art venue, just a stone’s throw from Saint-Rémy-de-Provence. Displayed on the massive limestone walls, fabulous digital exhibitions devoted to major artists have been wowing spectators since 2012. This year’s extravaganza, From … Continue reading Vermeer to Van Gogh: The Dutch Masters “Play” Provence

A Valentine for Saint-Rémy-de-Provence

How do I love thee? Let me count the ways… As La fête de Saint-Valentin approaches, l’amour fills the air. Maybe that’s why Elizabeth Barrett Browning’s opening lines to her famous sonnet flashed across my mind as Ralph and I strolled through Saint-Rémy’s centre ville earlier this week. The soft golden light that illuminated the … Continue reading A Valentine for Saint-Rémy-de-Provence

Bonne Année 2023 and … a Splendid Spanish Seaside Adventure in Sitges

Before looking to the future, a glance back at the finale of 2022. Ahead of the holiday season shifting into overdrive, we drove five and a half hours from St. Rémy de Provence to the stunning seaside enclave of Sitges, 30-minutes from Barcelona. This delightful town—around 30K residents—had been on our radar for a while. … Continue reading Bonne Année 2023 and … a Splendid Spanish Seaside Adventure in Sitges

Joyeux Fêtes 2022!

From frosty Saint-Rémy-de-Provence… Wishing you all a marvelously merry holiday time and all the very, very best for a healthy, happy, and hopeful 2023! I would like to extend my heartfelt appreciation for your spirited support of this blog and The Birdwatcher’s Wife during its first year out in the world. From the bottom of … Continue reading Joyeux Fêtes 2022!

Lured by the Birds, Paused for the Ponies: Camargue Marvel

Feeding flamingos to the left of me, rampaging ponies to the right of me. Here I was, stuck in the middle—in the middle of the Camargue, the vast, magical delta where the Rhône meets the Med. It’s Lady Luck I have to thank for ending up in this surprising scenario. That morning the sun was … Continue reading Lured by the Birds, Paused for the Ponies: Camargue Marvel

Cavorting in Charismatic Cotignac

It’s official—the petit Provençal bijou of Cotignac has joined the distinguished list of Les Plus Beaux Villages de France, the most beautiful villages in France. In short, this honor is bestowed only on very special rural villages—with a population under two thousand—that boast a compelling cultural heritage or unique architecture. But it wasn’t Cotignac’s troglodyte … Continue reading Cavorting in Charismatic Cotignac

Gourmet Escapade in the Boonies Beyond Saint-Rémy-Provence

Finding Félines-Minervois on a map might require a magnifying glass. This speck of a village, about 30 kilometers northeast of the medieval marvel of Carcassonne, is home to fewer than five hundred residents, but I knew Ralph and I were going there—and bientôt too! After reading food writer Tim Hayward’s gushing review (Financial Times, 9/10 … Continue reading Gourmet Escapade in the Boonies Beyond Saint-Rémy-Provence

Seductive Saint-Rémy to Charismatic Mèze

Saint-Rémy’s powers of seduction may be irresistible in all seasons. But summer attracts admirers like no other. Throughout the hot months, auto license plates indicate visitors hail from countless European countries and the UK, not to mention many of the far-flung French overseas territories to include Guadeloupe (#971, Caribbean Sea) and La Réunion (#974, Indian … Continue reading Seductive Saint-Rémy to Charismatic Mèze