welltraveledbrit

We're back from our five months in Europe and did ongoing trip reports from Lisbon and paris which are here on the forum. During the trip we took a few side trips including a weekend in the Luberon, four days in Burgundy and ten days in the Dordogne. hopefully i'll get around to trip Reports on all of these trips but I thought I'd start with a quick trip report on our trip to the Luberon. It's so charming in the spring with the earl buds on the vines and the irises and lilacs in bloom everywhere.I've included links to my blog where you can see lots of pictures.

I love this part of France and we've been here multiple times, I always enjoy it, even in January! The joy of returning to the same place is that we don't feel obliged to run around seeing things and we let ourselves relax. This time we stayed at Bastide de Capelongue which is a two star restaurant and hotel just outside of Bonnieux. The view over the hilltop is fabulous, so beautiful. The hotel is elegant and comfortable and one of my favorite places to stay. the rack rates are expensive but every time we've stayed we've booked through a Luxury Link auction which makes the half board rate more reasonable.

Pictures of the hotel and an explanation for why we keep returning here -
http://somuchmoretosee.blogspot.com/...y-we-cant.html

The food is of course a major draw and we can't resist three days of haute cuisine. What I love about Edouard Loubert's food is that it's a reflection of the local area. He is a master in te kitchen and the youngest chef to attain two Michelin stars. We ate a cedar souffle and last time we were here we walked in the cedar forest nearby. WE had wonderful meals including morels and white asparagus which were in season and even a dis of snails that was delicate and fragrant very far from the wizened chewy butter drenched bistro version. Here are some photos and a discussion on my blog, you can see why we loved the meals, the aesthetic design, flavour, balance and preparation really stand out.

http://somuchmoretosee.blogspot.com/...t-bastide.html

In an effort to work off some of the meals we took a lovely walk through the countryside from Bonnieux to the nearby hill town of Lacoste, were the marquis de Sade's chateau can be found. It's a gorgeous and easy hike through a variety of landscapes including orchards, vineyards, small country roads and tracks and stone hill towns on both ends, highly recommended. I love getting out into the countryside on foot as it give you a real opportunity to enjoy the landscape and to take you time. I really feel this is the way to see, smell and experience Provence.
We found a great description of the walk on slowtrav (thanks to Kathie for posting) and you can see links and pictures of the route on my blog.
http://somuchmoretosee.blogspot.com/...ular-hike.html

Have fun if you find yourself in this part of the world!

grandmere

Lovely pictures, and the commentary made me feel as though I were experiencing the area itself. Makes me want to go back to that part of Provence asap!

welltraveledbrit

Glad you liked the pictures! When I wrote the blog post on the walk I wanted to enjoy it again too, it is a lovely part of France.

Mathieu

How wonderful !
I love places like that for a day or two, and your prose and pics have done justice to a deserving establishment and it's chef.

Thanks for sharing.

M

welltraveledbrit

Thanks for the reply!
We went on another great short hike while we were in the Dordogne which I'll hopefully get around to a TR/blog post on soon. Clearly i need to blog about walking because reading about food is making me hungry.

KathyWood

Always great to meet someone else who loves our village of Bonnieux! And glad my hiking notes on the walk between Bonnieux and Lacoste were helpful to you--

Kathy

welltraveledbrit

Kathy,
Thanks SO much for the notes we really enjoyed the afternoon! You're lucky to spend so much time in that part of the world.

susan001

I've often thought the best way to visit a region is on walking paths. I've been to this region, but only place to place by car. I once did a walking tour of northern England, and it was just fantastic. Great way to really "experience" a place.

I love your photographs and blog. I've been planning to detail my upcoming trip in similar fashion.

How fortunate for you that you've had this much time in that lovely part of the world.

welltraveledbrit

Glad you enjoyed the photos and the blog. We enjoyed the walking so much on this trip I'd like to plan another trip in France around the walking itself.

cigalechanta

Did you read Kathy's husband's book? Some scenes take place in Bonnieux

welltraveledbrit

cigalachanta - I haven't read the book, what is the title?