Bien sûr!  Brush up on your French, but don't worry if you're not fluent. Villagers usually respond to pointing and head shaking. However, standard travel phrases come in handy, and it's fun to be able to chat with locals. Countless language books are available through www.amazon.com. Back to Top
Here are two: French in 10 Minutes A Day  gives you the basics. Hugo Language Course: French in 3 Months, with cassette Also, www.journalfrancais.com, and other French sites get your brain working again en français. The Michelin Green Guide — if you've traveled in Europe, you know that this is essential reading. Published in a format that makes it an easy traveling companion, the Provence edition is full of sightseeing information, history, useful French words and phrases, maps, touring itineraries and more. Michelin Map #245 — use this detailed map to identify places, routes and distances outlined in the Green Guide. Purchase in advance and study the maze of small country roads before you encounter them in traffic. www.provenceweb.com — click on town names for information, pictures, event schedules. Patricia Well's At Home in Provence: Recipes Inspired by her Farmhouse in France  lets you anticipate the gastronomic possibilities, find the best cheeses, and try simple but elegant recipes. Each of our houses has a well-used copy. The Markets of Provence provides details about daily, open-air markets in nearby towns. Robert Parker's Wines of the Rhone Valley  is the definitive guide to everything from Marseilles north to Côte Rôtie. Parker's extraordinary palate and knowledge of the area offer a reliable roadmap to hundreds of wines and winemakers. Visit Robert Parker's site: eRobertParker.com Provence, The Art of Living  offers a glimpse into private homes and gardens of some of the world's most interesting designers, artists and collectors. Pierre Deux's French Country Style and Source Book  explores the rich ingredients of Provençal style. Hundreds of photos and chapters on fabrics, furniture, pottery, color, houses and gardens. Provence: A Country Almanac  explores the region from the perspective of a 30-year American resident and tour guide. A Year in Provence, by Peter Mayle chronicles his adventures living in the nearby Luberon Valley. Guaranteed to put you in the mood for country life. Others by Mayle: Toujours Provence, Encore Provence, Hotel Pastis, and Chasing Cezanne.   From Paris, take the TGV train to Avignon (two-and-a-half hours) or a one-hour flight to Marseille. Pick up your rental car and drive to the villages. We recommend small to mid-sized cars only (to navigate narrow streets, minimize expensive fuel and avoid being a target for thieves). We've taken nearly every conceivable route and mode of transportation and are happy to share other options with you. Our best routing from Portland is on Lufthansa, to Frankfurt, then on to Marseille. Or contact us for other ideas. Back to Top   Pack lightly and go casual — especially important if you plan to travel by train, which can turn into a real hassle if you're hauling loads of luggage. As to how to dress, remember Provence is a casual place. Leave the coat and tie at home — you'll never wear them unless you combine your stay with a visit to Paris and you plan to eat at fancy restaurants. And good news for the ladies: provençales are rarely seen wearing stockings, even in winter! Back to Top   Weather is typically Mediterranean — usually warm and sunny from mid-April to mid-September. Recently however, weather patterns in Provence seem to have shifted, as they have elsewhere. Friends have reported shirtsleeve weather as early as February — and as late as November 15. One summer we wore sweaters to a Bastille Day celebration in July! The infamous Mistral, a cold, northwest wind, can be fierce and comes on unexpectedly. We've also experienced downpours in all seasons, so take a jacket, a warm sweater and a light raincoat — and think sun. Back to Top