Saint Rémy de Provence is a town full of surprises.
It is a town small enough to feel like a village but large enough to have everything and more.
I fell in love with this quaint town, with the plane tree avenues leading to and fro and I fell deeply in love with Provence and the lifestyle.
Provence changed me in ways I never would have foreseen. So many years on and the same attractions resonate, even more so. I never feel like a local yet nor am I an outsider. An expat in a foreign country is a strange place to sit; a large mix of excitement, wonder and unfamiliarity ensures life is never dull.
When you are familiar with a place it is difficult to decipher the best or the most interesting or even the “not to be missed“. The answers depend on the length of a visit, specific tastes and individual interests. Saint Rémy has been a part-time home for many years and as new ventures come and go many of the original places I first discovered are still my favourites.
If you asked me, off the cuff, the where to’s, this is what I would say.
Chateau des Alpilles is the most beautiful “baby” chateau five minutes from the centre of town. The decor is superb with a quirky mix of traditional French and contemporary style. Dining outside on the gravel courtyard looking back at the plane tree driveway on one side and the imposing Chateau on the other is close to perfection.
Le Petit Bijou, is our home-away-from-home village house in the centre of town and buying, restoring and operating Le Petit Bijou has been a labour of love. I think it is the perfect compromise between hotel accommodation and doing your own thing. Christiane looks after the guests, welcoming them and making everything possible.
The “where to shop” is a little harder. Where to start?
Saint Rémy de Provence is a town with many small boutiques offering so much delight and temptation. If vintage is your dream the new Les Boutiquiers du Midi is a must visit and for all things spectacle, the eyeglasses at La Grand Magasin are the best.
Prefer homewares? The linens at Les Comptoirs des Alpilles are gorgeous and the glass and tableware at NM Deco totally covetable.
And as for French lingerie, de Douceur et de Soie is every woman’s temptation.
If one attraction is it and you can forgo the Roman ruins and the views of Van Gogh’s wheat fields, Carrierès de Lumierès is your destination; dramatic, spectacular and not to be missed.
There is the market on a Wednesday morning.
If there is one take-away in the market it is the soap; the fleur d’oranger and the almond scented bars are my very favourites followed by the jasmin and the verveine fragrances.
Then I would need a basket to hold them all. xv
Where to STAY
6 rue du Parage, 13210 Saint Rémy de Provence contact: vicki@vickiarcher.com Le Chateau des Alpilles Route du Rougadou, 13210 Saint-Rémy-de-Provence +33 (0) 4 90 92 03 33 Hotel Sous les Figiuers 3 Avenue Gabriel Saint-René Taillandier, 13210 Saint-Rémy-de-Provence +33 (0) 4 32 60 15 40
5 Rue Carnot, 13210 Saint-Rémy-de-Provence +33 (0) 4 84 35 07 20 Hotel Gounod 18 Place de la République, 13210 Saint-Rémy-de-Provence +33 (0) 90 92 06 14 La Maison du Village Boutique C’est Ainsi Cute and casual clothing; perfect for a Provencal getaway. 15 Boulevard Victor Hugo, 13210 Saint-Rémy-de-Provence de Douceur et de Soie silks and satins and everything underneath 27 rue Carnot, Saint Rémy de Provence Les Boutiquiers du Midi Vintage and more a Pucci paradise. 20 rue de la Commune, 13210 Saint Remy de Provence La Grand Magasin The best selection of vintage eye frames around. 24 Rue de la Commune, 13210 Saint-Rémy-de-Provence Ebene Home décor in the most beautiful setting. 38 Boulevard Victor Hugo, 13210 Saint-Rémy-de-Provence Penates Home wares and gifts. 10 Rue de la Commune, 13210 Saint-Rémy-de-Provence Kayana Everything to wear for a summer holiday in Provence. 35 Boulevard Marceau, 13210 Saint-Rémy-de-Provence Libellule More gorgeous home wares and take home decoratives. 10 Rue Jaume Roux, 13210 Saint-Rémy-de-Provence Le Bazar Saint-Remois Nothing you need; everything you want. 1 Rue de la Commune, 13210 Saint-Rémy-de-Provence Les Comptoirs des Alpilles The best contemporary linens for the home. 2 Place Jules Pelissier, 13210 Saint-Rémy-de-Provence NM Deco My favourite home wares shop of all. 9 Rue Hoche, 13210 Saint-Rémy-de-Provence Le Ruban des Senteurs Delicious and divine scented body products. 46 Rue Lafayette, 13210 Saint-Rémy-de-Provence Route des Baux de Provence, 13210 Saint Rémy de Provence +33 (0) 4 90 92 23 79 The Cloister of Saint Paul Mausole Avenue Dr Edgar Leroy, 13210 Saint-Rémy-de-Provence +33 (0) 4 90 92 77 00 Carrierès de Lumierès Route de Maillane, 13520 Les Baux-de-Provence +33 (0) 04 90 54 47 37 Les Baux de Provence Maussane, Mouries Eygalieres Towns a little further Aix-en-Provence, Avignon, Arles L’Isle sur la Sorgue The Luberon Region Villeneuve –les-AvignonWhere to SHOP
Where To VISIT
