The day of the wedding had arrived at our charming countryside hotel in Aiguines, the Chambre d'hôtes - Ferme de Chanteraine. The summer morning warmed quickly, and after a restful night in our rustic-style room - with its wooden window framing a breathtaking view of the mountains - we couldn’t resist starting the day with a refreshing swim in our superb outdoor pool.
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Dancing through lavender dreams - la vie en violet 💜🌿
Photoshoot by my babe <3 Carl |
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| La poste carte de Valensole, Provence 💜🌿 |
Around 9:00 AM, we made our way to the terrace where we enjoyed a simple but delicious outdoor breakfast filled with fresh fruits, locally sourced meats and cheeses, and aromatic bread. Two other families were already eating, including the friendly woman with her dog named Gatsby. We soon found out all three families, including us, would need to check out that day as the rooms were reserved for the incoming wedding guests.
We grabbed breakfast from the small dining room - a smiling, full-figured hostess greeted us warmly, asked for our room number, and invited us to help ourselves. Though it was a classic petit déjeuner, the flavors stood out. While we ate, the hotel’s dog - a sleek Braque d’Auvergne - trotted around charming the guests. It stalked birds in the grass and then made its way to us, cheekily stealing my partner’s croissant, then my cheese. With velvety fur and stunning golden-brown eyes, the dog was irresistible. But our time was limited - we had a long journey ahead, from Valensole through Provence to Saint-Guilhem-le-Désert.
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| Bonjour, mon chien-chien! 🐶💋 |
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| Mon amor avec un doggo concierge 🏰🐾 |
As we descended from Gorges du Verdon, we were treated once more to the magnificent views of Lac de Sainte-Croix and the Verdon Gorge. We stopped briefly to admire the emerald-green river below, where swimmers, kayakers, and paddle boarders were already making the most of the morning. The water’s signature color comes from microscopic algae, glacial limestone flour, and natural fluoride in the riverbed - a magical natural chemistry. Though tempted to dive in, we chose to keep driving to stay on schedule.
Soon, the landscape began to shift: we had entered Valensole. Lavender fields stretched to the horizon, their vibrant purple hue almost unreal against the sun-baked earth. At the second field we passed - already dotted with parked cars and enthusiastic photographers - we pulled over. The scent was intoxicating. Fueled by spontaneity (and a little boldness), I posed for a few cheeky shots right in the middle of the field. When else would we be here? We couldn’t resist making the moment unforgettable.
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Bare, bold, and blooming in Provence
Photoshoot by my babe <3 Carl |
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Bathed in sunshine, kissed by Lavender 💜✨
Dreamy photoshoot by my babe Carl <3 |
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| Golden sun with the purple blooms are pure magic💜🌿 |
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| Lost in lavender dreams 💜✨ |
Before leaving Valensole, we made a stop at Lavande Angelvin, a well-known lavender shop. Even before stepping inside, the fragrant air welcomed us. Inside was a wonderland: soaps, essential oils (you could buy 5 litres bottles!), dried flowers, creams, lotions - and even bottled water for hot and happy travelers. I picked up a few lavender goodies and two bottles of water for the road.
By then, the heat wave was in full swing - easily 32°C. We needed a cold drink and figured Avignon might offer a break. We admired the grand Palais des Papes from the car (parking and traffic were tricky), but couldn’t find a nearby bar. Pressed by the heat and time, we pushed on toward Montpellier, making a pit stop for gas along the way.
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| Palais des Papes à Avignon |
And then finally, a bar named Café du nord appeared in our google search in Remoulins. We parked a few hundred meters away since parking wasn't allowed out front. My partner walked ahead keen for refreshment, and, as I followed, I spotted a baby bird on the street, struggling to move. I gently scooped it up—no obvious injuries, but it was clearly dehydrated and overheated. I ran to the bar, calling my partner’s name. The bartender and a few patrons gathered around, and we ordered two beers (one unalcoholic!), as they didn’t have Aperol Spritz, and a bowl of water for the tiny creature.
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| In Remoulins, we found this tiny life in need - a baby housemartin too weak to fly |
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| When Provence beauty meets an unexpected act of kindness? 🌿✨ |
After checking the little one carefully, my partner identified it as a baby Housemartin - likely fallen from its nest due to the heat. A small detour turned into an impromptu rescue mission, as we could not bear to leave it helpless, and somehow, it felt like a fitting moment of tenderness and wonder to cap off a day full of vivid colors, sun-soaked roads, and unexpected joys.
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| One of my most unforgettable travel moments is one hand held beer, other held a life🐦 |
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| We gave 🐦 water, kept it safe, and brought it to the nearest vet |
We took the tiny creature to the nearest vet called Clinique vétérinaire du Gardon. The vet assistant greeted us warmly and was willing to take care of the bird wholeheartedly until it was ready to fly by its own. We were also given a short education about the requirements that a baby bird needed before it could fly by its own, and how they were struggling with the heat while still too young to fly. Afterwards, we were going back to our car to continue our journey. There was this undescribeable happiness within us after we succesfully resuced a baby housemartin :D
As we continued our journey, the Provençal landscape shifted once again. Approaching Saint-Guilhem-le-Désert, the monotonous highway gradually gave way to rolling vineyards, reminiscent of the idyllic countryside near Saint-Tropez. We even passed the majestic Gorges de l’Hérault, with its dramatic cliffs and sparkling waters. The scenery evoked memories of the Gorges du Verdon earlier that day - a beautiful echo of nature’s grandeur.
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| Gorges de l'Herault |
Around 4:00 PM, we arrived at La Taverne De L'escuelle, a traditional village hôtel nestled in the heart of Saint-Guilhem-le-Désert, surrounded by cozy bars and restaurants. After finding a parking spot nearby, we checked in.
Right away, we felt something was... off.
The young men managing the front desk were informally dressed, didn’t speak English, and lacked the professionalism you'd expect from a hotel receptionist in an international location. My instincts were already wary … and unfortunately, they proved accurate. When we entered our room, we found two pairs of socks from the previous guests still hanging on the curtain pole! There was no WiFi, and the bathroom had poor ventilation! We were drenched in sweat shortly after showering!
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| Two pairs of socks hanging on the curtain pole in our hôtel room! |
We politely reported the issues to the staff, but they refused to acknowledge any fault. “The WiFi should work,” they insisted. “The room is clean.” Clearly, that was not our experience. We decided to drop the argument for the moment and headed out for drinks - Aperol Spritz time, of course!
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Saint-Guilhem-Le-Désert
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| Spritz o’clock - santé & cin cin! 🍹☀️ |
Later that evening, we chose a French restaurant right next to our hotel, which had a solid 4.5-star Google rating. We were the first to arrive, yet the waiter (possibly the owner) served others who came after us first. That frustrated my partner’s sense of justice. We nearly walked out - but stayed. And thank goodness, because the food turned out to be fantastic. My partner had a beautifully cooked prawn dish, while I enjoyed grilled octopus that was flavorful and perfectly tender.
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| My yummy grilled octopus🐙 |
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| Beautifully cooked prawn dish |
After dinner, we took one last romantic stroll through the narrow streets of Saint-Guilhem-le-Désert. The village, with its medieval charm and quiet ambiance, softened the edges of a day filled with intense heat, emotional detours, and minor frustrations.
We returned to our room to rest, already dreaming about our next and final destination: the legendary naturist village Cap d’Agde - our boldest stop yet.
✨ Travel Tips:
💜 Valensole & Lavender Season
- Best time to visit: Late June to mid-July for peak lavender bloom.
- Photo tip: Early morning or golden hour (just before sunset) for the best lighting. Be respectful and avoid trampling the flowers.
- Don’t miss: Stop at Lavande Angelvin for lavender-based products and photo ops.
🐦 Bird Rescue 101 (If You Find a Baby Bird)
- Don’t feed it right away. Dehydration is often a bigger issue than hunger.
- Keep it cool: Use a bowl of water and gently shade the bird.
- Find a vet or wildlife rescue center: Use Google Maps or ask locals.
🏙️ Avignon Drive-by
- If short on time, admire landmarks like the Palais des Papes from your car.
- Parking in Avignon is notoriously difficult, so plan a short walk or consider park-and-ride lots.
🛑 Avoiding Disappointing Stays
- Always check recent reviews for hotels, not just ratings.
- Watch out for mentions of cleanliness and staff responsiveness.
- Have a backup accommodation in mind if your first choice goes wrong.
🐙 Where to Eat in Saint-Guilhem-le-Désert
- Restaurant service may be unpredictable in small villages. Don’t hesitate to speak up politely.
- Grilled seafood dishes here are a solid bet.. fresh and often locally sourced.
🚗 Driving Tip
- Provence roads are scenic but can be windy and narrow.
- Plan gas stops ahead. Some stretches between towns are surprisingly remote.
