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Lisa St. Lou's avatar

This read felt like I was there, with you, flâner-ing, sipping, dipping, and writing. Beautiful post about, yet another, beautiful French spot in the South of France. Bisous! xx

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Wini Moranville's avatar

Merci, madame!!

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Betty Carlson's avatar

This sounds like how the French used to vacation, and many still do. I live here and feel like I need this type of holiday immediately! You might want to buy locally made jam though -- there are plenty available!

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Wini Moranville's avatar

Yes! Great tip about the jam! And those lucky French—they have so much vacation time to do a holiday like this!

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CJ's avatar

Lovely!

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Gary McClelland's avatar

We've been following this Provencal routine since 1997 but we've been less promiscuous by staying true to our original village of Bédoin. Your day sounds much like ours with a few differences. We seldom read the IHT anymore, instead reading La Provence. We add in lots of biking to our typical day. And many of our dinners are some of the infinite variations on salade composées. The timing of less expensive flights have put us in interesting other places in Provence before or after we can be in our rented house (always with pool) such as Cassis, Arles, Le Côte Bleu, and Menton. We will be following the daily routine all of June in Bédoin. Our 18th time. A few days I will have coffee and croissant with the boulanger who baked the croissant. What could be better?

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Wini Moranville's avatar

This sounds so great! I should try reading La Provence!

Salade Composées are the way to go. Are you familiar with Richard Olney’s “Scoundrel Salade”? (Salade Canaille). It’s just the best way to eat in summer. I wrote a post on it a while back, and I’m thinking of doing a book on it! I have to come up with a catchy title, as no one remembers Olney and his salade composees the way I do….

Here’s the post, in case you missed it:

https://www.winimoranville.com/recipes-stories-reviews-and-more/2022/7/6/easy-bastille-day-menuwith-a-little-help-from-your-friends

And another recipe on the same theme.

https://www.winimoranville.com/recipes-stories-reviews-and-more/2022/7/16/french-salad-platter-with-chicken-swiss-chard-roasted-carrots-and-farro

Not to say you need any more recipes or ideas—I’m sure you have your own. But I just love the philosophy behind his Salade Canailles!!!

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Brian Overcast's avatar

Wonderful article! Much better travel advice than listing the "Top 10 Things to Do in the South of France."

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Wini Moranville's avatar

Thanks. I really think that these ideas apply to anywhere you go that has a seaside (though of course, switch in the local foods). As you mentioned in your note, could well be Mexico!

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Anthony Marigold's avatar

Lovely

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Ice Cube Press, LLC's avatar

So. Right. On. —> “We linger over the International New York Times and a coffee at the café where we’ve become familiar faces; we watch the sea change with the day’s ever-shifting light. We swim, we dine, we nap, we stroll. It’s a practice in attention”

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Wini Moranville's avatar

Thanks. I just put myself out of a job as a guide, as this is mostly what anyone needs to know!

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Ice Cube Press, LLC's avatar

A good day to post this as it’s Kerouac’s birthday. A fellow on the road observer

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Wini Moranville's avatar

So funny you should mention this. Dave reminded me it was Kerouac’s birthday this morning over breakfast.

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Allison's avatar

This is wonderful! I’ve been travelling to France for about a decade now and this pretty much sums it up! Heading to Menton in May and cannot wait. I now have my little family in tow (a one and a four year old) and while it is a little busier, it’s a perfect way to holiday with little people too!

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Wini Moranville's avatar

That sounds delightful! I love watching children discover the delights of the sea!

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Connie Taylor's avatar

I love this, Wini. And, of course, I love the references to Collioure. I just took a peaceful and refreshing vacation in my mind! Thank you!

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Wini Moranville's avatar

Thanks! I keep coming back to Collioure in my mind, too! Glad you enjoyed it, Connie!

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