After almost a week of vintage shopping in Paris, we said goodbye to several of our ladies and headed to Provence. As much as everyone dreams of shopping the Paris Flea Markets, spending time in Provence is always a close second. We have been wanting to add a trip to Provence to our group tours but we had never been. After about 4 hours sleep, Val, Michele, and Gigi got up at 5am to catch a train to Aix en Provence.
The TGV is a high speed train that takes a little less than 3 hours from Paris.
Very comfortable!
The scenery was amazing! Literally straight out of the movies. The photos aren't too great because the train is going 150 miles an hour or more....
This may look like water, but it is actually a sea of flowers........
We arrive at Aix en Provence, and what a lovely surprise! All of the beauty, art and architecture of Paris...
With the quaint and quiet simplicity of the country side...
Jill from LeTrip is our guide, and takes us on an exasperatingly short visit to the vintage market, as we had a lot of ground to cover in a very short time.....
Even quicker visit through the intoxicating food market. Fruits, flowers, spices....
We visit a variety of hotels, from opulent to very basic, until we find the perfect spot for our next shopping group. Funky meets chic, with everything a Red Shed Girl deserves....
We also visit restaurants and shops. Then Jill starts torturing us, by visiting her "secret" haunts which will only be revealed on our next tour...
On a hidden backstreet, NO ONE would find without a guide....we find treasure, upon affordable treasure! The most fabulous tole lamp I have ever seen! (I think it was 20 or 30 euros)
This table stopped everyone of us in our tracks! (40 e). Alas, we did not have time to buy..(and ship), this was a SCOUTING journey...
We now headed by car to the outskirts of Aix. We visited the Provincial home of Colette, an antique dealer. We plan to have a private sale and lunch by her pool included in our next trip.
We then visit the shop of lovely Agnes. We pull up and our jaws drop....dreamy curtained porches..
Beautiful flowers and trellises....
Michele made herself at home.........
These carrot baskets broke our hearts!! (cuz they couldn't come home) only 8 euros!
Our next stop was totally unexpected. We were greeted by chickens and WWII army bunkers!
But the familiar sign, told us we were "home"...
Just thrown in the yard...........
We spent so much time there, we missed our next 4 stops before Jill had to take us back to the train! She said "GEE, I didn't know you would get so excited about this place!" (Never met us? Never read our blog?) Of course GiGi couldn't resist a red velvet chandelier (pic forthcoming), that Jill arranged to ship for her.
Bottom line? Provence is too wonderful NOT to do for our next France trip. We are looking at possible container shipping, several days of vintage shopping between Provence and the Mediterranean, Spa days, cooking classes, art classes? There is honestly SO MUCH to do and enjoy. We are looking at dates THIS October , so if you are interested, let us know as soon as possible. 817-310-6006 or Michele@Riverside-Travel.com.
Our flight was safe and comfortable and we all arrived with our many, many bags and packages in tow. Those who mailed have already received their treasures, including the dress form! Thanks to all of the GREAT ladies, Tamra, Weta, Janet, LouAnn, Jackie, Kathy, Fran, Linda & GiGi, who made this trip SO GREAT for Michele and I. We are glad you had a good time!
Next Years Paris dates: April 20 - 27th!
Valarie
Look at the distressed metal tag, It says "lovely flower, as beautiful as an angel"
Love this great clock. It is large, probably 30" tall, and wonderful blue green color..
Love these metal garden shoes! They're not French...but we can pretend.....
We immediately thought of tons of fun things to do with them....without ever putting them outside... How about you? How fun would it be to serve those skinny breadsticks from one?
These petite dress forms turned our heads! Absolutely perfect for displaying jewelry, hats.. just about anything!
Great little touch...
And we finally got some of our Le Jardin de Cure metal divided garden totes back in. This is definitely our best seller because it goes from the kitchen, to bath, to office, to garden with out blinking an eye! Every one of us has at least one in our homes.
All of these can be purchased at Pardon My French! Our online French Boutique.
Don't forget to mark you calendar for June 26th for our French Market Sale at The Red Shed. We will finally be bringing out ALL of our treasures from Paris!
