We made it! After 14 hours on a bus, 15 hours on a plane, an emergency landing in Brasil, missing our connection from Rome to Nice, and losing our ‘big blue bag’ for three harrowing days we are finally settled in France.
Finally in France!
We currently live in a converted greenhouse (no joke) in a tiny village called Bormes Les Mimosas, about 20 km from St. Tropez. In exchange for our posh digs and a big French lunch, we’ll spend the next 4 months gardening, landscaping, pruning our very own grapevines, and doing lots of home construction.
Bormes
Home Sweet Home
The Big House 'L'Orangerie'
We thought it was a sweet deal since we not only get to explore the best beaches in France, but we are also are in prime position to awaken our Old World palates with day and weekend trips to the nearby wine regions.
Of course Bordeaux, Burgundy and the Rhone Valley top the list, but first, we want to explore the lesser known regions in our backyard. We’re smack dab in the middle of Provence in the Cote d’Azur wine region, and there are nearly 20 wineries within walking distance.
One of the vineyards in Bormes (Just before budbreak)
One thing we learned in Argentina is that great wine doesn’t have to come at a high price, and we’re convinced the same is true here. One of our main goals over the next few months is to challenge the stigma that good French wine only comes from first-growth chateaus with a 4-digit price tag, and seek out the best low-cost, high-quality reds, whites and rosés.
Also, on our summer itinerary:
- Weekly French lessons
- Launching Jeff’s viticulture adventure, ‘Project Vagabond’
- Introducing you to more amazing people via our ‘Behind the Vine’ interviews.
- Visiting the islands just off-shore (one of which is a Naturist island…Ooooh!),
- Exploring local restaurants, pubs, landmarks, and beaches to find out which, in the tourist-laden French Riviera, are worth a visit and which are overrated (St. Tropez is under the microscope next week).
10 comments
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Beth Thompson
August 23, 2011 at 7:30 AM (UTC -7) Link to this comment
Hello Brittany,
AWG has got your blog link up and rolling in our weekly emails ! You are not too far from where I am vacationing at the moment, Buis les Baronnies in La Drome. There are many small wine producers here, and we will be visiting one this evening that is completely organic and sells wine, apricots, olive oil and jams. This is the largest organic farming area in France apparently. We came here for the goat cheese, olive oil and olive products, lavender, figs and apricots…can we say paradise!
You might want to stop through this area, especially in and around Grignan. It is the area of le Cote du Rhone. There are too many producers to name!
It is incredibly beautiful and calm here. There are many Gites and Chambres Hotes where they speak English.
I have pictures that I can send by email if you’d like.
I look forward to seeing your photos as you continue in your chemin de la viticulture..
Beth Thompson
Brittany
August 25, 2011 at 2:58 AM (UTC -7) Link to this comment
Hi Beth!
Thanks so much for adding us to your emails and blogroll
The areas you mentioned sound a-mazing and we seriously could spend many more months exploring France’s chateaus and wines. We actually just left the country though and are in Spain now, learning and writing about Cava. We’ll have posts up here soon, but were still getting settled in. I’d love to see pics though especially since I know this wont be our last trip through France!
I hope you’re having a great summer and look forward to keeping in touch!
Cheers,
Brittany
2BTrusted
April 21, 2011 at 5:51 AM (UTC -7) Link to this comment
Hey, kids! It’s Eileen and Neil. Hope all is very well with you. Jealous we didn’t get to experience much of the the sunshine side of Bormes but look forward to keeping updated via your blog. Last night we landed in Bangkok. Gonna lay low here for little while until we decide where in Thailand to plant ourselves and explore. xoxo
Brittany
April 21, 2011 at 9:41 AM (UTC -7) Link to this comment
Hey guys! So good to hear from you
Things are going great so far, and the weather is almost perfect for the beach! We miss you both lots and have had multiple cheers on your behalf…especially when we finally moved into the ser!
I hope your travels are amazing and want to hear all about Switzerland, Dubai and Thailand as you explore more. Stay safe and talk to you soon
Britt and Jeff
Mammacita
April 20, 2011 at 6:23 PM (UTC -7) Link to this comment
HI Guys!!!! You little grren house is amazing and no doubt the wines are as well. You’re on to something BIG with the small price tag idea about good French wines. Deliciously smart!!! Doyouhave you smarty pantson?????
Brittany
April 20, 2011 at 11:40 PM (UTC -7) Link to this comment
Thanks Mammacita! We love it and after its completely done, you’d ever guess it was a greenhouse.
Can’t wait to taste more wines…we’ll keep you posted on our favorites
Rob Bloggeries
April 19, 2011 at 11:58 PM (UTC -7) Link to this comment
Loved France, Bordeaux and the Medoc regions my favorite. Also St. Malo was beautiful.
Brittany
April 20, 2011 at 4:24 AM (UTC -7) Link to this comment
Hi Rob,
We’re so excited to be here finally and are starting to plan our trips to both Medoc and Bordeaux now. Any suggestions on places we must visit in either region? Thanks for the tip about St. Malo too, we’ll definitely have to check it out!
Kirsten
April 19, 2011 at 11:16 AM (UTC -7) Link to this comment
VERY MUCH looking forward to following your adventures!!
Brittany
April 20, 2011 at 4:25 AM (UTC -7) Link to this comment
Thanks Kirsten! We’ve got planty in store