#5: Provence: First Time Renting A House

Camargue bull fight. Arles, Provence France
Bullfight in Arles. The “Razateur” (gentleman dressed in white) tries to grab the ribbon attached between the bull’s horns. Photo: J. Chung

I rented a house in La Rouviere, located in Provence, for three weeks with my friend, Laurie. I found the house advertised on a brochure by a couple who distributed a french home rental magazine. We liked their house so much we rented it.
La Rouviere is in the south of France, west of Avignon and northwest of Nimes. We concluded that “all roads go to Nimes” as we constantly drove through this town during our journeys.

The itinerary:

The Flight: to get to our house, we had to fly to Marseilles via Paris and then drive for hours to our house. The layover in Paris was brutal, mainly because of all the travellers SMOKING! (before smoking was banned everywhere)

During The Three Weeks: highlights include visiting many markets such as the the ones in Isles Sur la Sorgue and St. Remy; touring the caves of Grotte des Demoiselles which contain stalagmites and stalactites; taking a canoe sown the Gardon River under the Pont du Gard; meeting with Daniel Brunier, 4th generation winemaker of Vieux Telegraph in Chateauneuf-du-Pape; touring the Souleido museum in Tarascon to see where they make the unique Provencal fabrics. (love the fabrics, HATE Tarascon!); going to a bull fight in Arles; having lunch with a couple from England who were renovating their chateau; having the most memorable dinner ever (see next section).

Most Memorable Dinner Ever: at “La Truie Qui Doute”–located outside of Anduze, this is a restaurant where you eat whatever they are making. No choices. It was a journey getting there, through winding and dirty roads. For 164 francs (approx. $50 pp) we ate/drank:

  • 2 Kirs (white wine and cassis liqueur)
  • 1 bottle of red wine
  • 1 bottle of white wine
  • Soup with green beans and a ton of garlic
  • Something like corned beef in vinegar and garlic
  • Cassoulet
  • 3 types of goat cheese (mild, medium, and strong)
  • Vanilla ice cream with honey, grapes, peaches and currants
    Olives at the St. Remy Market, Provence France.
    Olives at the St. Remy Market, France. Photo: J. Chung
    Isle-Sur-La-Sorgue Provence Market France.
    Isle-Sur-La-Sorgue Market France. Photo: J. Chung
    Dried flowers at Isle Sur La Sorgue market , Provence France.
    Dried flowers at Isle Sur La Sorgue market , France. Photo: J. Chung

    Check out these other three posts about renting a home in France:

  • Which Types Of Accommodations Are Right For You?
  • Where To Stay In France
  • Top 10 Tips For Renting A Home In France

Trip #5 To France_ Provence