Le Journal

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Honest Takes

7 stories

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  1. lavender in Provence

    Honest Takes · Aug 4, 2019 · 2 min read

    Escape to Provence

    The lavender fields of Provence draw crowds from around the world and for good reason. The beauty of the flowers themselves, grown in massive rows that stretch for kilometers, are enough to whip your senses into shape, but then you combine the plant’s wonderful aromatherapy at work, and Provence in July is a perfect prescription

  2. Petanque Valbonne France

    Honest Takes · May 4, 2019 · 4 min read

    France 101: Petanque

    When I think of summer in the south of France, many things come to mind: the endless sunshine, the blue waters of the Mediterranean, the persistent sound of the cicada, the low roar of the crowd on a market day, the taste of cold rose by the pool, rows of purple lavender, sunburned tourists taking

  3. Gorges du Verdon

    Honest Takes · Jul 2, 2017 · 1 min read

    Dip Into Gorges Du Verdon

    The Gorges du Verdon is often referred to as Europe’s ‘grand canyon’, but one could argue it is much more beautiful and diverse than the actual Grand Canyon, and quite a bit smaller in scale. Rather than viewing a barren desert, red rock and a brown river at the bottom of the canyon, visitors to

  4. Fete de Saint Jean Valbonne France

    Honest Takes · Jun 24, 2017 · 2 min read

    Fête de la Saint-Jean in Valbonne

    There is a special summer buzz in Valbonne square this warm evening, fueled by pichet’s of rosé, Provencal music, the laughter of friends, and the anticipation of the organized chaos that is to come after dinner. Tonight is the 24th of June, the Fête de la Saint-Jean, and in this part of France, it means

  5. Piscine at Club 55 Saint Tropez

    Honest Takes · Jun 22, 2015 · 2 min read

    La Piscine at Club 55

    There’s a spectacular stretch of white sand near Saint-Tropez, that has become the ultimate spot to see and be seen since Bridgitte Bardot made it famous 50+ years ago, Le Club 55. The rich and famous flock to this celebrity playground during the summer, so don’t be surprised to look up and see Leonardo DiCaprio, Kate

  6. Yacht with Bikini in Saint Tropez,

    Honest Takes · Sep 23, 2012 · 1 min read

    Week in Photos: St Tropez, Eze, Monaco, St Paul de Vence, San Remo

    With family in town, we spent the week exploring Biot, Saint Tropez, Eze, Monaco and Saint Paul de Vence in France/Monaco and San Remo, over the boarder in Italy. Gallery des Arcades in Biot. This is a great restaurant that serves a mix of Provençal food with an Italian flare. If you can, grab a table

  7. Tips for Tuscany

    Honest Takes · Apr 9, 2012 · 4 min read

    23 Tips (and growing) for Visiting Tuscany

    1. Make time to see attractions at sunset or at night. If you are taking photos, the best light is often in the last hour of the day. If you can, visit popular tourist attractions after 9pm to avoid crowds and get a different perspective. Sometimes seeing things at night can be a new experience

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The first thing about Hidden Pond is fir trees and wood smoke.

Todd Snyder designed The From Away Lodge after his firstCandelaria, Paris.

The Mexican restaurant in the Marais behind the door that looks like a wall. The taqueria in front; Three lobster rolls. One bike. One Kennebunk. 

My bike lives on Boothby Road. It goes everywhere here — past the traffiCinque Terre.

Five villages on the Ligurian coast — Riomaggiore, Manarola, Corniglia, Vernazza, Monterosso. The trains Memorial Day, from Kennebunkport.

The flags are out across Maine — on the porches, in the trees, at the harbors, above A Provençal mas in the Luberon.

The shutters open onto a field; the field stops at a hill; the hill stops at a horizon.