country living in provence – the art of french hospitality

by Sharon Santoni

garden seating in french home

If you follow me on instagram, you will know that I have been in provence for a few days, being spoilt rotten by some very dear friends.

dinner table in south of france home

We are fortunate to be invited here each summer, and as always I find myself amazed at the incredible hospitality and generosity that that is part of daily life in this home.

french-country-hospitality-my-french-country-home

With my friends’ permission I am just sharing a few vignette shots, of the small and thoughtful details that turn a  house into a home, and make guests feel like kings and queens.  From the fresh bouquet placed on a bedside table, to the careful choice of garden seats in the shade, to the lavender in the cupboards, to a beautifully laid lunch ….

french country home in provence

More pictures than words, but hey!…. I’m on holiday.

Hope you’re enjoying a lovely week, thank you for reading me

shutter detail on provence home

41 comments

stadtgarten July 23, 2015 - 8:32 am

What a beautiful place! Enjoy your holiday!

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florence July 23, 2015 - 8:52 am

Thank you sooooo much to spare those wonderfull moments with us, while being in holydays ! lucky you are !

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Marian from UK July 23, 2015 - 10:08 am

That’s it, I’ve got to go! Planning a trip to France once hubby retired in 2 years!! Going to brush up my French in the meantime. Thanks Sharon for the inspiration! have a wonderful holiday.

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Our French Oasis July 23, 2015 - 11:20 am

Looks like heaven, have a fabulous holiday

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Jacqueline July 23, 2015 - 12:11 pm

Pictures are words and so many beautiful ones! Lucky are those who live in Provence where you can live outdoors so much of the day and evening. Thank you for sharing. Bonne continuation des vacances.

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The Enchanted Home July 23, 2015 - 1:05 pm

I think I need a friend in Provence!!!! I feel more relaxed just having looked at your pictures and in fact every time I visit your blog. You could make them most wonderful coffee table picture book with all of your charming pictures, it could be like therapy in a book:)

I always find it interesting how pictures tell a story and here its one of laid back, elegant, casual living and it is a beautiful thing! All the small subtle details are just wonderful.

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Vicky from Athens July 23, 2015 - 1:21 pm

What a lovely setting. Casual elegance at it’s finest Enjoy every minute of your stay!

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Denise July 23, 2015 - 1:40 pm

You are a very special lady Sharon, you deserve to be spoiled.
Thank you,

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Jennifer from Glen Rock, Pa. July 23, 2015 - 2:19 pm

Paradise – total paradise!!

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Monica July 23, 2015 - 2:24 pm

Heaven………… that is what it looks like. I imagine it feels like Heaven also. Brings me happiness to see this beauty happening in the world. Thanks for sharing.

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Ute July 23, 2015 - 2:44 pm

hi Sharon. What gorgeous photos. Can you please tell us – the small woven baskets next to each plate- are they purely decorative, or are they for a particular purpose? Would they be used for bread? Most intriguing?

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Sharon Santoni July 23, 2015 - 3:37 pm

Hi Ute, the baskets were placed to hold a piece of bread for each guest to the table. 🙂

x

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Betsy July 23, 2015 - 2:54 pm

Gorgeous! Each photo makes me want to step in, sit down and relax!

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Jean Watkins July 23, 2015 - 3:00 pm

Love the photographs!! Have a fun trip! Thanks for sharing.

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Suzanna July 23, 2015 - 3:05 pm

OH LA LA….! ! ! XO

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Cherry July 23, 2015 - 3:34 pm

Enjoy your holiday!

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judy July 23, 2015 - 3:38 pm

Ohhhh! Brings back memories of France. But how lucky to have friends there to share with you. We had settings like this but were alone. Not the same. Now we try and create atmospheres in Canada that are similar!!! And shsre with friends here.

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Terri July 23, 2015 - 3:42 pm

How lovely! I could easily spend many hours sitting and drinking in that gorgeous view! Pre-ordered your book and cannot wait for publication!

Thank you for bringing in a bit of France and Provence to my life!

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Pamela July 23, 2015 - 4:15 pm

What beautiful photos!! So relaxing to look at . Thank you so much for sharing part of your holiday.
Enjoy!!

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linda July 23, 2015 - 4:36 pm

I love Provence and your pictures do tell a story. I was wondering about the forks on the table having the tins turned downward instead of up. Is that usual?

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Val July 23, 2015 - 9:07 pm

Linda, I was told that the cuffs of lace on long sleeves that was common centuries past, would get caught in the upturned forks;therefore the tines would be face down to prevent snags!

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Pamela July 23, 2015 - 5:00 pm

I just read your story you started on Monday. It was soo good the water colors are great. I love adventures ! I can not wait to see how this storie unfolds.
I was talking with my mom and telling her how I would like to take a trip and maybe live in France . She was telling me that my dad and her took a few trips and did what she called off the beaten path visiting they stay among the locals and my dad would sit and talk with the older men.as my dad spoke French . English was his second language. She said it was just beautiful there. Thank you for the story can not wait to read more.

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Sally July 23, 2015 - 5:16 pm

Thank you for sharing your experience with us! As always your photos are stunning. Enjoy your vacation–it looks amazing!

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Karena July 23, 2015 - 5:16 pm

Thank you, Sharon for bringing us so much beauty, enjoy your getaway!!

xoxo
Karena
The Arts by Karena
Featuring Artist Leah Bowring

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Roslyn Short July 23, 2015 - 6:34 pm

I agree ! You do deserve to be looked after Sharon & in such a beautiful setting !Would they like to swap houses for mine in Sydney ?? Amazing to bump into you in P Bert .Im in Giverny & painting in Monets garden next week ,just driving around loving the GPS so easy . Looking forward to catching up with u next week ,staying in Clos Fleuri , Bon soirée Ros

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Colleen Taylor July 23, 2015 - 6:46 pm

Wow Sharon, what a glorious place to vacation! Paradise, Heaven on earth just to name a few thoughts that come to mind. Enjoy! X

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Henrik July 23, 2015 - 7:02 pm

Hi Sharon, nothing Can match having friends in Provence, who will invite you as their summerguest. In lack of such friends, we have bought our own piece of paradise i La Grande Motte. Enjoy your stay, with enchanted evenings and quiet talks, that continue into the night under a canopy of wines and wisteria.
Best
Henrik

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Sarah July 23, 2015 - 7:24 pm

how lovely! It reminds me of my mother-in-laws home in Vaugines in Provence. So much lavender every where! It’s such a great area of France to visit.

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Marilyn July 23, 2015 - 7:38 pm

Gorgeous! Dreaming of sitting on that lovely veranda.

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Barbara Rapp July 23, 2015 - 8:13 pm

Absolutely beautiful!

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PEGGY BRASWELL July 23, 2015 - 8:48 pm

you are truly blessed + great photos xxpeggybraswelldesign.com

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Sheila July 23, 2015 - 10:42 pm

Absolutely beautiful. How fortunate, enjoy and I appreciate the photos. I can only dream…

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Christine July 23, 2015 - 11:32 pm

Lovely photos! Loved the white bowl with the blue flower on lunch table. I am always looking for new ideas for table decorations and will be using this one! Was it agapanthus?
Thanks for your lovely newsy blog

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Sharon Santoni July 24, 2015 - 6:57 am

Hi Christine, no, not agaphanthus, but plumbago …. the most lovely shade of blue

x

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Linda July 24, 2015 - 5:18 am

Thank you for sharing these photos of a truly magical place.

Linda

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Nancy Brantley July 24, 2015 - 5:32 am

Thank you so much for sharing these pictures with us. I will never have the funds to go to France but I can tour thru your blog. I love French décor and I am always looking for French finds for my home.

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Deb July 24, 2015 - 6:42 am

Looks so wonderful there. As an avid reader of books about expats living in France I am constantly reading of invitations to “get togethers” that the expats interpret as “casual gatherings” like an Aussie BBQ that in fact turn out to be more “event” like in the expat eyes. Long tables, white tablecloths with exquisite table settings that of course include carefully thought out flower arrangements. Then there is the many food courses prepared by the hostess which would impress anyone, with all of the appropriate wines etc. I’ve read stories about expats wondering why the champagne hasn’t been served yet as they stand waiting then realising it’s impolite to start until everyone has arrived and others arriving late to what they thought was something casual and realising everyone has been waiting for them before they could eat.
I really like the fact that the French go to such efforts and make their friends feel so welcome. I have never experienced anything like this myself as I am more accustomed to the “Bring your own”
culture which does get a bit confusing when you are not quite sure of what to bring.
More information on this should be in the travel guidebooks.
It’s funny how the French have a bit of a reputation for being rude when from what I see and hear it’s the opposite.
How lucky you are to have such thoughtful and nice friends.
Debbie

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Nancy July 24, 2015 - 7:03 pm

Lovely!!!

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Delaine July 25, 2015 - 11:41 am

I always ADORE your photos…like it is said, pictures speak a thousand words! Merci for sharing your French life with us! It makes for a happy day for me!

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donna July 26, 2015 - 12:14 am

Hello Sharon,
I love the cutlery on your friends table – are they bone handles and are they easy to come by in France? I hope to be up there next year and would love to hunt for some.
I love you blog and also looking forward to the next installment of your story.

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DianeD July 29, 2015 - 11:41 pm

I am so enjoying this story and I love your photographs as well as the watercolors. It makes me yearn for the country side of France again.
Your blog is one of my favorites and I love seeing it pop up in my inbox.
Enjoy your holiday,
DianeD

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