A tour of our village ... Saint Pantaléon

Saint Pantaléon, is not quite a village, but rather a hamlet, with approximately 180 residents. Between the famous Luberon villages of Goult (2 km) and Gordes (5 km) it is surrounded by cherry farms, olive groves and masses of vineyards. This has been our home for the Summer, and we have fallen in love with the place ...

It is quiet, calm and doesn't have the tourists that the main villages in the area do.

It doesn't take long to tour the town. There's the Mayor's office, the lovely WWI memorial, the Bistro and the Church. Plus a few winding streets dotted with quaint cottages, overgrown gardens and even a telephone box!

 

 

 

The main tourist drawcard of the town is the 12th century Church "l'Église de Saint Pantaléon". That's right 12th century!!! The key to the Church can be borrowed from the town Mayor, who of course knows us as his Australian neighbours (yes, we live across the street from the Mayor!)

The Church was built on limestone and when you walk around the perimeter there are many graves dug into it. Legend has it that Saint Pantaléon was the priest of this Church in the early middle ages. In those days people believed that if you died without being baptised you would go to purgatory. And only a priest could baptise a child. The distances to the nearest priests were far and often babies died in childbirth. But Saint Pantaléon was gifted with the ability, according to legend, to revive the deceased children just long enough for them to be baptised. So people came from afar, and while waiting the bodies were placed in the dug out graves surrounding the Church.

But Saint Pantaléon is more than just a church. Within walking distance from home is the fabulous Bistro de Roques, also serving as a bar, cafe, bread depot where you can order bread and croissants every morning and épicerie (like a corner store). It is run by the Mayor's daughter and her chef husband and we frequent there at least once a week for lunch. They change the menu every day and for three courses charge a mere 16€. We always walk away full and happy. It is fantastique!.

'Saint Pant' really is a little piece of paradise. We find ourselves looking at the local real estate, chatting about what we would do if we had a place here, and hoping that that October doesn't roll around too soon when we have to hand back the keys. We know full well that we are #blessed to be living here and hope that it stays off the tourist beat as best it can.



A xx

Doorways

They say that kids first start to develop long term memories between the ages of two and three. We hope that E remembers the summer house, the 'big jumps' we do into the pool, the taste of the strawberries and our long morning walks.

I am certain one memory will last, that of the doorways.

Random doorways scattered all over France where he patiently waits, while we try and snap that perfect pic.

Whether this memory is a good one or not, only time will tell.

Scott. 



... the apple does not fall far from the tree, does it...

Market to Table

We eat a lot of vegetarian meals here in Provence. There really isn't a need for a lot of meat when the fresh produce is so good, so varied and so cheap! It is the season of zucchini, eggplant and tomatoes and they are in abundance at every market. A bag of 8 zucchini flowers cost me 2€! I think one zucchini flower would cost that at home. This would have to be the cheapest meal of the week....

First I made a provençal tian (gratin) which is alternating rows of zucchini, eggplant and tomato. Covered in good local olive oil and of course, my go-to ingredient, salt with herbs de provence. Roasted slowly until soft and golden. Served at room temperature so the flavours mellow.

The zucchini flowers were battered in a beer batter recipe the market stall owner gave me. It was so easy. Pan fried in sunflower oil till golden.  

Et voilà! Dinner is served. A side of crusty bread with fresh goats cheese and a glass of wine .... mmm...  do I have you salivating yet?!

A xx

Toddler travel trials

Keeping a 2 year old entertained abroad has been a challenge ... we spend less time in museums, more time in parks. Less time having fancy dinners, more time watching Peppa Pig and getting E down to sleep. You would think that an endless holiday with Mumma and Dadda would be enough for him, but we still have the usual antics of tantrums and tears (from all three of us!) when some days nothing seems to go to plan. We have a new found respect for stay at home parents!

Where possible, we'll try and centre a days activity around E, but that is certainly not every day.

On the 'off' days he patiently watches us fumble around trying to create something interesting for him; "cutting grass" (below), painting pine cones, lining up toys, chasing the soccer ball, making cubby houses under the kitchen table, and cleaning the car.

However, these are often short-lived and the enthusiasm and energy of this toddler means we run out of steam hours before he does and we give in to some of his vices; iPad, ice-cream and bloody carousels.

Yes there are tough days with him where we miss day care and babysitters, but they are far outweighed by the good days, and better yet - the brilliant little moments, which happen all the time. Watching this little guy grow up before our eyes is very precious. 

Scott & Alison

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Oh, and if all else fails, get the kid a lollipop. 7 minutes of happiness right there.