There is something tangibly romantic about driving around lavender fields in a classic French vintage car. Arnelle and I went around Ardeche's back-back roads, where she lives part of the year. We gleaned the orchards for apricots too. I felt like I was in a French movie.
Arnelle used to have a catering service before she became an interior designer in San Francisco. While there, she fixed-up fingerling potatoes with creme fraiche, trout eggs, and chives.
A simple, delicious, elegant aperitif.
Tangible romance from the moment we entered into Arnelle and Rodger's world...
A peek overlooking part of their garden.
French Husband and I slept in what used to be the mangnanerie (Magnaneries were rooms where silkworms were raised)
Yes, they have a wisteria-covered terrace where they serve lunch and dinner. I adore simple elegance. Time stands still—the carefully crafted charm of authentic homes, where loving details matter. The generosity of friendship tends to the soul of everything around.
We hope to return in Autumn to pick their olives.
I can imagine the picnic under the trees,
and the drives in Arnelle's car, admiring the changing season.
It's beautiful! I went to a different spot in Ardèche, deep in a valley, deep in the mountains. It also was beautiful, in a different way--forested, alpine--and so remote. We had taken MIL, who had sheltered in a little, hidden village there during WWII.
Posted by: Taste of France | 20 July 2017 at 09:21 AM
How lovely! That explains where the apricots in an earlier post came from. Will the olives be for curing, or pressing for oil? (I'm guessing the latter).
Posted by: Kathie B | 20 July 2017 at 02:05 PM
Swooning! How I would love living right there. It is soooo beautiful! The little potato looks delicious too.
Posted by: Marilyn | 20 July 2017 at 10:50 PM
Absolutely gorgeous in every way. Fabulous photos, had me swooning too x
Posted by: Our French Oasis | 21 July 2017 at 10:40 AM
Corey...it was truly our pleasure...minus the yellow jacket episode!
See you in October. X times 3
Posted by: Arnelle Louise | 21 July 2017 at 01:31 PM
What a beautiful, wonderful place for friends to explore, harvest and just share good times together. There is a restful ambience to the landscape, a perfection of environment to nurture friendships. Your photos are, as always, just fabulous.
Posted by: Kristin | 21 July 2017 at 03:54 PM