Two Top Places to Discover In Provence

The past few days have positively swirled with Network Provence energy, and two major events have shown the actual value of connections made through our network, with upward spirals of collaborations in play all over the place.  

On Thursday evening, Ruth Ribeaucourt of Faire Press and founder of Mira Menerbes and Faire Residency hosted a book launch for her formidable collaboration on the Antoinette Poisson “A Year In the French Style” Interiors and Entertaining with Jean-Baptiste Martin and Vincent Farelly. This book, the papeteries and fabrics alongside as well as all the Antoinette and Poisson accessories, are heart-stoppingly beautiful, of course, but also unique and far away from the “look” we usually are served as French style, while all at once presenting such a marriage of antiquities and glorious colours and design of right now. Ruth captures magic in photographs and sends it straight to hearts like no other. The words, the images and the glimpse into the possibilities of their collaborative book are jaw-dropping.

They may become a bible of striving towards the ultimate beauty of living a French-styled life. The celebration at Mira was sublime, with sponsorship by Victoria at Maison Victoire to provide wine from Racines in Bonnieux, served up by Jess and Pierre with mini-lessons about their delectable vintages on offer. We had a sumptuous table of treats from the authors themselves. Many women of Network Provence were present, and the sparkling community of creatives and connoisseurs were an absolute delight. You can visit Mira Menerbes to see the world of Antoinette Poisson until November 26th. 

Following this on Friday, we met again at the vernissage of Janice Jaquet‘s exhibition “Landscapes in Chromatic Abstract” Ode To Provence, at Le St Hubert in Saint-Saturnin les Apt. Long-time member Janice presented her beautifully executed, ethereal and dreamlike paintings that graced every wall of the restaurant. The canvases in this collection represent Provence’s skyscapes, landscapes, and colours, echoing the rich glow of light that causes the viewer to see in paint the views we imagine we are looking at in the dawns and golden hours, which nature treats us to here. The turnout of guests was formidable, and the only negative was the brevity of time allowed before the restaurant hosted a private dinner with the artist. Again, many of the audience were NP ladies, always an inspiring mix of personalities and talents. One could have spoken for hours with all the guests; however, time was limited as we were seated to enjoy a delightful meal inspired by Janice’s Caribbean, Indian and Scottish heritage. St. Hubert did a fantastic job interpreting this fusion to make the meal delicious. Ode to Provence will be showing at Le St Hubert through December 24th. As Lise has recently announced new hours (and menus!), we highly recommend visiting to view Janice’s heavenly paintings and experience the restaurant’s hospitality.

We are fortunate to have this community and these outings to meet our fellow Provence lovers in person. Even at such high-profile events, it is certain that you will feel not only inspired but included with Network Provence. Of course, not everyone can attend the daytime meetings, but going out together allows us to speak, dream up future collaborations, and see what is happening in the region.

By Maryna Fontenoy for Network Provence

How We Network Staying in Provence

How We Network in Provence

On Friday the 13th, Network Provence stayed IN, meeting at the Maubec home of our founder Rebecca Ronane, where we were treated to an insightful presentation by home styling expert Karen Stride and shared a delicious potluck lunch in the garden. It was a lucky day for all of us, enjoying great company under the sunny October skies with a clear view of the petit Luberon’s majestic heights.

 

What is it like to come to a Network Provence meeting? You might be intimidated to show up at a stranger’s home and meet new people in an intimate setting. However, I can assure you that more than in any other gathering I’ve attended, the welcome of NP women is uncannily relaxing and inclusive. This group celebrates our diversity in age and origin because of the knowledge that we have one thing in common. We have all come to this region to attain a change of life, direction and often career. We are of different ages and have lived in the area for various periods. Our family styles, income levels and goals are varied as well. Still, here we are, communing in Provence, in love with the light, the land and the possibilities we are creating as women of Provence. The odds are good for making creative connections within the group, which Network Provence also celebrates. More than just a network to find tradespeople or customers, Network Provence sees regular collaborations arise from the individual members. We are enthusiastic about encouraging and supporting each other’s endeavours as a group. So, when discovering Network Provence, the intimidation factors soon evaporate. To be in the company of such warm women is at once a comfort and an inspiration.

A few weeks back, Karen Stride gave a notice to develop her presentation of the day using a home needing an update. Jan Burgess took up the challenge and sent photos of her “snug” – a cosy room where she loves to pass the time but which had become cluttered and needed an update. Karen came back with many ideas for brightening and bringing in light, moving current objects and artwork to maximise space and comfort, and ideas for new objects that could update the space. Her knowledge of where to source furnishings and her expertise in colour theory was explicit. Karen knows so much about colour, both what is typical of the region and how to modernise it. Jan left with many suggestions to help her craft a better snug with her current furnishings, plus some new items she had not previously considered. We all left with ideas for our decor and a small amount of lamp envy. If you have a decorating dilemma- Karen should be your first port of call.

Our al fresco lunch was simply delicious, made by everyone, and enjoyed in Rebecca’s natural garden, which has a beautiful array of plants and flowers suited to this dry garden region. This meeting was “fill your plate and grab a seat” with lively conversation and laughter. No stuffiness, political debates or pretences allowed. We discuss our businesses, our latest restaurant or new shop discoveries, our upcoming plans and everything in between. There is a very comforting sense of being seen and heard. We searched Rebecca’s garden for seeds we could forage for our gardens, which became a metaphor for a deeper sense of why we gather like this.

Hopefully, if you are new to the region or just new to Network Provence, you can join us soon at one of the future events and enjoy community benefits with the women of Provence.

By Maryna Fontenoy for Network Provence

A Celebration of Artists in Provence

A Celebration of Artists in Provence

Saturday Network Provence was privileged to join Nicky Ginsburg at her NG Art Creative Residency to celebrate the artists who have passed there this year working on their creative endeavours. If you’ve never been to the Moulin de Gréoux, it is a work of art in itself and well worth a visit while you can view the current exhibitions, which are up through October 15th.
A presentation of the Malaika Foundation took place, which helps support street kids in Nairobi. This project is just one of the charitable organizations NG Art Creative Residency supports. There were also sumptuous tables heavy with fruits and planchas of cheese, meat, and delicious comestibles cooked up by Nicky and her team. Wine flowed, music charmed, and with over 50 artists working on the show, it was a very interactive evening.
We were thrilled to see four works by Janice Jacquet of Network Provence on display and look forward to seeing more at her upcoming Luberon exhibitions.

It was a starry night indeed, and what a beautiful place to enjoy great art and company.

By Maryna Fontenoy for Network Provence