We are far from May – the best month to visit Provence following local people’s advice but planning in advance a trip to the land of roses and lavender fields is always recommendable. Who would resist a week spent in the warm embrace of the Provençal scents, charming old towns, and tasty organic produce – available in both farmer’s markets and cozy restaurants? I know – nobody.
I’m always on board with visiting Provence, I’m even on board with moving there permanently as did the friendly owners of “Les Oliviers du Taulisson” – Dina and Guy, who have dreamt of living in the area since they were teenagers. Originally from a small town in the Belgian countryside by the river Schelde, presently Guy & Dina run their own hospitality business in Provence and regularly host both tourists and relatives.
Guy and Dina’s “heart and home”, as they refer to the little village Les Valettes Beaumont-du-Ventoux, is situated near the popular among cyclists and hikers Mont Ventoux. The family describes their Provençal experience as: “living life in the slow lane, pure and simple” with their 2 teenage children, Maxime and Clarice, and a bunch of animals: a few chickens, a dozen fish, a bunny named Cookie, 3 sheep with lovely names – Louise, Chocolat & Vanille, 4 goats – Annabelle, Casper, Mimi & Bella and the cute ginger cat Maurice.
Currently, their B&B’s IG account has a huge number of followers – above 200k, but back in 2017 – when the adventure began, Dina and Guy relied on a mouth-to-mouth recommendation and returning guests who started pre-booking the place during the ongoing house renovation: “An intense 9 months of renovations brought our dream to live. It was fun! People followed our blog where each Wednesday we posted progress updates! That gave us an extra drive and motivation!”
The couple had some core style differences with the previous owner’s design choices and changed the place to their preference.
“The former owner was an architect with a love for bold and shiny colors, plastic, and dark spaces so we decided to renovate it using a lot of white color and natural materials, bringing in all the light possible. The building itself was an old traditional ‘maison d’architecte’. We put our heart into restoring the place, choosing authentic and locally sourced materials with a simple yet timeless style. Sustainability is very important for us, so everything was thoroughly chosen”.
Dina and Guy’s mornings usually start quite early, and their first task is to feed the animals. The pool is second in line to their daily responsibilities and third is preparing breakfast:
“We serve a varied breakfast, and all is prepped with a pinch of love so that takes time. We set the table, and each day decorate it differently, we light candles, and put on some classical music for our guests. During breakfast, we also discuss their plans for the day and offer recommendations. Hours in a day really fly by. We help the guests with restaurant reservations or cook dinner upon request. We do some shopping if needed. This is a tasking yet very fun and fulfilling job. We make everything fresh and use only local produce.”
8 is the maximum number of guests hosted at Les Oliviers du Taulisson because Dina and Guy cater to all visitors alone. That was never an issue for the couple – on the contrary. Guests fall in love with the luxury of seclusion and the calmness of the slow travel concept thoroughly implemented in their B&B’s DNA.
Co-author of a book about Provence, Dina is the most eloquent local guide you would ever find. A Master of Hospitality, she knows how to put into words why their B&B is a must-visit place:
“Our Bed & Breakfast is situated at the foot of Mont Ventoux, away from the tourist crowds, while still conveniently close to everything. From the terraces, you can enjoy the stunning views over the ‘combes’ hillsides of Mont Ventoux, the orchards, the lavender fields, and the olive groves. Provençal countryside in sounds, scents, and textures. Sip on a chilled rosé or take a dip in our mosaic pool while saying ‘bonjour’ to our animals. Play a game of ‘boules’ or just relax with a good book here”.
Can’t wait to visit? Arm yourself with patience and good vibes. The high demand for Les Oliviers du Taulisson will probably delay your next Provençal vacation by months. The good news is that Dina and Guy have a Backup plan for you in their second townhouse B&B in Malaucène. Visit their IG’s DM for more info and room vacancies.
Photos: Courtesy of Les Oliviers du Taulisson
