• Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Skip to footer

Patricia Sands

Author

  • Home
  • Blog
  • About
    • Can I visit your Book Club on Zoom?
  • Books
    • The Bridge Club
    • Love in Provence Series
      • The Promise of Provence
      • About Promises to Keep
      • I Promise You This
    • Drawing Lessons
    • Les Villa des Viollettes series
      • The First Noël at the Villa des Violettes
      • A Season of Surprises at the Villa des Violettes
      • Lavender, Loss & Love at the Villa des Violettes
    • The Secrets We Hide
  • Travel
    • Photography, France & d’Ailleurs
  • Instagram
  • If it’s Friday, it must be France…
  • Contact me

In search of the perfect chèvre …

November 3, 2012 by Patricia Sands Leave a Comment

If it’s Friday, it must be France …

When we lived in Antibes for five months in 2011 …  *pause briefly here while I weep and wail quietly lament we are not there now* … pardon my sniffling … okay, I’ve pulled myself together …

To continue … our favourite fromagier, Jacques, at the daily Provençal market in Antibes suggested a few places to visit to see how chèvre or goat cheese was produced in the traditional way.

With dear friends visiting us, we left behind the sparkling Mediterranean, passed through grape-laden vineyards preparing for the September Vendange (harvest), and headed into the countryside of Provence. It wasn’t long before we were twisting and turning our way through the narrow mountain range of the Luberon.

Luberon-PSandsPhotos
Luberon-PsandsPhotos
Luberon-PSandsPhotos

Our destination was a remote ferme-auberge (farm-inn), Le Castelas, located next to the tiny village of Sivergues (population approximately 40, we were told). Perched at 1935 feet, Sivergues is said to be the highest village in the Luberon and is a popular hiking destination. History records that in the 16th century a group of persecuted Protestants called the Waldensians hid in this area, fleeing from massacres that killed about 3,000 people in the Luberon. Imagine the stories those cobblestone lanes might tell.

Sivergues-PSandsPhotos

The writer in me wanted to stop, explore, make notes, take photos. My traveling companions were starving … hunger won out. The remoteness of the area became more apparent. Were we really on the right road? Was that bottom sign misspelled? Should we follow it instead of the directions we had?

Luberon-PSandsPhotos

The next sign, which we passed before I could snap a photo, said “fin de la route” (end of the road). We bumped along as the dirt road grew increasingly narrower, as did our confidence in the directions. Stomachs were grumbling.

Road to Le Castelas-PSandsPhotos

And suddenly we were there. Sweeping views to the west and rugged rock formations to the east filled a spectacular panorama of this part of the Grand Luberon.

Le Castelas-PSandsPhotos
Le Castelas-PSandsPhotos

Goats in rich shades of amber, beige and chocolate brown grazed in a large meadow to one side of us, some looking up with bright-eyed curiosity as we wandered into their space.

Le Castelas-PSandsPhotos

To the other side, the most gigantic pigs I have ever seen snuffled in the dirt, undoubtedly searching for tasty tubors and roots. (“Lunch,” muttered a ravenous voice in the back seat.)

Le Castelas-PSandsPhotos

The structures of Le Castelas include a large, rambling stone farmhouse/barn and several outbuildings, some dating to the 16thC. We ambled down the lane, immediately intrigued.

Le Castelas-PSandsPhotos
Le Castelas-PSandsPhotos

Combine the setting, the history, the rustic charm of Le Castelas and the delicious meal served and you have a most unique dining experience. On fine days, guests are served on long wooden trestle tables set in the fields in the midst of the goats and the breathtaking scenery.The weather was cool and windy when we arrived so we ate indoors, with cheery service provided by the owners, in a cavern-like room built of stone centuries ago.

Le Castelas-PSandsPhotos

Forget the Michelin star meals! This was the most basic and yet simply scrumptiously delicious food, organically produced on this farm, served on wooden board platters cut from the surrounding forest. The meal: fresh greens tossed with vinaigrette with warm chèvre on toasted baguette, thinly-sliced cured ham, and a selection of at least ten types of chèvre  (young and old) accompanied by a small bowl of divine lavender honey. The ham, goat cheese, freshly baked bread and honey  were all from this farm. Dessert was a tasty tarte aux pommes straight from the oven.

Le Castelas-PSandsPhotos
LeCastelas-PSandsPhotos
Le Castelas-PSandsPhotos

Sigh … just another day in the south of France! MAGNIFIQUE!

What memorable day trips have you taken that ended with a meal like no other? Let’s hear about it!

Share this:

  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • LinkedIn
  • Reddit
  • Pinterest
  • Tumblr
  • More
  • Pocket
  • Print
  • Email

Related

Filed Under: Blog, France, If it is France... Tagged With: Antibes, chèvre, Cote D'Azur, follow your dreams, French Riviera, goats, Le Castelas, living in the south of France, Patricia Sands, Provence, Sivergues, the power of friendship

About Patricia Sands

Family, writing and travel are my passions ... okay, and chocolate ... and I'm seldom without a camera. I write women's fiction and keep in touch with readers by a monthly newsletter that also has giveaways and contests. Come and join us by signing up on the right. See you there!

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. wordsfromanneli says

    November 3, 2012 at 3:54 pm

    What a beautiful trip that must have been!

    Reply
    • patriciasands says

      November 4, 2012 at 3:45 pm

      Anneli, it was yet another day to remember in that part of the world. I’ve got to get back to Sivergues and explore some of the story vibes that were hanging there!

      Reply
  2. Marianne says

    November 3, 2012 at 4:22 pm

    What a lovely day you all had, Patricia 🙂

    I love goats, they are so funny – and as for their cheese … MmmMM!

    Reply
    • patriciasands says

      November 4, 2012 at 3:43 pm

      I like goats too – very quirky and sooo inquisitive! I can’t begin to tell you how much we learned about goat cheese that day. I thought chèvre was basically chèvre. Pas de tout!

      Reply
  3. Bernadette says

    November 3, 2012 at 6:51 pm

    Sounds great, would love to have had a day out to somewhere like that while in France.

    Reply
    • patriciasands says

      November 4, 2012 at 3:41 pm

      Hey Bernadette – Perhaps another time! It’s well worth it. By the way, did you get to do the Nietzsche Trail on your recent trip?

      Reply
  4. patodearosen says

    November 4, 2012 at 10:00 am

    Thank you for taking me along on the excursion!

    Reply
    • patriciasands says

      November 4, 2012 at 3:40 pm

      Thanks for joining us!

      Reply
  5. WordsAndPeace says

    November 6, 2012 at 5:20 pm

    Ah, le Lubéron! thanks for this gorgeous page

    Reply
    • patriciasands says

      November 10, 2012 at 10:06 pm

      Thanks for popping over to my blog. I nearly fell over when I happened upon yours and will go back and spend some time there. We probably have a lot in common!

      Reply
      • WordsAndPeace says

        November 11, 2012 at 7:46 pm

        Oui!

        Reply
  6. Amber West says

    November 6, 2012 at 7:18 pm

    That looks AMAZING!

    If I had a better financial situation, I don’t think I would live any differently than I do now, EXCEPT for the travel aspect. That last photo takes me to such a happy place. Thanks for sharing!

    Reply
  7. Val Sharp says

    November 8, 2012 at 12:51 pm

    Loved the pictures and descriptions of my favorite region – the south of France. Have recently completed a novel (love story) that takes place there and filled with any descriptions. Described at http://www.TheLaValleCollection.com. Appreciate you taking a look.

    Val Sharp

    Reply
    • patriciasands says

      November 10, 2012 at 10:06 pm

      Hey Val, I will definitely look at your site. I’m in the midst of a 24-hour motor trip at the moment so it may take me a day or two. I will get back to you for sure. My new novel is also set there – hope to release in Feb/13. Salut!

      Reply
  8. Deliberately Delicious says

    November 8, 2012 at 10:06 pm

    I am transported! Your post took me back to my trip to Provence a few years back, and left my mouth watering. A selection of cheeses and salad might be my perfect meal… Delicious!

    Reply
    • patriciasands says

      November 10, 2012 at 10:04 pm

      Thanks for stopping by! How nice to hear you had a wonderful visit to Provence. It’s an amazing part of the world to make great memories, isn’t it? My mouth waters as well when I think of that simply delicious meal.

      Reply
  9. Patsy McCartney says

    November 13, 2012 at 4:20 pm

    Loved that day – wished I was there but when I got to the end how great to see John and Maria’s gorgeous faces enjoying the day with you two!!
    Patsy xxxx

    Reply
    • patriciasands says

      November 16, 2012 at 10:17 pm

      Hey you! What fun to see you here. Wish you had been in France too!

      Reply
  10. Martha Leatherwood Moffett says

    November 16, 2012 at 5:37 pm

    Ohhhh….why don’t we all live in Provence?

    Reply
    • patriciasands says

      November 16, 2012 at 6:53 pm

      Or at least some of us! Thanks for stopping by and leaving a comment!

      Reply
  11. Anne-Marie Simons says

    January 18, 2013 at 6:02 am

    Nice surprise to see Sivergues on your blog! I live in Provence and have fond memories of a leisurely summer dinner at the long outside tables. The cheese course was served on a plateau the size of a door; it took two people to carry it. Seeing every type of goat cheese but one, my husband asked the owner of he ever made “cachaille”. The answer was “No, but if you like cachaille I’ll bring you something special. Don’t mention it to anyone because it is illegal.” He came back with a white sack-like soft cheese which turned out to be the stomach of a very young goat (kid) that had only had mother’s milk. The taste? Delicious, no doubt enhanced by its illegal aspect.
    Anne-Marie Simons

    Reply
    • patriciasands says

      January 19, 2013 at 8:33 pm

      Thanks for sharing that story! I plan to return to Sivergues one day. Should I ask about “cachaille”. It’s so nice to meet you here and I’m off to visit your site now. À bientôt!

      Reply

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

Primary Sidebar

Join Me Here!

RSS
Facebook
Facebook
fb-share-icon
Twitter
Visit Us
Tweet
YouTube
Pinterest
Pinterest
fb-share-icon
LinkedIn
LinkedIn
Share
Instagram

Follow Me on BookBub

Follow Me on BookBub

Follow me on Amazon

Follow me on Amazon

Available from Amazon!

Available from Amazon!

Available Now!

Available Now!

Available from Amazon

Available from Amazon

Join me and 9 of your favourite women’s fiction authors

Join me and 9 of your favourite women’s fiction authors

The Good Life France Magazine

The Good Life France Magazine

Categories

Archives

Footer

Copyright Disclaimer

© 2020 by Patricia Sands. All rights reserved. Permission is granted to use short quotes provided a link back to this page and proper attribution is given to me as the original author. All photographs on this site are copyright of Patricia Sands

Follow Me!

RSS
Facebook
Facebook
fb-share-icon
Twitter
Visit Us
Tweet
YouTube
Pinterest
Pinterest
fb-share-icon
LinkedIn
LinkedIn
Share
Instagram
  • Privacy Policy

FTC DISCLOSURE

The Federal Trade Commission requires that I disclose any relationship I have between a product manufacturer or service provider when I write about a product or service. I may receive a small commission for purchases made via affiliate links on this site such as Amazon. The above does not affect my opinion of those products and services. I am committed to sharing the work of other authors with my friends and readers.

Copyright © 2023 By Patricia Sands · Theme created and maintained by Bakerview Consulting