About us
In 2004 we took a leap of faith and left our lives in the US behind us to make a new home in France. For my husband, who was born and raised in England, living in Europe seemed only natural. For me it was a dream come true. Having spent many years travelling and exploring Europe and especially France, I knew that the transition would not always be easy, but I was up for the challenge.
And there were challenges: enrolling our children into the local school, renovating our farmhouse, starting a business, and always tricky – French bureaucracy… But we haven’t looked back, and we couldn’t be happier here. Living in Provence has helped us appreciate life on a slower pace, respecting simple pleasures, good food, making time for conversations with the butcher, baker and gardener; friendships have flourished and we all feel very much at home here.
I started a guide business in 2006, calling it “Experience Provence!” after completing a professional giude course. This business grew out of a passion for the local history and culture, spending hours exploring medieval villages and Roman ruins. I love sharing this magical part of the world with others. I offer visitors to the region cultural tours which are custom tailored and private, veering off the beaten path and trying to scratch a bit below the surface to reveal how the history of France and the region of Provence has shaped the culture we see today in Provence.
“Provence Savoir-Faire,” translated – “Provence know how,” is an additonal service business I offer, providing concierge & caretaker services to second home owners in Provence. After renovating our family home, gaining experience in working with local artisans and builders, electricians and plumbers, I began caretaking others second homes. I employ trusted local people to clean and make repairs when necessary, while I personally make regular checks, and supervise staff all year round. I have a personal relationship with my clients and and treat their houses as I do my own, with the utmost care and respect.
Jane and Peter Satow live full time in the village of Eygalières, France with their 3 children. She holds a BA in History & English Literature from Colorado University in Boulder and Professional Guide status in France.
Stories
La Cave Aux Fromages, Saint Remy de Provence
One of my first jobs out of University was working for the cheese department in Alfalfa’s market in Boulder, Colorado. Alfalfa’s was the original gourmet organic market, which Whole Foods modelled its stores after, and now own. I absolutely loved this store, all the imported gourmet foods, especially the cheese!
When the manager of the department left I was offered his position, and thus began my apprenticeship into the world of European cheeses. I somehow felt transported to the old country just slicing into those big wheels coming from Neal’s Yard in London, and from all over France, Spain and Italy. My favorites were those little french goats cheese gems which came in all number of different shapes and sizes. They would arrive in small hand made wooden boxes, lined with reeds, each morsel would be delicately wrapped in waxed paper. You could almost smell the French countryside in those boxes. Little did I know then that I would one day live in the heart of Provence & goats cheese heaven, among the very pastures where they were produced.
In France today the best place to find these beautiful cheeses are in specialty shops or in the village markets. Here in Saint Remy we are fortunate to have just such a shop, La Cave Aux Fromages. The owner, Monique Mayer, is a board certified ‘Maitre Fromager,’ a cheese master. She has a fantastic selection of cheese from small producers all over france, and in particular from here in Provence. She stores the cheese at the perfect temperature to allow for ideal ripening. She says that French people very much appreciate their cheese in all its different stages, less ripe or ‘frais,’ or very ripe – ‘crémeux.’
Monique offers cheese and wine tastings in her stunning 12th century cheese cave/shop, a beautiful setting with vaulted exposed stone ceilings, located in the center of the historic part of Saint Remy de Provence.
