It’s with great pleasure that I introduce the next installment of the My Provence interview series.  In past posts, we’ve met folks from all across Provence and I’ve really enjoyed learning about how they came to live in this special corner of the world.

Today’s interview features the journey of Samantha Mureau, director of Dovetail-Living Interior Design Services – an on-line interiors, lifestyle, and gifts boutique; including design services.

1. What is your connection to Provence, and how long have you been living in or traveling to the region?

I was fortunate to have been a student over in Aix-en-Provence as part of my year out at my UK University. I was told that I was going to Aix-en-Provence and couldn’t believe my eyes when I arrived and saw how beautiful Aix was and also all that I managed to squeeze in to see on my year here.

I did come back with one huge souvenir after my “Year In Provence”, my then French boyfriend and now my French husband!

After my husband lived in London, which is where I’m from, for 10 years and after having 2 boys there, we decided to start our new venture as a family and head back over to beautiful Provence.

We’ve been over here now for coming up to, I can’t believe it as the time has flown by, but up to 5 years this Christmas.

2. Where is your favorite place to visit? (a tough one!)

There are so many magical and wonderful places to visit in Provence and I feel like I’m still scratching the surface after 5 years of being here. I’ve just come back from one right now, actually, one of my new favourite places – the MuCEM down in Marseille. It’s incredible and that’s just the building and the connecting of the ultra modern part with the old Fort St Jean, a total must. Then there’s Chateau Lacoste, again the mixing of the old and the new worlds of Provence and of course the beautiful and nature perfect Calanques.

3. Do you have a “best travel memory” for the region?

I guess one of my favourite memories was down in the Calanques, Sugiton, where when one of my old student friends, who is a true Aixois took us on an adventure and had us jumping down these beautiful white rocks with our fishing rods in the most glorious sunshine and with an essential bottle of rose. After a while we came down to the water, which we just had to dive into as it was a natural source of water meeting the sea and the water was really cold to dive into but then deeper into the water it was wonderful and warm – magic… What also was great was seeing a group of school children out on a “nature trip” and it was at that moment that I thought that I would have to bring my children down to this place to share the experience too.

Aix-en-Provence

4. Can you think of one piece of advice or recommendation for travelers to Provence?

Look up! Provence is beautiful from the old gorgeous towns, to the rambling vineyards, the stunning scented lavender fields and so much more but take time to absorb the wonderful intense blue skies and the light too. I totally understand why so many artists came to paint Provence and why Cezanne painted Mont Saint Victoire so many times as it is constantly changing with the light, be it soft dove grey in the morning to the most stunning rose pinks at sunset.

5. Finally, can you give us one sentence which you feel describes Provence?

Provence is rich in terms of natural colour, natural beauty and history from the glorious fountains in Aix to the hill top villages in a world of their own – plus the slow pace of life, which is essential for a true Provençal feeling.

Le Vieux Port, Marseille

Many thanks to Samantha for her insightful look at life in Provence and also for her helpful travel tips.  The MuCEM in Marseille is receiving rave reviews and definitely one to add to the must-see list.

If you’d like to learn more about Dovetail-Living, you can catch up with Samantha on the following sites:

Browse & Shop:  Dovetail-Living.com

Receive Style Updates:  Style News

Like & Share:  Facebook

Read More On:  The Style Blog

Samantha will also be hosting a Pop-up Christmas boutique every Thursday in November.  For more details & location info, please email: sam@dovetail-living.com.