PRACTICAL INFORMATION ABOUT LOURMARIN

Weather:  For the current day's weather in Lourmarin, go to the home page of our website: www.RentOurHomeInProvence.com.

To convert Centigrade to Fahrenheit:  a) multiply by 9; b) divide by 5; c) add 32.

To convert Fahrenheit to Centigrade:  a) subtract 32; b) multiply by 5; c) divide by 9.

Parking:  Parking is available in two main lots, located along avenue Raoul Dautry and at the intersection of rue Montee du Galiver and D943, as well as on many of the village main streets.  (See Lourmarin map in “the binder” in La Bonbonnière or L'Oustaloun.)  DO NOT PARK in the market area (streets around the soccer field) on Thursday night - you will be stuck there until the market is over Friday after 1 PM.   Parking in a private secure lot is available to guests of La Bonbonnière.

Office of Tourism:  This small building, located on avenue Philippe de Girard, near avenue Raoul Dautry, is brimming with brochures, maps, and information.  (See Lourmarin map in “the binder.”)  The hours are Monday through Saturday 10:00-12:30 and 3:00-6:00 although they may vary depending on the season.  (tel: 04 90 68 10 77).  Email: ot-lourmarin@axot.fr

Business Hours:  As in most villages, business in Lourmarin is conducted in the morning hours (approximately 9 a.m. to 12:00/12:30 p.m.), after which time they close for a two to three hour lunch.  Most re-open between 2:00 and 3:00 p.m. and keep their doors open until 6:00 or even 7:00.  Many businesses close on Sunday and/or Monday.  There are exceptions, such as Supertaf II, the grocery store, which often does not close for lunch.  The larger grocery and department stores outside of Lourmarin often stay open through lunch, but the Super U in Puyvert does not.

Holidays:  The French take their holidays more seriously than do most Americans.  All government agencies, banks, and most stores close--and everyone hits the road.  Traffic is heavy and accommodations are often fully booked for the weekend closest to the holiday.  The two weeks following Easter, the last two weeks in August, and the two weeks around Christmas are extended vacation time for many French families.  Listed below are the major holidays recognized in France.  (Source: France Tourist Office)

Name	2009	2010	Closings
New Year's Day	Jan 1	Jan 1	Everything
Good Friday - Christian	Apr 11	Apr 2	Not Everything
Easter - Christian	Apr 12	Apr 4	Everything
Easter - Monday	Apr 13	Apr 5	Everything
May Day / Labor Day	May 1	May 1	Not Everything
1945 Victory Day	May 8	May 8	Everything
Ascension Thursday - Christian	May 21	May 13	Everything
Pentecost Sunday (Whit Sunday) - Christian	May 31	May 23	Everything
Pentecost Monday (Whit Monday) - Christian	June 1	May 24	Everything
Bastille Day - France	Jul 14	Jul 14	Everything
Assumption Day - Christian	Aug 15	Aug 15	Everything
All Saints' Day - Christian	Nov 1	Nov 1	Everything
Remembrance Day / 1918 Armistice Day	Nov 11	Nov 11	Everything
Christmas - Christian	Dec 25	Dec 25	Everything

Post Office:  The Post Office, located on avenue Philippe de Girard, is open Monday through Friday and Saturday mornings.  Naturally, they close for lunch.  (See Lourmarin map in “the binder.”)

ATM:  There is an ATM in Lourmarin, near the Post Office.  (See Lourmarin map in “the binder.”)  Other close locations are in Puyvert (5 minutes away) which has an ATM in SuperU grocery store and in Cadenet (10 minutes away) which has several ATMs that are accessible 24 hours/day.  On market days, weekends, and holidays, the ATMs in the smaller villages (including Lourmarin) may run out of money (so you may want to be prepared for that possibility).  The French refer to cash machines as a distributeurs.

Spending Money:  Just about all of the restaurants and stores in Lourmarin take credit cards and a handful of vendors at the market will do so.  (The small grocery store in Lourmarin do not take credit cards, but the larger ones, for example, in Puyvert and Pertuis do.)  MasterCard and Visa are much more widely accepted than others, including American Express and Diner's Club.

In choosing which credit cards to take with you on vacation, we recommend that you check with your credit card holder to establish what foreign exchange transaction fees are added on to your charges made in foreign countries--it may range from 2-4% on top of the purchase price!  Capitol One is one of a few banks that still offer a card that does not add on these fees.  (Check with them to determine which of their cards offers this courtesy.)  For the unwitting traveler, opening your bill after your lovely vacation can be shocking.

We also recommend that you notify your credit card holders--at least three days in advance--that you will be using your card(s) for foreign transactions.  Even if you travel overseas frequently, the bank may place a hold on your card when foreign transactions begin to roll in.  We have found that it is prudent to call more than once, particularly if the bank uses an automated service to record this information.  We would even go so far as to suggest that you find out which telephone number can be dialed--from overseas--should a problem arise.  We have had a hold placed on our cards on more than one occasion--even when we have notified the bank!  For this reason, it is also a good idea to bring along more than one credit card.

Cash, of course, is welcome everywhere and unless you are making a significant purchase for which you would like the protection afforded in a credit card transaction, we would recommend cash.  ATM machines--referred to as distributeurs--are now available even in some of the very smallest villages in Provence.  There is, of course, a fee for the perceived privilege of withdrawing your own money from a bank other than your own, but this is still one of the least expensive routes to go.

We recommend that you verify with your bank that the card will be accepted overseas, establish what the transactions fees will be, inform them that you will be traveling overseas (so that your transactions will be approved!), and confirm that your daily withdrawal limit is adequate.  If it will not work overseas or the fees are too high, get another card!  If you feel the limit that may be withdrawn per day is inadequate, you can ask your bank to increase it.  (See other caveats under “ATM” in this section.)

Traveler's Checks typically cost money to buy and to cash and are not widely accepted.  Don't go that route!

Always bring along the contact information for the credit and debit cards in the event that you run into problems.  Some people recommend making front and back copies of your cards--which would need to be kept in a secure place or left at home in the care of someone whom you could call in the event of loss or theft.  (Make these copies the same time you make copies of your passport!)  At minimum, write down the numbers of the credit cards.  You will need to be able to provide the verification details for yourself as well as those of the primary cardholder.

Tipping:  Regarding cafés and restaurants, the service charge (service compris) is always included in the menu price.  Since taxes are included within the price of each item as well, you will know exactly what the bill will be.  No additional tipping is obligatory, but, unless the service has been poor, it is customary add a little extra.  If it is a drink in a café, round up to the next euro or so.  If, for example, you plan to have your morning café crème in the same café every morning, we would recommend leaving some extra change on the table or when you pay the bill say, c'est bon to the garçon.  When in a restaurant, if the service has been exceptional, leave an extra 5 to 10 percent or a euro per person, the exact amount depending on the quality of the restaurant and your habitude.  Always try to leave the tip in cash.

Taxi drivers might get a little extra, but the typical trip in the Luberon is so long that the fare is already pretty high.  If it is short, a tip of around 10% of the bill would nice.

Bathroom attendants get around 25-50 cents, unless posted otherwise.

Ushers in the theater (including movie theaters) expect around 25-50 cents.

Occasionally, you will see the sign, “Pourboire Interdit,” which means “tipping forbidden.”

Time to Eat:  Now that you know what to tip when you go out to eat, when should you go out?  For lunch, typically, plan to arrive between 12:00 and 12:30 p.m. and no later than 1:30 p.m.  Any later--and sometimes even 1:30 is too late--you could be politely turned away.  Cafés are much more flexible.  For dinner, 7:30 p.m. is the earliest most restaurants will open with the notable exception of Le Ratelier.  (Again, cafés are much more flexible.)  Many restaurants will not begin serving until 8:00 or 8:30 p.m.

To ensure a table and as a matter of courtesy, reservations should be made for dinner, even if you call at the last moment.  For lunch, if it is a small establishment, reservations are a good idea for the same reasons.  (This is not necessary for cafés.)  A very small restaurant will only buy enough food for the patrons they are expecting for the day.  Many restaurants in Lourmarin fill up quickly.

Finally, it is customary in France for the waiter to bring the check when you ask for it (and not before).  In fact, it is considered rude to do otherwise, as if he or she were hurrying you through the pleasures of your meal and conversation.  (Likewise, it is also considered rude to engage in the practice--now commonly accepted in the U.S.--of removing individual plates of diners before all of the parties at the table have finished that course.)

When you are ready for the check, say “l'addition, s'il vous plait.”

Other Notable Differences When Dining Out:

• Dogs will be frequently seen wandering around in cafés and restaurants and, when accompanying their owners, may be found under the tables enjoying meals served--in an attractive bowl--by the restaurant or even be seen sitting on chairs at the table.  Cats are often meandering about as well.
• There are no “to-go” coffees in paper cups.  Sit down and relax! (We have spotted "to-go coffee in Paris in recent years!)
• Most establishments offer a “prix fixe” meal, which is usually the best choice, but you may also order “a la carte.” “Entrée” refers to the appetizer course and “plat principal” refers to the main course.  It is not necessary to order all the courses.
• For children under age 12, ask for the “menu enfant;” even if it is not listed, a nice restaurant will be willing to offer something more child-friendly.  (One of our favorite stories stems from a dinner at Le Moulin in which the waiter's response to our inquiry about “menu enfant” was “qu'est qu'elle désir la princesse?” to which our daughter, all of eight years old, said that she would like a rack of lamb.  It was not on the menu, but the chef, the renowned Edouard Loubet, prepared a beautiful rack of succulent lamb that was served with just the right amount of pomp and circumstance.)
• “Doggie bags” are not customary, so don't ask unless you want to see the waiter roll his eyes.

Plugging In:  The voltage in France is 220V (compared to our 110V in the U.S.).  To use a U.S. appliance you will need a voltage converter and an adapter plug to fit the round prong system of the French electrical outlets.

Many computers and battery chargers are dual voltage already.  Turn the adapter pack over and look for a marking that shows INPUT: 100-240V.  In this case, you can plug it directly into the outlet by simply using an adapter plug for the round pins of French outlets.  DO NOT PLUG IN ANY OTHER APPLIANCES THAT ARE NOT CLEARLY MARKED INPUT: 100V-230V.

Buy any converters and adapters before leaving the U.S.  They are difficult to find in France and much more expensive.

Telephone:  Pay-phones are available in the main intersection, Place de l'Ormeau (across from Café Gaby), and on avenue Raoul Dautry (across from the playground and soccer field).  (See Lourmarin map in “the binder.”)  Even if you own a cell phone, you may still wish to make your overseas calls on a pay-phone as it is much less expensive. (Neither La Bonbonnière nor L'Oustaloun has a telephone.)

Most French pay phones will only accept phone cards, which may be purchased, in various denominations, in France or in the U.S.

In France, these cards may be purchased in post offices and "tabac" stores (small stores typically selling tobacco, newspapers, and magazines) including the "tabacs" in Charles de Gaulle Airport and most other airports and train stations.  In Lourmarin, they are available at the Post Office and Le Tabac.  "France Telecom Télécarte" is the easiest card to use: simply insert the card in the appropriate slot in the telephone and follow the very simple directions.

International phone cards (which may be used in countries other than France, including the U.S.) may be purchased before you leave the U.S.  (For a good selection, see www.nobel.com or www.zaptel.com.)

When calling locally or within France, simply dial the 10-digit number, which begins with a 0.  When calling from France to other countries, first dial the European long distance code, 00; then the country code (1 for the U.S. and Canada, 44 for the UK, 61 for Australia, and so on); and finally, the area code and telephone number.

So, for example, to call Jessica Fletcher in Cabot Cove, Maine, in the United States, dial 001 first, then the area code (207), and then the telephone number (555-1234).  When calling to France from the U.S., dial 011; then the country code, 33; and, finally, the telephone number (minus the first 0).

Internet Access:  Wireless (WiFi) internet service is available at Le Thé dans L'Encrier, the tea salon a few doors down from La Bonbonnière.  The owners of the tea salon, Mapi (who speaks English) and Christophe, have a laptop that may be used (if no one else is using it) or bring your own laptop.

There is also internet access available in Espace-Lourmarin on Av. du Rayol (just to the left of the steps leading to the library.) After an initial membership fee of 8 euros, the rate is 3 euros per hour to use their PCs and 1 euro per 24 hrs. with your own computer.  The days/hours are limited but they have a reciprocal relationship with the Tourism Office and the Library for internet use. Tel: 06.81.94.84.96

All the major villages and cities nearby (e.g., Ansouis, Cadenet, Pertuis, Aix-en-Provence, Arles, Cassis, Isle-sur-La-Sorgue, and Vaison-la-Romaine, to mention a few of the closest) offer wireless internet service.  Because this is a fairly new service in this area, the specifics in each town seem to change fairly quickly.  Check with the Office of Tourism in Lourmarin and in any other relevant village.  Very importantly, some offer the use of computers and others just offer the wireless (WiFi) internet connection.

Grocery stores:  There is one small grocery store in the village, both on rue Henri Savornin: Supertaf II.  The largest nearby grocery store is SuperU, which is located in Puyvert, less than 10 minutes away (hours are 9 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., 3:00 to 7:30 p.m. on Monday through Friday; 9 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. on Saturday: and 9 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. on Sunday).  In Pertuis, there are two large grocery stores (HyperU and HyperChampion) and they are open through the lunch hour and on Sundays.  Shopping carts can be obtained by inserting a euro into the slot in the center of the handle of the cart, which dislodges a "key".  When you return the cart, re-insert the "key" and your euro will be returned.  (You can also usually get euro-sized slugs from the store.)

Wine Cooperative:  There is a wine cooperative, La Cave à Lourmarin, on Place Henri Barthélémy.  (See Lourmarin map in “the binder.”)  We recommend their red Domaine de Rhodares and their white Les Terasses de Sarazins.

Pharmacy:  Located on Place H. Barthélémy, this store has everything to treat what may ail you (and more).  They are very helpful.

Markets:  Friday is market day in Lourmarin with approximate hours of 8:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.  (See "Market Days" for information about nearby markets.)  Remember:  DO NOT park in the market area (the streets along the soccer field) on Thursday night.

Laundry/Dry Cleaning:  The closest laundromat is located in Lauris and is called “Lauris Laverie.”  This is a self-service business and there is not an attendant present, so remember to bring plenty of change.  From Lourmarin, drive through the downtown area of Lauris and, at the end of this area, you will make an obligatory hard right turn onto Ave. Philippe de Girard.  The building is on the left, just past Glamour Coiffure, on Ave. Philippe de Girard.  Daily hours are 7 a.m. to 8:30 p.m.

In Cadenet, there are two facilities offering both laundry service and dry cleaning.  “Cadenet Pressing,” the only one in which we have ever found any one answering the telephone (and that person was very helpful), is located just a few blocks from the center of town.  The address is 10 Place 14 Juillet, at the intersection of Boulevard de la Liberté and Cours Voltaire.  There is no self-service laundromat here.  The hours are 8 a.m. to 7:30 p.m. on every day but Wednesday and Sunday, when they close at 12:00 p.m. and 6:00 p.m. respectively.  Turn-around time is 48-72 hours.  (tel: 04 90 68 21 09)

Also in Cadenet, “Pressing Laverie Hoche,” is located at 1 rue Hoche, in the center of town, just a few blocks from the statue of Le Tambour d'Arcole (The Little Drummer Boy).  To the best of our knowledge, this facility offers drop-off and self-service.  It also provides dry cleaning services.

For just dry cleaning, another option is in the Super U, in Puyvert.  Drop-off service is available Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays only.  (tel: 04 90 08 40 73)

Hair Salons:  There are three salons in Lourmarin, two on the main street, rue Henri Savornin and another on avenue Philippe de Girard.  Our family is very familiar with the work of the very talented Nadege, who just returned to Lourmarin, after a three-year gig in Aix, to open Drôles de Dames on avenue Philippe de Girard (tel: 04 90 68 36 70).  We are less familiar with Côté Sud, the one across from Supertaf II, but they have a good reputation and we have been very satisfied on the few occasions we have been there.  (tel: 04 90 08 57 88)

Public Toilets:  There are toilets located on the stairs to Place Henri Barthélémy and at the Boules area on Boulevard du Rayol.  (See Lourmarin map in “the binder”.)  These toilets have the conventional “sit-down” toilet to which most Americans and British are accustomed; however, other amenities such as toilet paper may be missing.

General Information about French Toilets:  First, the salle de bains (French for “bathroom”) usually refers to the bathroom in someone's home and, in any case, does not necessarily have a toilet in it.  Look for Toilettes or W.C. (“Water Closet”).

Second, lights are often on timers.  So, there are no switches; instead you must close the door to activate the light.

Third, toilet paper is reportedly considered an amenity although, in our experience, it has usually been there.  (Carry your own to be sure.)

Fourth, unisex facilities are common in bars and cafés.  That is, the toilets for men and women (with doors, bien sûr) may be side by side with one sink to be shared by both and, occasionally, it may be necessary to walk by the urinals to get to the toilets.  (Sometimes, the telephone is right there, too!)

Fifth, “squat” toilets (a.k.a. “Turkish toilets”) are commonly found in public facilities, bars, and cafés.  These are essentially a large porcelain basin with a hole near the center and two shoe-shaped platforms on either side for your feet.  Carefully place each foot in its designated position, squat, and go.  Sometimes, there's something to hang on to, in order to maintain your balance.  When you flush, make sure that you are as far away as possible because these toilets are notorious for a wide swath of spray.  Although intimidating at first, they are not as difficult as they appear and are, arguably, more sanitary.

Sixth, regarding the subject of flushing, the French have a large repertoire of mechanisms to initiate the flushing process--and these are found in a variety of places.  Look on the top of the tank for something to push or to pull; above the toilet for a chain to yank; behind the toilet for a very large circular- or rectangular-shaped button to press; toward the base of the toilet for a peddle to press; on the floor for a large button to step on; or, alas, alongside the tank of the toilet, for a familiar lever to push or pull.  The buttons or bars may be divided into two parts, with the smaller one devoted to flushing pee and the larger part to be used for business that requires more water.

Seventh, using the toilet may cost a little money.  In nicer restaurants, especially in cities larger than Lourmarin, there may be an attendant outside the restroom door who may even hand you a towel to dry your hands and would expect a tip of 25-50 cents.  In other settings, there is an obligatory fee to use the toilet, collected either by the attendant or by inserting coins in the door.  In fast food establishments, apparently there is a code found on your receipt that can be used to open the door to the toilet (although we have never seen this).

Eighth, another option is the rather space-age looking pod-style toilets, in larger cities and train stations.  It has been our experience that these are often out-of-order, as indicated by “hors service.”  If it is working and free, as indicated by “libre” or a green color near the door handle, insert the required amount of change--around 50 cents--and the door will automatically open.  At the end of your allotted time--about 15 minutes--the door will automatically open and then close again to spray the inside with disinfectant.  Several of our clients have remarked on the one in the Aix-en-Provence TGV station.  You might want to try it if it isn't “occupé” or “hors service.”

Finally, the aforementioned information notwithstanding, France is also home to some of the most attractive bathrooms with some of the most modern conveniences we have ever found.

Gyms:  There is a brand-new gym, YXO Club et Forme, in Pertuis (46 Saint-Martin) with state-of-the-art equipment, classes, and squash courts.  It seems a bit far from Lourmarin to use the gym regularly, but we have used the squash courts on many occasions.  (tel: 04 90 08 84 36)

Movie Theaters:  There are quite a few near-by movie theaters that offer English-language films as well as other “foreign” and (bien sur) French films.  For a complete weekly listing of these films, go to provence.angloinfo.com/information/movies.asp.

Cucuron, Pertuis, and Aix would be the closest locations, with Aix offering the greatest selection.  For more information, see their website at www.lescinemasaixois.com/.  (See Aix map in “the binder” in La Bonbonnière or L'Oustaloun.)

The abbreviation, “VO” stands for “version originale” and means, not surprisingly, that the film will be presented in its original language.  The French word for subtitles is “sous-titres.”

English Book Stores:  The best bookstore for a terrific selection of English-language books is the “Book in Bar” in Aix-en-Provence.  Located at 1 bis rue Joseph Cabassol, it is just a few blocks off the Cours Mirabeau (and not too far from the aforementioned movie theaters).  If you had a hankering to hear a little English and find a good book in the same language, you could easily spend an afternoon combing through the tightly packed shelves.  Top it off with a cup of tea from their tea salon.  (tel: 04 42 26 60 07)

Another bookstore that specializes in English- and other foreign-language books is “Librairie Anglaise et Italienne Maurel” in Marseille.  It is located on 95 rue Lodi 9 (see map in “the binder”).  For more information, see www.librairie-internationale-maurel.com/index-gb.htm.  (tel: 04 91 42 63 44)

English-language books (although sometimes just literally three different titles) may be found in large book stores in neighboring cities (including a couple of other bookstores in Aix and Marseille).  In Lourmarin at Le Tabac, you will find English magazines, some tour guides in English and the very occasional novel in English.

Getting News:  The International Tribune and the European edition of The Wall Street Journal, of course, Le Monde, Figaro, Le Provence all the major French newspapers are available at Le Tabac.

Renting a Car:  Make arrangements to rent your car from the states.  We recommend AutoEurope, a state-side agency from whom we have rented our cars for over 20 years.  Select a compact- or medium-sized car; avoid renting SUVs and vans because they are simply too large to navigate many of the village streets.  The roads in Lourmarin, as in most villages, are very narrow and, in some places, not even as wide as the sidewalks in a large city.

There is no Car Rental Agency in Lourmarin.

For more information, see "Rent a Car and Drive."

Transportation to and from Neighboring Villages and Cities:  To fully reap the benefits of one's stay in Lourmarin, a car is necessary, although two of our regular guests do not choose to rent cars.  (For more information on driving in France, see "Rent a Car and Drive.")

There is bus service to Aix-en-Provence and Marseille (via Pertuis) and to Avignon at least five days a week (information may be obtained from the Office of Tourism).  Taxis, although expensive, may be arranged.  The typical cost of a taxi to Pertuis, where there are more daily bus options, is 25-30 Euros.  A taxi to the Aix-en-Provence TGV station is around 80 Euros and to the Marseille Airport, it is at least 100 Euros.  Two of the taxi services we have used are Taxi Durance-Luberon (tel: 04 90 09 75 75) and Arniaud (tel: 04 90 09 58 58).  Bicycles may be rented in Bonnieux at Mountain Bike Luberon (tel: 04 90 75 89 96); they will deliver them to Lourmarin, free of charge.

Transportation to Lourmarin:  Please see "Getting There" for information about the different modes of transportation available.  When you rent from us, you will be sent very specific information from Marseille airport and the Aix TGV station.

Appropriate Dress:  It is obligatory to jettison the white sneakers if you want to blend in and, well, okay. . . apologies to fully half of our male friends. . . .recommended to leave the baseball cap home, too.  There are not a lot of shorts and not too many tee-shirts, but we certainly wear them during the day and don't feel like we stick out.  Jeans are perfectly acceptable.

“Nice casual” is always safe, but this is a casual area where people are practical, especially during the day.  It is a village filled with people who have different backgrounds and different agendas for the day: on the same afternoon, you may see groups of hikers walking through town, followed by a wedding party with guests who are dressed to the nines and in between you may spot the mayor in his casual business attire and a group of masons covered in cement from head to toe.

There are more opportunities to “dress-up” in the evening, but it is absolutely not required, except in the more high-end restaurants where it is not obligatory, but recommended (to blend in).

In the warm months, both men and women wear a lot of loose-fitting, white and light-colored linen and cotton--very practical.  Women don large hats for the same reason--it is very sunny and can be quite hot.

In the cooler months, people still tend to wear lighter colors than the dark ones their northern neighbors are known for, but always gravitating to black, Susan brings a lot of dark colors (which, she argues, are better for traveling).

French women attend to details--jewelry, scarves, and shoes--which are a great way to dress up the casual clothes.  But, truthfully, with regard to shoes, we always sacrifice form over function--there is a lot of ground to cover in Provence!

Should you find yourself missing a particular item, there are several lovely boutiques nearby as well as a very attractive selection of sweaters, blouses, skirts, scarves and the like at the Friday market.  When in need of something more practical such as a pair of socks, go to the Hyper U or HyperChampion in Pertuis or a nearby market.

No Luggage Arrives:  This scenario is never a desirable one for a traveler, but it is not the end of the world (and it is unlikely that your luggage is at the end of the world either).  When this has happened in our family, the bag is almost always delivered to us in Lourmarin--via taxi, at the airline's expense--the next day.

To reduce the chances of late luggage arrival--and a sprint to the connecting gate--consider an itinerary with a longer period between connecting flights.  If you are flying from the States to Provence via Paris, be aware that the airlines apparently consider 45 minutes to be an acceptable length of time between flights in Charles de Gaulle; this is a very small window of opportunity for your bags--and you, for that matter--to make it to the connecting flight.  It is a long hike--encumbered by customs, crowds, and detours--from the international gates to those servicing domestic flights, even on the same airline.  We have missed our connecting flight in CDG on many occasions, including the last three times we passed through that airport.  We recommend that a minimum of 1 ½ hours between flights to ensure that you and your bags make the connection.

If you miss your flight on the way home to the States, don't accept a connection through Kennedy Airport in New York unless you absolutely must.  There will be further delays there--an implicit understanding acknowledged voluntarily by the ticket agent the last time we missed our CDG connection on March 21, 2007.  (He routed us through Montreal.)

Make sure that your luggage has been properly identified with name tags attached to the outside of your bags as well as placed inside.  If you have one of those ubiquitous black canvas rollers, consider tying a bright-colored ribbon around the handle to imbue a little individuality in yours should it go astray.

It is always a good idea to pack some necessities in your carry-on bag so that you are not caught completely unprepared if your luggage does not arrive, although you can always pick up a few replacements when you arrive in Lourmarin.  Make sure to tuck important paperwork into your carry-on, including the directions to La Bonbonnière and the telephone numbers for the caretakers.  For complete guidelines are carry-on regulations, go to www.tsa.gov/311/311-carry-ons.shtm and consult with your airline.

If you are left standing--empty-handed--at the baggage carousel, proceed to the baggage claim office to file a report with the airline personnel.  It is very likely that they are already aware that your bag has not arrived and may even be able to tell you when it will arrive.  Sometimes, you may even see your name on a screen as you enter the baggage claim area.  If your missing bag is news to the airline, you will need to be able to describe the bag.  You will also need to be able to tell the airline where to deliver the bag and to provide contact telephone numbers (in which case, you may use that of our property caretakers)--which is one reason why you need to have the directions to La Bonbonnière and the telephone numbers for the caretakers.  Make sure to get a telephone number from the airline so that you can check on the status of your luggage.  Also, don't forget to alert our caretakers that they will receive a telephone call regarding your luggage.

Of course, if you are one of those amazing travelers who can squeeze everything into your carry-on bags, you can avoid this scenario entirely!

Crime:  I am sure that we are not the first to break the news that Provence is not immune to crime.  France, in general--and Provence, in particular--has a very low rate of violent crime, but the same cannot be said for larceny.

In the large cities (Marseille, being a prime example), beware of pickpockets and the quick theft of your purse, suitcase, or shopping bag when your attention has been purposefully diverted, however momentarially.  Same advice as in any other country:  keep your valuables to a minimum when traveling and carry them in a pouch around your neck or in a money belt; keep the car doors locked; and pay attention when getting in and out of your vehicle, when in large crowds, when approached for directions, etc.

In the smaller villages, such as Lourmarin, the aforementioned concerns are not typically necessary, but you do need to be mindful that thieves do seek out small idyllic towns to break into rental cars and non-local cars (which can be identified by the last two digits on the license plate).  Remove all valuables from your car, a good rule wherever you are in the world.  Another good piece of advice is to keep your maps and tourist guides out of view and stick a French newspaper on the seat--not because thieves refrain from targeting French speakers, but because they will break into the car that is most likely to offer rewards, which, unfortunately for all of us, is a tourist's car!

Should you find that your vehicle has fallen victim to a crime, the following general guidelines may be helpful:  file a report (in person) with the Gendarmerie in Cadenet on Route Pertuis (tel: 04 90 68 00 17), notify the rental car company, and, if insurance was provided through another source such as your credit card company, notify that company.  Make sure to establish from your insurer--whether that is the rental car company, your credit card, or another agency--what information/copies of documents will be needed to file a claim.  (If your insurance is provided through your credit card or through any other domestic agency, you might inquire--before you leave-- as to what materials would be needed if such an unfortunate event were to occur.)

Emergency Telephone Numbers:  Emergency numbers, as well as those for local doctors, hospitals, the care takers and the owners of La Bonbonnière and L'Oustaloun will be sent to all clients in advance of their departure.  The same information may be found in “the binder” in La Bonbonnière and L'Oustaloun.