Experience Provence with Camille, our Portfolio Manager for the Luberon and Alpilles and one of the newest faces at Provence Holidays.
With Belgian roots, an American birthplace and childhood years spent between London and Belgium, Camille brings a genuinely international outlook to the team. She has called Provence home for nearly 18 years, and after an earlier career in luxury holiday rentals, joining Provence Holidays felt like a natural fit: a chance to meet new people every day, discover beautiful properties and get to know a region she already loves even better.
Getting to know Camille
Camille joined Provence Holidays after several years working in luxury holiday rentals, a world she had loved the first time around. "I enjoyed meeting new people every day, visiting beautiful properties, and getting to know the region even better," she says. Having lived in Provence for nearly 18 years, the move felt like a natural one and a chance to work in an environment she genuinely enjoys. What she values most is the variety. No two days are the same, and the role lets her move between guests arriving to discover Provence and owners sharing the stories behind their properties. "I love meeting people from different backgrounds," she says, whether that means helping guests make the most of their stay or learning about the unique homes new owners have to offer. The job also keeps her discovering new corners of the region, and for Camille that is exactly the appeal: there is always something new to learn or experience.
Why the South of France
Having previously lived in Belgium and England, what Camille loves most about mainland Provence is the light. "The quality of the light here is extraordinary and gives the region a unique atmosphere," she says. Then there are the landscapes: even the everyday drive between home and work is a pleasure when the scenery is this beautiful. She loves the charm of the small villages and the absence of big-town traffic, and there is a particular privilege, she feels, in living somewhere so many people travel to for their holidays. Professionally, the reward is sharing it. "It's very rewarding to share with visitors what we are fortunate enough to experience all year round," she says, helping guests appreciate the beauty, culture and lifestyle that make Provence so special.
Provence at a slower pace
Ask Camille to describe Provence to someone who has never been, and she returns to a single idea: a slower pace of life and the pleasure of simple things. "It's wandering through local markets in small villages, walking in nature, listening to the sound of the cicadas in the summer, and admiring the lavender fields when they're in bloom." Not everything is there all year round, she notes, but together these things add up to a way of life. What makes the region special, for her, is that it encourages you to slow down, appreciate your surroundings and disconnect from the stresses of everyday life. It is a place to truly relax and reconnect with what matters most.
"Be a little selfish: make your holiday exactly what you want it to be. Whether it's family time, great food, cycling, nature, culture, or simply discovering somewhere new, Provence has something for everyone. The beauty of this region is that you can return year after year and always find a new way to experience it." - Camille
Choosing the right villa
Having only recently joined Provence Holidays, Camille is candid that naming a single favourite villa is difficult, not least because the portfolio is so large and so varied. What she has quickly learned is that choosing the right villa is very personal. "Every family has different preferences, whether they're looking for a traditional Provençal farmhouse, a contemporary property, a large garden, a pool, or proximity to a village." Her advice is simple: follow your instincts, think about what matters most to you and your family, and you are very likely to find a home that is the perfect fit. What she can promise is the care that goes into the selection, a portfolio chosen to offer something exceptional for a wide range of tastes and needs.
Where she loves to eat
With so many excellent restaurants across Provence, from dramatic settings with sweeping views to more refined dining, Camille's heart belongs to the small local places you find in the villages. "They often offer an affordable lunch menu or a menu du jour that changes regularly according to the season and available local produce," she says, the kind of table where you can enjoy authentic regional specialities and the true character of Provence. What makes them special, for her, is that you are not just having a meal: you are immersed in local life, surrounded by residents, in an atmosphere that reflects the region's traditions and way of living.
A view she keeps coming back to
If she had to choose a viewpoint she returns to again and again, Camille names two. One is above the aqueduct at Fontaine-de-Vaucluse, where a beautiful panorama of the surrounding countryside comes with a wonderful sunset. The other is the summit of Mont Ventoux. "On a clear day, the views are simply spectacular," she says: the Alps in the distance, the rolling vineyards, the lavender fields and, on the very best days, even as far as the Mediterranean Sea.
An experience not to miss
There is so much to see and do that Camille struggles to choose just one experience, but the local markets come first: a wonderful way to discover regional products, meet local producers and feel the atmosphere of Provençal village life. A walk in the countryside is a must too, with the landscapes among the region's greatest treasures. Living in L'Isle-sur-la-Sorgue, she also recommends leaning into local traditions, whether that is watching a traditional Nego Chin race, exploring the surrounding villages, going horseback riding, or renting a car and discovering the area at your own pace. More than anything, her advice is to take the time to enjoy it all. "Provence is not just about visiting specific places, it's about embracing the lifestyle, and making the most of every moment."
Belgian by heritage, international by upbringing and Provençale by choice, Camille brings nearly two decades of local life and a genuine love of the region to the Luberon and Alpilles. From slow village markets and unhurried lunches to the light on Mont Ventoux at the end of the day, her Provence is one to be savoured, returned to, and made entirely your own.
À bientôt,
