Twenty years ago, Géraldine came to Provence to buy a holiday home. She never left. It is a story she now helps other people write, as Property Sales Manager with Provence Property Sales, guiding international buyers from a first summer in the Alpilles towards a home of their own. Originally from Lyon, she spent much of her life abroad before discovering Provence almost by chance, falling for the region and quietly deciding to stay for good.
Getting to know Géraldine
After more than ten years in luxury real estate with leading agencies across the Alpilles, joining Provence Holidays felt to Géraldine like a natural next step. What excited her most was the chance to help develop Provence Property Sales, combining her local expertise and network with the company’s established international clientele. For her, it is the ideal way to bring together a passion for real estate, years in the luxury property market and a genuine love of Provence. “I love the idea of being part of that journey,” she says, “helping clients turn their holiday memories into a more permanent connection with this beautiful region.”
Day to day, it is the people and the variety she enjoys most. She loves meeting property owners, discovering exceptional homes and helping clients find somewhere that truly feels right for them. “Every property has its own personality and every client has a different story,” she says, and it is the personal relationships that develop along the way that she values. Real estate, as she sees it, is about far more than square metres and beautiful architecture. “It is about trust, listening and understanding how people want to live.” That the job also means spending her days in some of the most beautiful properties in the Alpilles and the Luberon is, she admits, a wonderful bonus.
Why the South of France
Ask Géraldine what she loves most about living here and the answer is immediate: the quality of life. After so many years abroad, she has come to appreciate just how special Provence really is. She loves the authenticity of the villages, the incredible light, the landscapes, the local markets and the simple pleasure of meeting friends for a coffee or a glass of wine on a sunny terrace. There is, she says, a wonderful balance here between a relaxed way of life and a vibrant social scene.
Her favourite seasons are autumn and spring in the Alpilles, when the colours are beautiful, the villages are quieter and you get to experience a more intimate, authentic side of the region. Even after twenty years, she still finds new places and still catches herself thinking how fortunate she is to live here.
“Provence is always a good idea… and sometimes, it becomes your best decision!”
Her favourite villa | Mas du Paradis
Saint-Rémy-de-Provence, The Alpilles | 10 people | 5 bedrooms | 5 bathrooms
Mas du Paradis is exactly the kind of property Géraldine loves: elegant, beautifully renovated and full of character. What makes it so special, she says, is the perfect balance between Provençal charm and contemporary luxury. The interiors are beautifully designed, but it is the outdoor lifestyle that really appeals to her. Fully restored in 2022, the mas comes with a magnificent heated swimming pool, a private tennis court, beautiful gardens and wonderful outdoor entertaining areas, with air conditioning throughout and hotel services on hand.
“It is the kind of house where you can imagine spending long summer afternoons by the pool,” she says, “enjoying leisurely lunches with friends and making wonderful memories with family.” Being so close to the centre of Saint-Rémy-de-Provence only makes it more appealing.
Perfect for groups and families | Villa Panorama
Eygalières, The Alpilles | 12 people | 6 bedrooms | 6 bathrooms
Villa Panorama is a real favourite of Géraldine’s, particularly for its spectacular setting and breathtaking views over the Alpilles and the village of Eygalières. She loves the contemporary architecture, the sense of space and the way the property opens onto the surrounding landscape. With six en suite bedrooms, generous living areas, a landscaped garden and a fourteen metre pool with its own pool house, it is ideal for families or groups of friends who want to enjoy time together without compromising on privacy.
What makes it particularly special, she says, is that you can enjoy complete tranquillity while being just a short walk from the heart of Eygalières, one of her favourite villages in Provence. For Géraldine, that combination of stunning views, beautiful design and village life is hard to beat.
Where she loves to eat | Chez Paulette
Géraldine’s absolute favourite is Chez Paulette in Eygalières. She loves everything about it: the atmosphere, the setting and the relaxed, welcoming spirit. It is one of those places where you immediately feel at home, whether you are meeting friends for lunch or settling in for a leisurely dinner. What she particularly loves is that it captures the authentic village atmosphere that makes Provence so special: unpretentious, full of character and exactly the kind of place she enjoys sharing with visitors. For Géraldine, Chez Paulette represents the Provence she loves, good food, good company and the pleasure of taking your time.
An experience not to miss | The Provençal markets
Géraldine would always recommend a Friday morning at the market in Eygalières, or a Wednesday morning at the market in Saint-Rémy-de-Provence. There is no better way, she says, to experience authentic Provençal life than wandering through the stalls, discovering local produce, choosing fresh flowers, tasting regional specialities and stopping for a coffee on a sunny terrace. She would also encourage visitors to seek out the local olive oil estates and vineyards, where meeting the producers and understanding their passion for the land is a wonderful way to connect with the region.
A place she keeps coming back to | Lac de Peirou
One of Géraldine’s favourite little escapes is Lac de Peirou, tucked away in the heart of the Alpilles just outside Saint-Rémy-de-Provence. It is a beautiful, peaceful spot, surrounded by limestone cliffs and Mediterranean vegetation, that feels wonderfully removed from everyday life. She loves to walk there, enjoying the tranquillity and taking in the natural beauty of the landscape. It is one of those places, she says, that reminds her that even after twenty years in Provence, the region can still take her breath away.
From a holiday home bought on something close to a whim to a career spent helping others do the same, Géraldine has built her life around a simple conviction: that Provence is worth staying for. Whether she is sharing an elegant mas in Saint-Rémy, a panoramic villa above Eygalières, a long lunch at Chez Paulette or a quiet morning at Lac de Peirou, hers is a region to be savoured slowly, and, perhaps, to come home to for good.
À bientôt,
