Passion for Provence

Falling for France wasn’t part of the Mediterranean honeymoon agenda. Pale rosé, languid lunches on a sun-dappled terrasse, and a dash of reckless abandon may have been to blame.

Americans Gayle Smith Padgett and her husband, Ralph, leap into a long-distance love affair with La Belle France. Two decades and many beguiling assignations later, they finally launch a quest for a nest in Provence.

Despite a lack of French skills and connections, the couple plunges full-time into French life. Through a series of faux pas and lucky encounters, they unlock intriguing mysteries, including France’s food-first policy and its dependence on Gallic shrugs.

With self-deprecating humor and quirky candor, the author reveals insightful secrets in Passion for Provence: 22 Keys to La Belle Vie. This delightful memoir will inspire you to pack your bags for Provence—for a sweet sojourn or, just maybe, a longer stay.

Author Biography

Gayle Smith Padgett, a UCLA graduate, has two master’s degrees, neither in French. After studying in Mexico and South America, she worked as a language specialist in California and Virginia, and later, as a management analyst and US government liaison in Heidelberg, Germany. She and her husband, Ralph, loved exploring Europe but fell in love with France. In 2011, they moved to Provence, where they continue to crack French cultural codes.