Testimonials

What people are saying about Mon Tournesol

Carman,
I'm one of the DC gang that occupied your villa over the last two weeks. What a wonderful place and a wonderful time. The location and the weather where absolutely perfect and I'm sure you arranged both.

You have a very beautiful place and thank you for letting us be part of it.

Sincerely,
Paul and Louise , Vancouver

Bonjour Gail and Carman,

It was a chance encounter in Bologna that took us to your amazing Villa in Lauris. It was everything you want from your beautiful home in Lauris, a kitchen with everything including sharp knives, great outdoor space, fantastic pool, fabulous outdoor eating area, a little nook by the door to have drink and nibbles as the sun goes down. Although the ducks didn’t line with the others coming, Sharon and I decided to take the chance and stay anyway, have a car and explore. That is exactly what we did. Joséphine is simply gorgeous, friendly, so helpful. Gave us great tips as to what the wineries nearby offer. Absolutely loved La Costa and the unbelievable sculptures that you could walk through their amazing property, then have lunch on the terrace. It was stunning and food delicious.We walked every morning into town for our morning coffee and pastry. Varied Boulangerie and coffee location each day. Then came back, jumped into the car and off to a market or just a town to visit. Both L’Isle-sur-la-Sorgue and St Remy markets were fabulous and exactly as you described them.Both Sharon and l had been to Lourmarin on market day, so we visited it on a non market day. Didn’t disappoint, such a beautiful village.Each day came back with some delightful treats, and local food for both late lunch and dinner. That way could eat and drink in paradise. Went in the pool everyday, very lucky with the weather. Joséphine helped us with our visit to Gendarmerie over some little incident with car, literally 20mins after picking it up from Europe car in Aix-En-Provence. Not my fault, but never the less needed a Police report. We had no French, Joséphine was fabulous, came with us to Cadenet. All for the making a great tale to add to our amazing stay. You can tell that you both LOVE Mon Tournesol as it feels so perfect from the time you drive up the driveway till the last time you close the gates. I certainly will be chatting and sharing the Villa with my clients in Australia. We may have been the first Australians to stay, but I am sure we will not be the last. As both Sharon and i will be highly recommending your beautiful home in LaurisIf the opportunity presents itself again, definitely would return.How lucky we were to meet you both in Bologna.

With warm Regards,
Janet and Sharon - Australia

Hi Carman,
we just got back yesterday and wanted to let you know how much we truly enjoyed our visit to France and in particular our week at

Mon Tournesol. The place itself was very nice and comfortable for us and the pool and grounds are beautifully maintained. House manager was very helpful and checked in periodically to see how we were doing - very caring and classy fellow.

We practically lived off your tips sheet - visited the markets in Isle-sur-la-Sorgue on Sunday, Aix on Tuesday, St. Remy/les Baux on Wednesday, also did the hike and horseback-riding in Lauris and took a
drive to the Riviera (and were it not for your sheet with directions from Nice to Mon Tournesol being handy, we might still be trying to find our way back as the only prescription glasses that any of us had
were my sunglasses which didn't work so well for reading a map in the dark!).

Daily morning walks into town for a coffee with newspaper and goodies from the boulangerie and late afternoon drinks around the pool were special.

La Petite Maison was the dining highlight for us - ate outside on Friday night with the sound of the band and carnival going on in the square. Only disappointment was that we never did make it for "the best ice cream you have ever tasted" - we had to leave something for the next time!

I'm happy for you that you have such a place to retreat to - wishing you and your wife lots more good times in good health for many years to come.

Thanks again. It was a trip we will not forget soon.
Ron, Ottawa

Hi Carman!
Meant to e-mail you last week but ....well you will find out that 'retirement' does not mean you have lots of time on your hands!

The house was lovely and by the time we got there the weather had cleared up and it was perfect the whole time we were there. I really can't think of any suggestions to make things better. The directions were perfect and we found the place with no difficulty. Michel was a delight and Jack popped around as well when we were there. We spent most of our time outside and thoroughly enjoyed the patio and lounges. I enjoyed not being on a bike for a change....I suspect the others did too as no one suggested we do any more riding and contented ourselves with a morning walk/jog around the neighbourhood for exercise. Not to say the cycling part of our trip was not great...it was but six days in a row is enough for me.

We noted the art work by Don Penz...we still have the tree we bought from him so long ago and enjoy it as much as ever...we also enjoyed the works of Isirdi and visited his gallery in Lourmarin.

Thanks for renting the villa to us. It was a perfect second half to a super trip.
Francie, Edmonton

Hi Carman,
We have just returned from your beautiful home in Provence. We had a wonderful holiday and Michel looked after us well. I will pass on details of your villa to our friends for future holidays, as I am sure they will enjoy it as much as us. I will keep in touch for future holidays as we will definately return.

Many thanks
Anne-Marie, Paris

We have returned from our little piece of heaven. Wow! What a great place to be. The villa was wonderful and we all loved your decorating, Gail. It was so warm and inviting. Provence was everything I had dreamed of and more. We all loved every moment we were there. People were very friendly and most helpful. Your guide of things to do was great, Carman. Ed and I went right away on the first Sunday morning to Isle sur La Sorgue. It was totally amazing and of course, I left a few euros there. We ensured that we all returned the next Sunday so everyone could share the experience. We really enjoyed the market at St. Remy de Provence. What a great place to see the local people and to people watch. I don't think we missed much of the country or the villages in the area.

Thanks, also for cutting the lavender and leaving us an ample supply to fill our homes for months to come.

Our kids tell us that this seems to be the best holiday that we have had and we certainly agree.
Once again, thanks so much for allowing us to share your villa----memories for ever.

Sincerely.
Jo-Ann and Ed, Toronto

Thanks Carman,

The place was great. Perfect for the kids. I'd be glad to refer people to Mon Tournesol.

Can't think of a thing to change. You're very lucky to have such a great hideaway.

Regards,
Joel, Ottawa

Dear Carman

We just returned from our trip last night after 21 great days in Kent, Normandy, Provence and Paris. We wanted to let you and Gail know how much we and our friends enjoyed staying at your villa. It is a
beautiful property in a fantastic setting and location! Our particular thanks to your staff.

Our friends are returning to Boca intending to refer your place to their circle - so you may get contacts from down there!

Hope your vacation went as well as ours did!

Regards
Dennis and Susan, Ottawa

Dear Carman,
Greetings from Bosnia! We just moved here and just got our internet connections.

But our minds are still in Provence. We just wanted to let you know how much we enjoyed our stay in your house. The week we spent in your house was the finale of our vacation and it really was a fantastic one. As we entered your driveway for the first time, we thought we were entering an Architectural Digest magazine. The pool and the garden were so welcoming we could have slept outside. Your house was very well furnished, nothing was missing. even the basics for us, such as coffee, milk, salt.. and Herbes de Provence, a local map and a list of must see places. We followed your suggestions and were very pleased that we had clear ideas on where we must go.

All in all, a dream of a vacation, many thanks.

Best regards,
Rula , Bosnia

Gail and Carman

We have returned - we had a fabulous time. The cherry trees are in full force so we ate as many as we could! The first morning after Barb and Fred arrived, Fred was on a ladder picking them!

The house is lovely, as always. You advised us to drive the coast route from Nice to Freujus - which was spectacular. We had great meals. Our first dinner was at the Michelin * just outside of Lourmarin - starts with a "P" - the name will come to me - very very nice.

And we took your suggestion to go to Chateau-Neuf du Pape on the Sunday and pick up wine. The Chateau Neuf white (about 17 Euros) is really good. What a great white. And of course the reds and local rose wine! Our last day we spent at Cassis - great lunch at Chez Gilbert.

We are planning our next trip!!

Cheers,
Beth and Tom, Ottawa

Hello Carman,
Just a note to let you know how much we enjoyed staying at your house in Provence. We loved the area and explored several of the towns and areas recommended. We certainly hope to be able to book it again and stay longer. As you know best, there is so much to do and see. We particularly enjoyed the markets as we went to St. Remy and also to Lourmarin. We also journed to the Chateaneuf du Pape region and sampled some decent wines. We will certainly help spread the news concerning the merits of renting Mon Tournesol.

Thanks again and say hello to Michel for us.
Alan, Montreal