I do not know anybody who does not love a Tarte Tatin . There is nothing better specially on a cool day ! Makes the house smell so wonderful .
For 100% success what you’ll really need is an 8″ cast iron pan . If you do not have any , you will still need a pan that can go from the stove top to the oven .
4-6 medium size Apples ~ 100 grs ( just a little less than a stick of butter ) ~ 100gr (1/2 cup ) of granulated sugar ~ 1 vanilla bean , 2 sticks of cinnamon ~ 1 pie crust ( i use Trader Joes frozen ones)
Set the oven at 375F
Spread the butter with your hands in an even layer at the bottom of the pan . Sprinkle with the sugar . Scrape the beans of vanilla evenly and put on the 2 cinnamon sticks . Peel , core and cut the apples in quarters . I use Fuji apples , they give out enough juice but not too much , get soft but do not compote when cooking , These are the most important criteria for choosing them . You do not want an apple that stay very crunchy either . 
Arrange the apples round side down over the butter . Make sure they are tight .
Start the cooking on the stove ( high -medium high ) Do not touch the apples , let the butter /sugar melt and bubble . You want to stay close to make sure you do not burn your caramel as it goes fast toward the end ( you can lower the setting a bit to make sure you do not over cook the caramel since it will still cook a bit after you take it off the flame ) . I rotate the pan to make sure the coloring is even , you want to avoid one side to caramelize faster than the other . This process should take about 12-15mns . When the caramel has the perfect color not too light or dark ( taste bitter ) take off the stove and let rest a few minutes before to cover with the crust .
Once you put the crust over the hot apples , you have to act fast . Using a spatula , tuck the sides of the crust into the pan and poke some holes so the steam can come out .
Bake for 18-20 mns . When the crust is golden brown , it is ready !
Carefully turn over into a plate when still hot . I like to use the juices left at the bottom of the pan . Pour some Calvados , Grand Marnier or Rhum in the pan , warm up and flambe. (Do not put the hood on or the flames will be sucked up) Pour immediately over the tart . Serve warm with creme fraiche , vanilla ice cream or whipped cream .
New linen runners from Garnier Thiebaut $72.80
Butter a shallow mold and pour the batter over pitted cherries , the more the better ! Some people say that un-pitted cherries taste better but it is scary to risk braking a tooth over dessert so I pit mine .
Sprinkle a few toasted sliced almond on top and bake at 350F for 30 to 40 mns or until golden brown and a knife blade comes out clean when picked at the center .
The flea market starts at dawn along the Sorgue river…
Some real traditional antiques from Provence are being rare these days …the owner of that booth told us closing down at the end of the season …
People search for industrial or mid century not XVIII century old furniture as much 
Even found a Jardin public / “skate park” ??
Hard to believe that you just pass the exit sign and this is it … beautiful rolling hills !
The good side of driving an old beetle is that we have less chances to go over the speed limit of 49mph on highways …or this is what you could end up driving !
One last turn and here it is ! 
White butterflies were all over the lavender in the early morning hours 
We grew up here but this scenery never cease to amaze us
My favorite : Ami 6 …the perfect car for the area 
Pascal’s father or his brother sold that one at the time !
Warm melon filled with a bouillabaisse soup of maine lobster and melon balls …light and delicious !
They have AC …in case you really missed it …and I froze in my summer strappy dress !
People cooling off at the fountain 
Pascal and Michel 
![DSC_4867 [Desktop Resolution].JPG](https://maisonenprovencesandiego.wordpress.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/06/ecb53-3311399280.jpg)
Enough with food now ….but you will need a good knife : A Classic reinvented ; the new hip “Black Edition” Opinel in Oak with a treated blade and lock to make it even more resistant . Made in France since 1890 
Thinking about DAD ? We got you covered !
Having a BBQ party ? Our melamine dishes not only look real but feel like ceramic without being so heavy . Perfect for outdoor , pool , boat but will do just as well inside if you want to spare your nice china ! Choose from the many designs available .
New towels from our Friend Valentine Viannay are just perfect to pair with real deal Escargots ready to put under the broiler with lots of butter , garlic and parsley ! Our kind of fast food ! 
We also have corn and fish …
Cotton / linen mix for a great summer wrap !
Anybody summer dream … in Provence !
We decided that we needed to compare both regions , so we would drive from Provence along the Pyrenees on the French side all the way to the Atlantic coast , then cross into Spain and come back on the Spanish side . One week ,1400miles , no freeways , a dozen ” Tour de France ” Mountain passes per day , bucolic picnic sites , a whole lot of scenic roads and tones of beautiful photos that I have to share to hopefully inspire you . Summer is just around the corner and it is time to plan that next trip to Europe !
It is late June and the “genets” yellow flowers smell sweet all over Provence .
We stop near Ganges .It is warm and the perfect day to picnic by the river …first day of our meat, dairy and gluten diet ! For some reason we can eat it all in France without any issues so we enjoy it breakfast, lunch and dinner !
Le Canal du Midi . We are getting closer to our first stop in Mirepoix. Le Relais de Mirepoix was a 2 stars hotel but felt like 3 ! Wonderful stay there .
Mirepoix is a town in between Carcassonne and Foix. It is a beautiful medieval town and should not be missed if you are in this area.The highlight of this ancient bastide town is the central square – the Place des Couverts – which is surrounded by medieval houses and arcades (the covered walkways in front of the shops).
We keep going up and down , through some legendary Tour de France passes : Col Portet d’Aspet , Col de Peyresourde , Col d’Aspin, Col du Tourmalet … 300kms , 2 dozen passes ( I barely exagerrate ) and 12 hours later we reach the tiny village of Viscos our base to explore the “Parc National des Pyrenees ”
The small thermal town of Cauteret
It is actually not such an easy hike ….not very hard but the terrain is very rough and rocky . Thanks to the French who always think about these things…there is a cafe right there where you can have a refreshing lemonade and ice cream as your reward !
Cows and sheeps are free to roam. The valleys are deep and so green , we imagine Ireland or even New Zealand . It is the vallee d’Ossau , then Irrati …our favorite cheeses …
We are looking for traditional crafts , fabrics we could bring back for the shop …and stop in Espelette to check out the different products made with this prized pepper .
Casa Juan Pedro is owned by 2 brothers and serve “a la plancha” grilled prawns and sardines . But our favorite thing here is the dessert : La Mamia local sheep milk “yogurt”…it is set like a custard but light like milk with a sweet taste like whipped cream …there is nothing like it . It’s one of those thing that you can only eat there because it’s fresh for just 2 to 3 days so we order 2 each !
The old monastery 
It is quiet , the view is typical of a Spanish village ( lots of social apartment buildings ) . We take a walk in town but cannot seem to find a restaurant other than pizzerias and return to our “chateau” for dinner…witch despite the very dated look of the place was really delicious !
Carcassonne …a Unesco World heritage: It is an outstanding example of a medieval fortified town, with its massive defences encircling the castle and the surrounding buildings, its streets and its fine Gothic cathedral. Despite the mob of tourists witch is to be expected , it is totally worth going in the old city and wonder all the way to our best kept secret : “Le Jardin de la Tour” is tucked back and only locals know about it . We’ve had wonderful dinners here and today’s lunch in the Garden by the tower is no exception !
Cassoulet with duck confit is a must …but I cannot resist today’s special of razor clams….these are hard to find and just delicious !
We are giving in and jump on the freeway for the rest of the trip back home in Provence . But there is still one last thing we want to do : Nimes is on the map ! They host concerts in the roman arenas all summer and this is a fabulous way to enjoy this amazing historic site . Every year has different venues …2019 will see Elton John ! 
Maison En Provence San Diego 