While traveling through the French countryside with my husband and 8-month old I couldn't help but feel awestruck by the French culture. It seems as if every building, windowsill, and cafe holds such rich history and would make for the perfect photograph. It was in a film photographers paradise! But what I really was intrigued by was the everyday life of the French people.

It was the little things that proved the French truly know how to relax and enjoy themselves. It was a common sight to see the locals walking through the villages toting their straw market bags in hand with a fresh baguette popping out of the top. From the bakery they would then go to the local butcher shop and from there stopping by the local farmers stand for their produce. It was refreshing to see how carefully they chose what they selected to consume without any sense of urgency.

In fact I believe they savored the process. Almost as if it were therapy! Not to mention that with fresh bread, an assortment of cheeses, local wine and only the finest Prosciutto, it looked like everyone was preparing for the perfect dinner party!So, we decided to fully immerse ourselves into the French culture by shopping and eating like a local.

While spending an afternoon in the beautiful hilltop village of Gordes we paid a visit to the best shops to purchase the finest ingredients to prepare our very own French dining experience back at our 15th century Chateau turned B&B. This experience was unlike any other. It felt so liberating to be having so much fun with our meal. I think many of us can relate to viewing preparing dinner as a chore at times. It can be full of frustration and last minute trips to the nearest supermarket to find something quick and easy to serve. To actually prepare our meal like the french, savoring it, is an act that we’re bringing home with us to embrace more often!