It was a great week with Network Provence, starting with a little out-of-the-ordinary meeting at Golf des Ocres https://www.hautesgarrigues.com. We were invited to test out the newish golf course and see what was on offer. This golfing centre caters to golfers of all levels, including a women’s league, and offers prices that suit budgets not typically associated with the sport. We met on the large veranda overlooking the driving range and the eco-minded 9-hole course, with its ochre sand traps.
Introductions to three new NP ladies were made, and as always, it was fascinating to hear their stories of how they came to Provence, as well as a catch-up on what everyone has been up to this summer. We sipped big, sunshiny spritzes, and then Mathieu, the golf pro, gave us a quick initiation to using the driving range. We used the club’s Trackman monitors to note how far and fast we hit the balls out on the range, and there was much cheering each time we managed to connect with something other than air or ground. Golf is trickier than it looks! With their affordable prices and happy hour events, @hautegarrigues, Golf des Ochres proves to be a fun time out doing something a little different. There is also a restaurant and many summer plans to take advantage of -even for non-members.
Rounding out the week, several NP women met up for Raina Stinson’s first solo exhibition of original photography, held at L’ArtBroc Cafe, a delightful cafe bar in Velleron that showcases local artists’ work amidst its brocante shop. They serve drinks and killer Croque monsieurs/mesdames in a charming indoor/outdoor area with a super convivial atmosphere.
Velleron is not the most well-known little village, but it boasts a nightly marché du producteurs with the freshest, field-to-table produce in the land, making it well worth a visit.
Raina’s photography will be on show for the month. She is an award-winning photographer who offers iPhone classes and hosts an artist residence here in Velleron. The photographs she creates are beautiful depictions of this region, as well as more stylised looks at Americana and women’s lifestyles, with a fair bit of cheek on the side.
The consensus was that we all enjoy getting out and about, so we will look for more discovery events to explore as part of our Network Provence get-together. If you have something that fits the bill, get in touch!
Until next time! A bientôt!
Written by Maryna Fontenoy for Network Provence
some time in their garden with its fountain and ancient trees. This is where we had our conversation about the museum collections and the most prominent painters in them. The first floor presents mostly French artists from the 18th and 19th centuries (Corot, Manet, Delacroix, among others) and artists and paintings depicting city life in Provence. 
o travel and explore, and is passionate about tourism.