Return to the film locations for "A Good Year" movie starring Rusell Crowe and Marion Cotillard

I told you in a previous post that "A Good Year" starring Russell Crowe and Marion Cotillard is my favorite American/British-made movie set in the South of France. The movie is directed by Ridley Scott who himself lives in the Luberon and is based on a Peter Mayle novel.

The movie tells the story of Max (Russell Crowe) who inherits a rundown house and vineyard in Provence from his Uncle Henry played by Albert Finney who Max visited during summers as a boy. Rather than being excited about his good fortune, Max wants to quickly sell the property and return to his life in London where he is a ruthless securities trader and loner.

Instead, things get a little complicated and he stays around and soon falls head-over-heels for a beautiful café owner named Fanny Chenal played by the very pretty, perfectly French, Marion Cotillard. I know it didn't win any Oscar awards but I love romantic stories and the movie is set in one of our favorite parts of Provence.

A few months back, our Windsor neighbors Fred and Linda paid us a visit in Sablet. Like us, they are fans of the movie, so one of our day trips was a tour of the locations where "A Good Year" was filmed during 9 weeks in the fall of 2005 in the Luberon region of Provence. In this post, I will share some of the sights we saw that day.

The first scene in Provence after Max learns Uncle Max passed away is a plane flying over Gordes on its way to the Marseille Provence airport. Gordes is a beautiful hilltop village, one of the Plus Beaux Villages de France...which means "Most beautiful villages of France", seen below.

Early scene in movie shows this view of Gordes as Max's plane passes overhead on the way to Marseille Airport

Château la Canorgue, the location used for the house and vineyard that Max inherits is really a working winery owned by Jean-Pierre Margan. The Chateau is about 1 mile outside of Bonnieux on the road to the Pont Julien. Château la Canorgue is a family-owned wine estate that thanks to the hard work and dedication of successive generations has remained in the family for more than 200 years.

In the 1970s, Jean-Pierre Margan, a pioneer in organic farming started tending the vineyard and producing wines. He passed on his passion and experience to his daughter, Nathalie, who is the 5th generation of winegrowers. If you visit the winery, you can taste their wine, including a bottle of "Le Coin Perdu" which has a very significant part in the movie.

Entrance to Château la Canorgue

The movie was filmed inside the house, and outside in the garden and vineyards. As you stand by the vineyards and look up at the house, it looks just like it did in the film warm, inviting, and "aged to a soft patina".

The house at Château la Canorgue

For the movie, Château la Canorgue's name was changed to Château la Siroque. Several scenes in the movie were filmed in front of the house, including a final scene with Max and Fanny on the terrace.

Pool at Château la Canorgue and view toward current tasting room

Back in Gordes for his appointment with the Notaire, Max circles this roundabout several times with a war memorial in the center as he tries to figure out which direction to take. The best thing about roundabouts in Provence is that many are beautifully designed or some type of art form and reflect something important about the town or village where they are located.

Roundabout in center of Gordes which Max circles several times in his little yellow car before meeting the Notaire

La Renaissance Restaurant in the heart of Gordes is the place where scenes of Fanny's bistro were filmed in the 'A Good Year' movie.

Fanny's bistro was filmed at Hotel le Renaissance in Gordes

It is hard to pass the restaurant and fountain on Place du Château in Gordes without thinking about Max and Fanny and the movie scenes shot in this location.

Fountain in front of Fanny's café where Max waited for Fanny to ask her out on a date

Uncle Henry's longtime winemaker in the movie is Francis Duflot (Didier Bourbon)and his wife is Ludivine (Isabelle Candelier) who cared for the place when Max was a boy. One night Max is invited to dinner at their home.

Château Les Eydins which was the location for Francis Duflot's home

Cucuron is where Max and Fanny have their first date, watching a black and white movie in the square by the basin under the plane trees. Max brings a bottle of "Le Coin Perdu" wine.

Place de l'Étang in Cucuron

Bonnieux is the village seen in this panoramic shot from the Chateau. There is a very similar shot in the movie.

Bonnieux as seen from Chateau la Canorgue

Cafe de France in Lacoste is where Max finds Christie to return her book and give her a letter he forged from Uncle Henry acknowledging that Christie is his child and asked Max to please share La Siroque with her.

Café de France terrace

The bus stop where Max finds Christie was shot in front of Café de France in Lacoste.

Café de France in Lacoste

We were saddened by the passing of Peter Mayle a few months back. My love of Provence truly began with reading "A Year in Provence," a 1989 best-selling memoir by Peter Mayle about his first year in Provence, and the local events and customs.

More Scenes of Russell Crowe's "A Good Year" Movie

I told you in my last post that "A Good Year" starring Russell Crowe and Marion Cotillard is my favorite movie set in the South of France.

It's based on a Peter Mayle novel and tells the story of Max Skinner (Russell Crowe) who inherits a rundown château and vineyard in the Luberon from Uncle Henry. I would have been thrilled, but Max just wants to sell the château fast and return to his life in London being a securities trader and miserable loner.

Instead, stuff happens and he stays around the old château and soon forgets how to be lonely and falls for a beautiful café owner by the name of Fanny Chenal played by the very pretty Marion Cotillard. I know it's not an Oscar winning movie but I love the setting in the Luberon.

Château la Canorgue, the château and vineyard that Max inherits is the main location for the movie. The winery is really owned by Jean-Pierre Margan, the winemaker, his wife, Martine, and their daughter, Nathalie and is located about 1 mile outside of the village of Bonnieux.

As I told you before, Château la Canorgue makes one of our favorite rosé wines and we had come to Bonnieux for lunch and buy wine at the Château. The view below from Château la Canorgue to Bonnieux and the Petit Luberon mountains is shown several times in the movie.



View toward Bonnieux from Château la Canorgue

Several scenes were filmed in front of the house at Château la Canorgue including a final scene with Max and Fanny on the terrace. If you look closely, you can see a small table and two chairs where you can imagine Max and Fanny enjoying wine from the Château and looking out over the vineyards.

The house at Château la Canorgue

You can see how this beautiful old house set among huge shade trees with a manicured garden and well tended vineyards could seduce a busy London banker like Max Skinner with dreams of life with Fanny.

Garden and vineyards at Château la Canorgue

After buying wine, we went to Cucuron, an 11th century walled village on the plains of the Durance River in Luberon Natural Park. Just beyond the village walls is an étang, a rectangular pool, whose origin dates from the beginning of the 14th century. The pool is lined along one side with café-restaurant terraces.

L'étang of Cucuron where Max and Fanny have their first date

We had come to l'étang where Max brought Fanny for an outdoor movie accompanied by live band music on their first date. It would have been almost impossible for Max and Fanny to not have a romantic evening with candle lights and lanterns flickering and the water of l'étang shimmering below the plane trees that stand like sentries around the pond.

L'étang of Cucuron

There is more to see in Cucuron than l'étang but that will have to wait for a future visit. If you are planning a trip to Provence, you should download the movie. The movie was largely shot on locations around the Luberon and the cinematography is wonderful. If you are on the fence about a trip to Provence, see the movie and you will be convinced. See you soon.

Al Fresco Lunch at Restaurant l'Arome in Bonnieux and a Walk-about the Village

I think I told you that one of my favorite movies is "A Good Year" starring Russell Crowe. In case you haven't seen the movie, Russell Crowe plays Max, a successful London banker who inherits a château after the death of Uncle Henry played by Albert Finney.

We have visited most of the sites where the movie was shot around the Luberon. The last time we went to Château La Canorgue, the site for the run down château and winery Max inherited near Bonnieux, they were sold out of their rosé which we like.

A few months back, we went to the Luberon to visit Cucuron and see the étang, a long pond in the center of the village where Max and Fanny Chenal, played by Marion Cotillard, have their first date. On the way, we went by Bonnieux to have lunch and buy rosé at nearby Château La Canorgue.

As we drove to Bonnieux, we came upon this beautiful field of coquelicots. "Naturellement," we stopped for pictures since coquelicots are Shirley's favorite flowers.

Cousin Matthias and Shirley in field of coquelicots near Rogne

Field of coquelicots near Rogne

Bonnieux sits on a steep Luberon hill overlooking a valley with a patchwork of vineyards, lavender fields and orchards. Nearby is Pont Julien, a beautiful Roman bridge and the Cedar Forest planted in 1862 with cedars from the Moroccan Atlas Mountains. Dating back to Roman times, village houses and shops cascade down the hill.

Bonnieux

As I said, we had come to Bonnieux for lunch. We've found that restaurants designated "Bib Gourmand" by the infamous Michelin inspectors offer very good food for a moderate price. It is awarded to restaurants that offer a complete, three-course meal (starter, main course and dessert) for €31 or less.

So this day, we dined at L'Arome, a foodie favorite in Bonnieux designated a Bib Gourmand in the 2013 edition of "Bonne Petite Tables du Guide Michelin." Yes, I will admit it, I am a list man and I generally try to figure out what are likely to be the best restaurants in a village before we go.

Cousin Matthias and Shirley at L'Arome Restaurant

It was not a super warm day but warm enough that we chose to sit outside on the terrace where we could watch the activities around the restaurant. We all selected the three-course "Menu du Marché" for the aforementioned €31. Lucky for us, they had the Château La Canorgue rosé on their wine list.

Château La Canorgue rosé

To get our lunch started, the chef sent out a tasty "amuse bouche" of Velouté de fenouil (fennel soup) in a shot glass.

Velouté de fenouil

For starter, we all chose the Sweet Peppers and Sun-dried Tomato Mille-feuille with Honeyed Fresh Goat Cheese.

Sweet peppers and sun-dried tomato mille-feuille with honeyed fresh goat cheese

Our main courses included Sea Bass Fillet with Barigoule Sauce served over Saffron Bulgar with Zucchini and Almonds, and

Sea bass fillet with barigoule sauce served over saffron bulgar with zucchini and almonds

A Saddle of Rabbit with Tian of Provencal Vegetables.

A saddle of rabbit with tian of Provencal vegetables

The restaurant has a beautiful dining room carved it seems out of the stones.

Interior of l'Arome Restaurant

For dessert, our choices included Caramelized Apple Puree, Crispy Shortbread, and Manzana Apple Sorbet, and

Caramelized apple puree, crispy shortbread, and Manzana apple sorbet

Fresh Oranges in Jelly, Honey Ice Cream, and Cake with Candied Oranges.

Fresh oranges in jelly, honey ice cream, and cake with candied oranges

The cooking and service were very good and I would recommend L'Arome if you are looking for a great dining spot in Bonnieux. Having enjoyed a wonderful lunch, we wandered around Bonnieux before we went to Château La Canorgue to buy our rosé.

A view down the street toward the New Church in Bonneiux

Hotel Dieu (hospital from 1749 to 1948, today the Town Hall)

Water fountain

Part of the Defensive Fortifications of Bonnieux

Archway Through the Defensive Fortifications.

Stone Bell Tower on Top of Village House

Archway Through Defensive Fortifications of Bonnieux

Covered Passageway in Bonnieux

Cobblestone Street

A Café on Place de la Liberté

A road also winds back and forth up through the village, passing small squares with shops and cafés at different levels.

Winding Street Through Bonnieux

There are 86 steps up to the Old Church at the top of Bonnieux.

Cobblestone Steps Up to Old Church at Top of Village

Cobblestone Street

12th Century Old Church of Bonnieux

There is a great view over the valley towards Lacoste with its famous château which formerly belonged to the Marquis de Sade. Today the château belongs to Pierre Cardin, the famous stylist designer.

View Toward Lacoste

New Church of Bonnieuxx Built in 1870

There are some beautiful houses in Bonnieux that date back to the 16th century, and the village's relative opulence dates back to this period when several bishops lived in Bonnieux when this area belonged to the Popes.

Bonnieux Village House

The Clock and Bell Tower on a Bonnieux Building

Restaurant l'Arôme
2 Rue Lucien Blanc
84480 Bonnieux
Tel: 04 90 75 88 6
www.laromerestaurant.com

Russell Crowe at Château la Canorgue

After our picnic at the top of Bonnieux, the ladies and I headed down the hill toward the village of Gordes. On the way, we were going to Château la Canorgue, the site for the run-down château and vineyard in the movie "A Good Year." In case you haven't seen the movie, Russell Crowe plays Max, a successful London banker who inherits the château after the death of Uncle Henry played by Albert Finney.

The movie is based on the book "A Good Year" by Peter Mayle and set in the Luberon. The movie was mostly shot on location during 9 weeks in the fall of 2005. Shirley and I love the movie especially the outstanding cinematography and know the movie's locations in Gordes, Lacoste, the Marseille airport and rental car area and vineyards between Oppede and Menerbes where Max gets lost in his little yellow car.

Château la Canorgue, the château and vineyard that Max inherits is the main location for the movie. The winery is really owned by Jean-Pierre Margan, the winemaker, his wife, Martine, and their daughter, Nathalie and is located about 1 mile outside of the village of Bonnieux. The view below from Château la Canorgue to Bonnieux and the Petit Luberon is shown several times in the movie.

The movie which was directed by Ridley Scott who himself owns a house in Provence and is a friend of Peter Mayle includes scenes inside the château and outside in the vineyards and garden. Several scenes in the movie were filmed in front of the house, including a final scene with Max and Fanny who is played by the beautiful Marion Cottiard, on the terrace.

You can imagine how this beautiful old house set among huge shade trees with its manicured garden and well tended vineyards could seduce a busy London banker like Max Skinner with dreams of a happier life with with sweet Fanny.

A close up of the terrace in front of the house with the adjoining chapel to the right. If you look closely, you can see a little table and chairs where you can imagine Max and Fanny sitting while they sip on a glass of wine from the domaine and look out over the vineyards.

There are a total of 30 hectares (74 acres) planted in vineyards all organically grown. In the movie, the vineyards are tended by Francis Duflot played by French Algeria-born actor Didier Bourdon while his wife Ludivine Duflot played by French actress Isabelle Candelier does cooking and cleaning at the house for Max.

The Coin Perdue is the "illegal" red wine made by Max's uncle Henry and Francis Duflot from grapes grown on the estate. The wine was illegal because it was made from grapes that were not permitted in the Luberon AOC. The wine was well known and sought by collectors but its origins were a secret according to the movie. Unfortunately, the winery was sold out of the Coin Perdue and their rosé wine when we were there last month so we will have to return so we can try them.

We watch the movie often and enjoy seeing the scenery and locations that we know so well. It makes us yearn to be back in Provence. If you have not seen the movie, download it and watch it now. Let me know what you think.

Bonne journée mes amis et à bientôt. Have a great week.