A Lesson in Family and Hospitality, French Style

There’s something powerful about being welcomed—not just as a guest, but as family.

Last month, I had the blessing of returning to France, and this time our journey took us to Châteaurenard, a quiet, sun-kissed town tucked away in the heart of Provence. It was here that Christien and François opened their home—and their hearts—to us. And let me tell you, Christien brought out all the stops.

From the moment we arrived, he made sure we were not only well-fed but well-loved. His hospitality wasn’t just thoughtful, it was intentional. From the meals that seemed to appear out of nowhere (and disappear just as quickly) to the hours spent around the table talking, laughing, and remembering, Christien made sure we knew: we mattered.

We shared those meals with Ella—Linda’s aunt—and other members of Linda’s extended family. These are folks who have always welcomed me with open arms, like I’d been a part of their circle from the start. We sat around the table like we’d been doing it for years, and in many ways, we had. The faces might grow older, the stories get funnier (and maybe a little taller), but the feeling? The feeling stays the same.

It was in that space—the soft hum of voices, the clinking of wine glasses, the glow of the Provencal evening—that I realized again: this is what travel is really about. Not monuments, not itineraries, not the things with five stars on Google. It’s about people. It’s about connection. It’s about sitting at a table and feeling like you belong. And it’s the kind of experience no tourist trap could ever recreate.

And the food? It was its own kind of love language. Bread, cheeses, homemade dishes, local wine poured like water. In the U.S., I might buy a bottle and drink it that night. But the French—they buy by the case and store it away. The best is saved for last. That’s not just tradition, that’s Biblical.

I’ve always said, one of the greatest blessings of my life is that travel has become part of my story. But moments like this—when you’re not just visiting, but truly received—remind me how rich life can be when you slow down and let others love on you a little.

To Christien and François, to Ella, and to the whole beautiful family that made Châteaurenard feel like home—thank you. You reminded me once again that hospitality isn’t about what’s on the table. It’s about who’s gathered around it.

And I’m so grateful to have had a seat.

Until next time,
Craig