Five women, four forty years old, and one matron of sixty-one take a holiday to France anxious to escape their robotic lives in Cape Elizabeth, Maine. Wendy, the travel agent, Penny, owner of a needlework shop, Sarah, accomplished artist, Vernie, executive director of the Portland Symphony, and Rose, who is a recent widow all wind their way through Provence with adventures conflicts, and a generous portion of food and wine. Each evening they gather around the large plane tree at their renter farmhouse to vent and give advice to each other. Conflicts emerge when Sarah has an affair, the rest of the group blasts her behavior, and Wendy's constant critical comments to Rose almost tear the group apart. By the end of the trip, each return home recharged to explore hidden dreams and change their lives.