Paul Shawcross lives in Newcastle, England, and he is a devoted Francophile who has made many work and personal trips to France. In 1979, passing through France for the first time on the way to Spain, his long relationship with the French country and its culture began. A professional travel …

While we often think of soup as a cold-weather dish, some recipes bridge the seasons perfectly. Filled with vegetables and legumes, la soupe au pistou is one such dish. In Nice and traditional Cuisine Nissarde pistou soup is a summer dish. A mix of seasonal vegetables, potatoes and beans cook …

Who doesn’t love the idea of a trip to Aix-en-Provence, France, and the chance to solve an art mystery? In her latest novel, The European Adventures: Aix Marks the Spot A Mystery Adventure Book for Kids, Rachel Selle brings characters from her first book, The European Adventures: Mystery at Mouse …

The family reunion began in Paris, with ten (10) of us gathering for two nights. It was an intense program as the kids wanted to visit all the sights from Sacré Coeur to the Eiffel Tower and points in between. After three nights in the “City of Lights,” we took …

Perched above the Luberon Valley, Ménerbes deserves its classification as one of the 172 prettiest villages in France. With old stone facades, pedestrian-friendly streets, tempting boutiques, and lively cafés, Ménerbes exudes Provencal charm. Ménerbes is also home to a thriving art scene, including an artist residency program inspired by Dora …

The Biennale Internationale de la Céramique runs from July 7 to October 1, 2023. The artistic festival includes Greek ceramists presenting their work in the Hedberg-Torun exhibition rooms in Biot until September 24. At the same time, roughly 50 ceramic artists from Provence, Alpes, and Côte d’Azur will exhibit their …

Summer is not the time of year to be behind a hot stove or pulling casseroles out of an oven. It is, however, the time to prepare simple recipes perfect for outdoor dining, whether at your table, poolside or the next picnic location. Provence is generally hot in the summer, …

This delicious summer menu comes from Stephanie Villegas, a private chef and owner of Laurel, a cooking school in Provence. A Mexican-American, Stephanie married a Frenchman, and they now live in the historic Alpilles village of Fontvieille. Stephanie created a 3-course menu that is ideally suited for summer entertaining. Her …

What’s On in the South of France? During the summer in Provence and the Côte d’Azur, daytime temperatures range from warm to hot. So, you don’t need an excuse to laze by the pool. The lavender is in bloom this time of year, and the sunflowers put on a spectacular …

Customs and terminology can be confusing in a foreign country, and France is no exception. North Americans and other international travellers might not understand (or search for) terms like gîte, mazet, chambres d’hôtes, or hôtel de charme. What is a Gîte? A gîte is a terrific option for holiday rentals …