Dutch-born Anne-Marie Simons is a traveller. She studied in Paris, worked in Brussels and then moved to the United States where for a long time she worked only to support her travel-bug. Today, Anne-Marie and her husband Oscar reside in Aix-en-Provence where she continues to hone her writing. The following …

You may know the traditional Biblical Christmas story, but in Provence, there is a bit more to it. The Provence Christmas story is told in a Nativity play called a pastorale. It incorporates the main details of the traditional Nativity but sets it in a nineteenth-century Provençal village. …Continue reading here …

Contributor blog post by Ashley Tinker: The bakeries are full of hand made chocolate, the church bells have stopped ringing last Thursday only to burst to life on Sunday morning, and just about everyone is planning a large meal that is sure to include some local lamb and spring veggies. The …

The cafes are full inside and out today in Provence as everyone enjoys the mild weather. The baker is furiously making fougasse/pompe à l’huile for tomorrow, the local epicerie can’t seem to keep fresh medjool dates (that melt in your mouth!) and clementines on the shelves. There are towers of …

This year I plan to stay in France for the Christmas holiday. Friends say there’s nothing in the world quite like it. One year I was in Uzes until late December so I got a hint of how special the atmosphere is around here. There are festive decorations on street …

Contributor blog post by Margo Lestz: Slender, conical cypress trees are everywhere in Provence, but there is more to them than meets the eye. These ubiquitous trees may have a hidden meaning depending on where and how they are planted. …Continue reading here for Margo’s post as she investigates the curious history …

In a month’s time, I shall be visiting vineyards in the Negev desert and the archaeological remains of the ancient Nabatean kingdom. Splendid remains of buildings and extensive evidence of large scale agriculture and winemaking indicate the richness of this area in ancient times. The 1st century BCE historian Strabo …

Contributor blog post by Ashley Tinker: Cover of 1953 “Rustica” magazine which covers mostly rural subject matter. Some great images of chickens! I personally love looking through magazines from a different era. What interests me in particular is the advertisements. I like to look out for what might be very …

Contibutor blog post by Victoria Koning @Mirabeau Wine: Sir Francis of Assisi established the tradition of nativity scenes in 1223 with live enactments by people and animals during the midnight mass on Christmas eve in his church of Greccio, Italy. The tradition halted after the French Revolution, when many churches …

Recently, author and Perfectly Provence contributor PJ Adams visited the Strasbourg Christmas Market. PJ wrote this article following her trip to France where she compares the seasonal holiday traditions between Alsace and Provence. Keep reading for PJ’s tasty Christmas post on sauerkraut, gingerbread, calissons and nougat. Strasbourg France, the “Capital …