Le Château d’If à Marseille, rendu célèbre par le Comte de Monte-Cristo

Saviez-vous qu’à quelques minutes en bateau de Marseille se trouve un archipel d’îles ? L’archipel des Îles de Frioul compte quatre îles et des navettes partent régulièrement du Vieux-Port pendant les mois d’été. Vous pouvez facilement passer une journée à faire de la randonnée sur les sentiers ou à...

Learning to Belong in Provence and Speaking French

Are you planning a trip to France or a relocation? Did you take French classes in high school or university, and have not spoken since? While there is no requirement to speak French when you are visiting France, language can often strengthen connections. In my interview with Carolyne Kauser-Abbott,...

French Classics: Easy and Elevated Dishes to Cook at Home a Cookbook by Matthew Ryle

Chef Matthew Ryles has released a cookbook for anyone interested in preparing classic French recipes at home. As soon as you open the front cover, you’ll realize that this is a book worth having in your kitchen. Renowned Chef Raymond Blanc OBE wrote a heartfelt foreword for French Classics:...

Black Truffle Risotto – Risotto à la truffe tuber brumale

France produces approximately half of the world’s black truffles, primarily from Provence. Because they are difficult to farm, truffle hunters and their hounds forage for them in nature among the roots of trees like oak, hazel, and chestnut. Traditionally, pigs with their keen sense of smell were used to...

An Insider’s Guide to Provence (2026 Update) by Keith Van Sickle

In 2021, Keith Van Sickle published An Insider’s Guide to Provence, and he has now released an updated edition. This book serves as a supplementary reference material rather than a traditional guidebook. Comprehensive travel guides, such as those from Fodor’s, Lonely Planet, and Rick Steves, cover all aspects of...

Download Our Winter Menu Collection

Featuring 25 recipes from the South of France for winter weather, along with menu suggestions, all designed to make your cooking experience enjoyable. Download this PDF, which includes recipes for starters, main courses, side dishes, and desserts.

Explore Provence

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Explore · Learning French · Villages Towns and Cities · Virginie Van Der Wees

Le Château d’If à Marseille, rendu célèbre par le Comte de Monte-Cristo

February 6, 2026
Saviez-vous qu’à quelques minutes en bateau de Marseille se trouve un archipel d’îles ? L’archipel des Îles de Frioul compte quatre îles et des navettes partent régulièrement du Vieux-Port pendant les mois d’été. Vous pouvez facilement passer une journée à faire de la randonnée sur les sentiers ou à vous prélasser sur les plages de …
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Explore · Guest Post

Things I Wish I Knew Before Spending a Month in Provence

January 14, 2026
I’ve been slow-travelling full-time for over five years now, spending at least a month in each place I visit. And while I’ve explored everywhere from Thailand to New Zealand and beyond, there was something about Provence that felt entirely different. I’d been to France many times before, but Provence stood apart. I knew it would …
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Carolyne Kauser-Abbott · Inspire · What's On Provence & Cote d'Azur · Winter in Provence

2026 Winter in Provence Events and Festivals Calendar

November 26, 2025
 Winter Festivals and Events in Provence Many images of Provence and the Côte d’Azur depict summer scenes with ribbons of blooming lavender fields, glasses of rosé with beads of condensation, and beautiful people in straw hats enjoying their holidays. Perhaps wintertime in Provence garners less attention, but it’s a great time to enjoy the region …
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Carolyne Kauser-Abbott · Explore · Villages Towns and Cities

The Camargue is Provence’s Unmissable Wild Side

November 10, 2025
While the lavender and sunflower fields of Provence are visually stunning, the Camargue region offers a unique combination of natural beauty that makes it a must-see destination. What makes visiting the Camargue so special? This area is home to semi-wild horses, untamed bulls, a diverse population of birds, rugged cowhands, and beautiful sandy beaches. In …
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Carolyne Kauser-Abbott · Explore · Provencal History & Traditions · Villages Towns and Cities

Why Plan to Visit Tarascon on the Rhône River in Provence

November 7, 2025
The town of Tarascon sits on the left (east) bank of the Rhône River in Provence, directly across the water from its sister town, Beaucaire. Located south of Avignon and north of Arles, it would be difficult for these two small towns to sparkle next to the larger and better-funded communities. However, for residents, that …
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Explore · Learning French · Villages Towns and Cities · Virginie Van Der Wees

Marseille’s Château d’If: French Immersion and the Count of Monte Cristo

October 29, 2025
Did you know that a short ferry ride from Marseille is an archipelago of islands? There are four islands in the Iles de Frioul archipelago, and ferries run from the Vieux Port regularly during the summer months. You can easily spend a day hiking the trails or lounging on the beaches of Ratonneau. The smallest …
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Tastes of Provence

Provencal Recipes · Salad · Tasha Powell · Taste

Sweet Moroccan Cucumber Salad

Are you looking for a refreshing spring-summer salad to serve with your dinner?  On the last Pitcher & Powell Culinary Adventure to Marrakech, we learned to make this simple, yet stunning sweet cucumber salad!  The only ingredient that you may not have on hand but can be ordered from a specialty store (such as The …
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Beef · Let’s Eat the World · Main Course · Provencal Recipes · Taste

For a Hearty Winter Stew try Grillade Saint Gilloise

A slow-cooked meat stew, Grillade Saint-Gilloise, might be the perfect winter recipe. A hearty meat dish, this recipe typically includes beef or bull (taureau) chuck, onions, anchovy fillets, and capers. Sometimes called agrillade, aigriade, in Arles broufade, in Provencal broufado.  The key to this recipe is the long marinating time. We recommend at least overnight. …
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Appetizer · Carolyne Kauser-Abbott · Lunchtime Meals · Provencal Recipes · Taste

A French Onion Tart Recipe from Our Young Lady of Paris

Coco Mary Blignaut admits that she has had many lives in one lifetime. Born in South Africa, she has travelled extensively and now lives in Southern California near Los Angeles. An actress, film producer, writer and educator, Blignaut has written several books, including Mademoiselle Puss in Provence and now Our Young Lady of Paris. Blignaut …
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