“Night Nurse Needed – Should be young and pretty.” This was the ad Henri Matisse placed with the nursing school in Nice, France in 1942. He was seventy-two years old and still working while recovering from a serious surgery. He required constant care and needed someone to fill in while …

I’ve just been to a wonderful exhibition at the Royal Academy of Arts in London. It was called Matisse in the Studio, and it shows how the objects that Matisse surrounded himself with appeared in his art. Henri Matisse was a collector: He had an array of vases, chairs, carpets, furniture, …

It’s no surprise that the Côte d’Azur is home to a wide variety of art museums and galleries, considering how many famous artists have made this area their home or spent considerable time here. From Menton to Nice, from St. Paul-de-Vence to Antibes, from Cannes to Saint-Tropez, you’ll find small …

Nice is a city for food lovers. It is the only city in France with a wine appellation inside the city limits. The mild Mediterranean climate means fresh produce and ready access to seafood all year. Cuisine Nissarde is a culinary label that designates traditional recipes and restaurants that make …

The French Riviera coast is lined with sandy and pebbled beaches, grand villas and designer gardens. Whether you arrive by car, plane, train or yacht, it is an attractive destination. While there is no lack of things to do along the Côte d’Azur, you want a dose of culture some …

Steve Wilkison is a web designer, writer and photographer who lives in Vence, France, with his wife Carole Richmond and their dog Myla. Originally from southern California, he first became enchanted with France when he backpacked throughout Europe at the age of 18. He fell in love with Vence the …

Nice is a fascinating city on the beautiful French Riviera. Annexed to France from Italy in 1860, you can feel the French and Italian cultures combined, creating a unique local lifestyle. There are many reasons we love Nice, and here are our top ten. Book a Holiday Rental Near Nice …

Have you ever dreamed of painting in the place where Paul Cézanne, Vincent van Gogh, Henri Matisse, Pablo Picasso and many others found inspiration? If so, join Jill Steenhuis, an American who has spent four decades studying the same landscapes as these masters, for a painting week in Provence. Provence …

Museums dedicated to the works of Henri Matisse and Marc Chagall, a dynamic old town centre, shopping, and music are some of the many reasons to visit Nice. The largest city on the French Riviera with the shimmering Baie des Anges and famous beaches, the capital of the Alpes-Maritimes department …

Provence Invites Creativity Driving through towards Moulin de Gréoux, a soft evening light brushed the limestone spires of the Alpilles. At the same time, the olive groves and vineyards near Les Baux de Provence and Maussane created a multi-hued quilt of green vegetation. I did wonder how one might capture …