The Drôme Provençale, despite the name and the Mediterranean landscapes, is technically part of the Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes region and not Provence. As a result of its natural setting, the Drôme Provençale has several food specialties that intersect the culinary boundary between the South and North. Below we highlight the six (6) …

I have never lived in a village in France. I lived in a city (Paris), but I’ve always lived in the countryside in Provence. Never far from a town, but not actually in one. As we are working out a plan for a full-time life in Provence, I thought it …

We often visit Grignan in the Drome Provencale, an area that falls between the Rhone River and the Alps north of the Vaucluse. Since we were last there in the summer of 2019, Grignan was added to the Plus Beaux Villages de France. And, there is little wonder why. Rising …

It’s a toss-up between coquelicots (red poppies) and lavender, but probably no other scent or sight says Provence better than the pungent aroma of a purple field of lavender growing in mounded rows under a brilliant blue summer sky. We were lucky that it was the lavender season when we …

We have been to Grignan in the Drôme Provençale several times, an area that falls between the Rhône River and the Alps north of the Vaucluse. So when we were in Sablet last fall with friends Steve and Mary, we took a day trip to Grignan and ate lunch at …

Contributor blog post by David Taylor: We are accommodating more cyclists this year, Nigel and his wife Jenny are on their second visit, Nigel (pictured) is a very experienced road and mountain biker, and so I was a little nervous joining him and our friends Kevin & Siobhan, also very experienced …

Contributor blog post by David Taylor: I am continuing to train for a further ascent of Mont Ventoux in the coming weeks so my Tuesday ride took me over the hills past Javon and down to Sault. As ever the first glimpse of Ventoux with the lavender in full bloom …

Running east to west in Provence’s Bouches-du-Rhône department, the Alpilles (“small Alps”) is a mountain range, protected park, and agricultural area. Its rugged, arid alpine terroir suits growing grapes and olives on its flanks. Below, we cover ideas for touring the Alpilles vineyards in Provence, many of which also produce …

Below is our visitor’s guide to help you discover some of Provence’s ceramics and pottery artists. The page is organized alphabetically by department within the region. We have included the artists we know and some galleries and museums worth visiting. Please feel free to send us any suggestions so we …

Lavender blooms for a relatively short time in Provence. Like any plant, the exact peak flowering time depends on several factors, including weather and altitude. Generally, the lavender fields in the South of France peak in early July and are harvested by mid-August. Many people plan their trips specifically to …