Mother Nature determines the exact timing of when the lavender fields bloom in Provence each year. However, there is a certain magic with visiting the region before the crowds arrive for summer. Typically, June is a lovely month to travel in the South of France before it gets too hot …

Fall in Provence is a magical season. With the summer holidays over, the region feels calmer, and the seasonal colours make for stunning backdrops. Emily Durand, the founder of Your Private Provence, a small group tour operator, has designed an exceptional autumn adventure called “October in Provence,” which strikes a …

It’s not a dream. Outside your window, the cicadas are chanting as the sun moves higher in the morning sky, warming the Provencal countryside. You are in Provence during the lavender season and learning about photography. Now that is a dream! On holidays, you want to immerse in the local …

Emily Durand, the founder of Your Private Provence, decided to turn her Covid-19 lockdown experience from lemons into lemonade. She refined her ideas for small-group tour itineraries in Provence, resulting in a delightful combination of charming villages, gardens and comfortable accommodations. Vaucluse Vineyards and Views The eight (8) night trip …

Barely three months ago, many of us had never heard of Coronavirus or Covid-19. Now, we are glued to our newsfeeds and stunned by the rapidly changing environment. The health impact is real and terrifying, and the economic consequences are likely far-reaching. The terms self-isolation, shelter-in-place, lockdown, confinement have moved …

Magical Lavender Spotting a lavender field in flower for the first time is magical, but it’s the fragrance that is heavenly. The tiny plants stretch towards the horizon, like small purple streams. It’s little wonder why you see so many images of people posing against this stunning backdrop. Lavender fields, …

Magical Lavender Spotting a lavender field in flower for the first time is magical, but it’s the fragrance that is heavenly. The tiny plants stretch towards the horizon, like small purple streams. It’s little wonder why you see so many images of people posing against this stunning backdrop. Lavender fields, …

“The Allure of Provence and its Wines” was previously published in Culinaire Magazine (June 2016). This updated article includes additional reading, travel tips, and details on wine colour production and terminology. Mention Provence to a friend and they likely have a mental image that involves cobalt skies, cicadas and lavender …

It would be difficult to call Emily Durand an expat at this stage. After living in the South of France for more than two decades, Emily is wholly immersed in the region with her family. Once the kids reached school age, she decided it was her time to launch a …

Provence’s natural beauty, rich cultural history and agreeable weather are some of the many reasons that one might choose to visit the region. However, it is the food and wine that will make you want to come back time and again. This article outlines a variety of available options for …