My wife Val and I live part of the year in St-Rémy-de-Provence, a little town at the base of the Alpilles Mountains. One of our favourite things is having a picnic lunch and exploring Provence’s beautiful little nooks and crannies. Over the years, we’ve discovered many lovely places to eat …

Apparently, when Alice B. Toklas went on a picnic, she did not fool around. I say “apparently” because I can find no evidence that today’s recipe was either taken on a picnic by Toklas or is actually her recipe. I have an uncredited magazine clipping — most likely from the …

Our time in Provence passes far too easily. The days slip by in a gentle pattern of dog-walking, cycling, pottering around local villages and just sitting, chatting, whilst we set the world to rights. I know we should be doing lots of other things too, like making the most of …

Picnic is a universal term for creating a culinary experience in nature with some of your favourite portable foods. The French, though, take the word pique-nique to an elevated culinary level! My experiences in North America pale in comparison to the memorable pique-nique outings I have experienced in Provence. Start with …

This recipe is a delicious combination of savoury (sourdough), creamy (ricotta), sweet (peach and honey), and tangy (chicory, radicchio, vinegar). Enjoy a DIY open-faced sandwich in the sun with a crisp rosé from Provence.

Just ten minutes from the centre of St.-Rémy is a shady picnic spot known only to the locals. It sits along the shores of a lake created thousands of years ago by the Romans. When hordes of tourists crowd into town, it’s nice to take a break in a quiet …

Crespeou (pronounced cres-PAY-oo) means crêpe in Provencal is also called Gâteau d’Omelettes. This is a traditional Provencal recipe, which is often found in picnic hampers

Summer holidays call for easy recipes and portable meals that work just as well at the beach as on a buffet table. This summer picnic menu is inspired by the endless sunny days and cicada-filled symphonies of Provence. Enjoy summer dining al fresco with these simple to make, easy to pack and delicious …

Want to lose weight? Open an artisanal ice cream shop. Elizabeth Bard tells me that she and her husband Gwendal lost 10 and 20 pounds, respectively, the first summer they opened Scaramouche Artisan Glacier in Cérèste. The tale of how an art historian from New York and a Frenchman with …

As a family we love going on picnics all over the wonderful area the we call home – the Côte d’Azur. Here I share with you some of our favourite locations; some well known, others not so. An absolute favourite spot, which is always a success with visitors when we …