The six of us were gathered around the island in Stephanie Villegas’ kitchen wearing olive green Laurel aprons. It was time for our group to stop the banter and pay attention to the chef; otherwise, we might not eat lunch. We were at Atelier Laurel for a hands-on cooking class …
We are thrilled to introduce our new and exciting service – Cooking and Conversation classes in my village of Fontvieille in the Alpilles. French Language Cooking Classes: In collaboration with Catherine, a certified French teacher with over 25 years of experience, our two-hour class provides a unique blend of culinary …
Private chef and cooking school owner Stephanie Villegas created the delicious 2024 spring menu that follows. This 3-course meal includes seasonal produce – peas, artichokes and berries – and mouthwatering roast chicken. Enjoy the taste of Provence this spring. Spring Delights Menu As the vibrant hues of spring bloom around …
Indulging in these fresh berry shortcakes with lemon verbena cream is a delightful experience. The texture of the spongy cake contrasts nicely with the smooth, flavourful cream. The sweet and slightly tart taste of the berries, coupled with the citrusy and aromatic notes from the lemon verbena, bursts with freshness …
We have featured many villages and larger towns from St Remy to Nice in our “Where we live in Provence” series, including other places in the Luberon. Perhaps missed by the typical tourist itineraries, Rustrel is a small Luberon Valley village worth visiting. We asked Beth, who owns a home …
Visiting Provence’s famous lavender fields is truly what dreams are made of. It’s a magical, sensory experience. You inhale the earthy fragrance filling the summer air and see the rows of deep purple flowers dancing toward the horizon. Experience the lavender plateaus and visit many remarkable sites in the South …
Famous for its perched medieval villages, Provencal markets, and vineyards, the Luberon Valley is a popular destination for visitors. The hilltop towns of Ansouis, Bonnieux, Gordes, Ménerbes and Roussillon are some of the beautiful stops on most itineraries. However, some villages receive less “foot traffic” but are well worth the …
Deciding to go to Marseille for 24 hours, one night, we landed on November 1st as the best date for our schedule, but it is La Toussaint (All Saints Day), a public holiday (jour férié) and a busy time. However, we were lucky: the place I wanted to stay was …
Below is a collection of things you can do while visiting Marseille. These are only some of my ideas for a day in the city or a few days. The list includes something for everyone from beachgoers to art lovers. Enjoy this fascinating city. Head to the Beach I was …
We only had a week in Villefranche-sur-Mer on the French Riviera, but we needed a lifetime. Born in Nice, Celine O’Donnell loves her city and has turned her passion into walking tours in Nissa la Belle. On a hot summer day, we joined Celine for a walking tour of Old …
Looking for a tranquil, self-catered vacation home for two? Book your stay at one of the 3 cottages - maisonettes - at Maison Valvert.
Les Olivettes, once a Provencal farmhouse in the Luberon, has 4 spacious rental apartments only a 4-minute walk from the centre of Lourmarin.
If you are looking for a perfect holiday rental property, with a heated pool, Les Vallons sleeps 12 people in a fully restored hamlet.
A townhouse in Saint Martin de Castillon, a hilltop village. This home is ideal for couples who want to experience an authentic Provencal lifestyle.
Founded in 1948, La Maison Degrenne is focused on "art de la table," these delicate porcelain dessert plates are a perfect example. Sold as a set of 4 plates by My French Country Home Box, they represent the seasons; cherries for spring, sweet peach for summer, a ripe fig for autumn, and a vibrant lemon for winter.
Maison Pichon is known for its distinctive corbeilles tressées, intricately braided ceramic baskets made nowhere else. These delicate creations are meant to serve as fruit bowls but can also be dressed with dried flowers to make a centrepiece. Made by hand, each basket can take up to a month to complete.
Made with olive oil from Provence and exclusive fragrances from the perfume capital of France, Grasse. These Rose et Marius liquid soaps are paraben-free and refillable. Try this soap the next time your shower with a scent that will remind you of a fig tree in summer. Found in beautiful 5* hotels and top-quality restaurants.
The Rose et Marius founder combines the natural scents of Provence and her childhood memories into fragrances that take you on an olfactory journey. Those fragrances form the base notes for exclusive perfumes which infuse the scented candles. Buy these refillable candles as gifts or for your home.
Le Rob'Fresh is a lightweight cooler bag for bottles, lunch or even a picnic. The cooler bag weighs 300g (10 oz) and can hold 2.8 kg (6 lbs). Available in a collection of designs. The fabric is OEKO-TEX® certified, and the bags have an environmentally-friendly kraft gel pack. Le Rob'Fresh medium version is L 37 cm (14.5 in) x H 25cm (10 in) x W 10 cm (4 in). The bags are machine-washable (in cold). Price is 35€ + shipping.