By late November, the Christmas markets in Provence are in full swing. Individual cabanas decorated with festive trimmings line the Cours Mirabeau in Aix-en-Provence. In a short walk, you can buy some gingerbread (pain d’épices) to go with your foie gras, stock up on a few santons for your crèche …

Dutch-born Anne-Marie Simons is a traveller. She studied in Paris, worked in Brussels and then moved to the United States where for a long time she worked only to support her travel-bug. Today, Anne-Marie and her husband Oscar reside in Aix-en-Provence where she continues to hone her writing. The following …

Sheep and goats have wondered the hilly fields of Provence for centuries – providing milk for all the wonderful regional cheeses. Larger animals such as dairy cows and beef cattle are not well-suited to the harsh Mediterranean climate and limited grazing land. The seasonal movement of the sheep and goat …

They had all booked a week exploring Provence – a dream trip! Now, these 10 adults are seated in a slightly warm mini-van – some of the group swoons over the lavender fields and others love Van Gogh, some are early risers and others are always late. Meet Philippe Goninet …

It all started with a backpacking trip to France in 1967. Patricia Sands spent her 21st year travelling and working in Europe, taking in the sights with her peers. After those 12-months, she was hooked on travel and unaware of the promises that Provence held in her future. Life moved …

With both music and Provence thumping through his veins, Manolo-J is a musical brand name to his fans. A true “southerner” Manuel was born in Cavaillon some 25 years ago; he now calls Saint Remy de Provence home.

Paul Shawcross is an Economics major who turned his sights to travel, photography and writing in the 1990s. He has written many freelance articles for Francophile publications. His experience led Michelin to knock on his door for help writing and revising their Green Guides – for a long list of …

Where Paris restaurants trip over themselves to serve up Belgium-style (that might raise a few French eyebrows) moules-frites to the tourist crowd, Provencal chefs are happy with their variations. Mussel farming is the highest-volume shellfish industry in Europe. However, it is by no means contemporary. Shellfish cultivation on wooden stakes …

Bourride is a simple Provencal fish stew made with white fish. The broth is thickened with aïoli, a homemade garlicky mayonnaise. Many ingredients are similar, making it a cousin of Bouillabaisse. Preparing bourride is relatively quick, depending on the thickness of the fish. However, its creamy texture separates it from …

If you are a cyclist, France is your country and Provence is perfection. Hannah Reynolds a competitive cyclist and writer and John Walsh a professional biking guide have pooled their shared passion in a new book called France en Vélo – The Ultimate Cycle Journey From Channel to Med – …