pomme d'amour Candy apple Provence
InspireProvencal History & Traditions

How is Valentine’s Day celebrated in France?

How is Valentine’s Day celebrated in France? As it turns out, the day is actually is quite linked to French historical customs.  As far back as the middle ages, the belief was that birds started mating in the middle of February. Evidence from the 14th century, stressed a romantic theme …

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Fontvielle Windmill Provence
Ginger and NutmegInspireProvencal History & Traditions

Fontvieille Stone the Foundation of Provence

Writer Alphonse Daudet described his affection for the town of Fontvieille and its windmills as follows: “Ce coin de roche qui m’etait une patrie et dont on retrouve la trace – êtres ou endroits – dans presque tous mes livres” The translation: This corner of rock was a homeland to …

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Sea Urchins mois de l'oursin Carry le Rouet Cote Bleue @PerfProvence
Markets in Provence and Cote d'AzurTaste

The Sea Urchins of Carry le Rouet

France is a country of foodies with broad ranging tastes. After all would you have thought of pairing foie gras with gingerbread? France is also the place with countless opportunities to try some downright strange things like sea urchins or oursin. On Sundays in February, there is a festival in …

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Soupe au Pistou @ElizabethBard Recipes Provence
Provencal RecipesSoupTaste

Elizabeth Bard’s Version of Soupe au Pistou

This soup is a Provençal classic, practically every every household will have their own variation. This is a perfect autumn recipe from Elizabeth Bard’s latest book Picnic in Provence: A memoir with Recipes.

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Lavender l'Abbaye Notre-Dame de Senanque Provence @ShutrsSunflowrs
Carolyne Kauser-AbbottExploreLocals Travel TipsRoad Trips South of France

Provence Travel Tips from Caroline Longstaffe

Recently, we introduced you to Shutters and Sunflowers, a blog about the Provencal landscape and many other things that inspire Caroline Longstaffe to write. Please read the full story here. The Longstaffe family lived in Provence for about 18 months in 2012-13 and were smitten. We asked Caroline if she …

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Laurianne @toctocMarseille
Carolyne Kauser-AbbottExploreGuided Holiday ToursLocals Travel Tips

Holiday Planning and Guided Tours in Marseille

As France’s second-largest city after Paris, Marseille appears overwhelming with well over 1 million people in the greater metropolitan area (1,831,500 January 2011 census). Marseille has been a port city since 600BC when the Greeks established a trading base in this location. Positioned on the Mediterranean Marseille has long been …

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Perfectly Provence Window #Provence
ExploreGuided Holiday Tours

Touring the World with Untours Travel

Are you interested in independent travel, but don’t want to do all of the required work like research and planning? An “Untour” may work for you. Read what Untours clients can expect, if Untours are suite for couples or families and much more at Ginger and Nutmeg’s blog, on Touring …

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Provence Market Spices Provence Markets
Ginger and NutmegProvencal RecipesTaste

Couscous takes over French Favourites a Recipe

Forget magret de canard and moules frites – couscous served with its savoury slow-cooked stews is popular in French cuisine. It was voted France’s 3rd favourite meal in a study conducted for Vie Pratique Gourmand (2011).  There are references to couscous consumption in France that date as far back as …

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Provence Getaway Gorges du Verdon
Carolyne Kauser-AbbottExploreGuided Holiday Tours

Provence Getaway Gorges du Verdon and Beyond

After several centuries, cascades of turquoise water carved a 20km limestone canyon known as the Gorges du Verdon, which became part of the protected Parc Naturel Régional du Verdon in 1997. The Verdon River flows 166km from its source in the Alps to Lac St Croix engraving the sheer rock …

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Daube Provencale Beef Stew Recipe @PerfProvence
BeefMain CourseProvencal RecipesTaste

Recipe for Daube a Provencale Beef Stew

recipe for daube (beef stew) is similar to beef Bourguignon, but with a Provencal twist, and of course made with wine from Provence. This hearty stew can be made ahead of time, perfect for aprés-ski or other winter activities.

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