Download Our Winter Menu Collection

Featuring 25 recipes from the South of France for winter weather, along with menu suggestions, all designed to make your cooking experience enjoyable. Download this PDF, which includes recipes for starters, main courses, side dishes, and desserts.

 David Taylor

It took just one holiday in the Luberon in 2003 for David and Karen Taylor to fall in love with Provence. This lead to owning a village house in Saint Saturnin les Apt - a holiday home. However, after just a few visits they took the radical step of leaving home and work in Surrey, England.

The plan was to take a year off to explore Provence and learn French. However, after just a few months a challenge of a different sort presented itself - property. It was a piece of land in a wonderful authentic Provencal village in the Luberon and they set about planning and building two houses and gites over a two year period.

Today David and Karen have a three bedroom villa with private pool, two gites and a chambre d'hôte room with a shared pool. Now (2015) they are approaching their 7th season with 50% repeat guests, for a season that starts at Easter and runs to mid-October.

When not carrying out work duties the couple continues to explore the endless beautiful Provencal villages and towns. Recording their visits in photographs and sampling great food & scenery.

Their blog began in 2006 as a way for friends and family to follow our adventures it is now a great resource for anyone interested in Provence.

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Artists Inspired by Provence · Carolyne Kauser-Abbott · Inspire

Creative Inspiration in Provence: Visit an Artist’s Studio in the Alpilles

March 6, 2026
Meeting Ashley Tinker was a chance encounter. I had nine girlfriends visit Provence from Calgary, Alberta — yes, nine! It was crazy and fun. Ashley and her now husband, Robin, were caretakers at the rental. At that time, Ashley, a creative person, had just launched her blog “Curious Provence.” We try to visit her studio …
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Carolyne Kauser-Abbott · Expat Living and Real Estate

What France’s Tous Responsables Means – And Why It Matters to You

March 4, 2026
Whether you live in France full-time, part-time, or are just visiting, knowing how to respond to emergencies is essential. The French government’s Tous Responsables initiative promotes resilience and crisis preparedness, guiding citizens on their roles in managing emergencies. It emphasizes active participation in safety efforts. Below are the key highlights of this program. What is …
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Caroline Longstaffe · Explore · Villages Towns and Cities

Exploring the Haute-Alpes de Provence: A Rich History and Stunning Landscapes

February 27, 2026
Did you know that not far from the beaches, shopping, and glitz of the French Riviera is another world? The Southern Alps are a relatively short drive from the Côte d’Azur city of Nice. These mountains offer plenty of options for outdoor enthusiasts, including skiing, hiking, cycling, and incredible sightseeing. However, even Caroline Longstaff, a …
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Carolyne Kauser-Abbott · French Decor & Gardens · Inspire

Discover the Stunning Art Deco Architecture of Aix-en-Provence

February 23, 2026
What is the typical architecture of Aix-en-Provence? It’s a mix of architectural styles, including Roman, Romanesque, Gothic, Haussmann style, and contemporary. The city has a rich history reflected in its architectural elements, ranging from Roman baths and Gothic churches to the organized grid pattern of the 17th-century Quartier Mazarin. Yet it might be surprising to …
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François de Mélogue · Lamb · Main Course · Provencal Recipes

Moussaka d’Aubergines: A Layered History, Cooked the Provençal Way

February 18, 2026
In the long history of Mediterranean cooking, few dishes carry as much history or as many revisions as moussaka d’aubergines. Though it is most closely associated with Greece today, its roots reach further east, into the Arab world. The name comes from the Arabic musaqqā‘a, meaning “moistened,” and originally referred to a dish of eggplant …
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