Download Our Spring Menu Collection

This seasonal collection features 19 recipes, including starters, main courses, side dishes, and desserts. Featuring seasonal ingredients such as artichokes, asparagus, lamb, and strawberries. Download this PDF, which includes for recipes for entertaining at this time of the year.

 David Scott Allen

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David Scott Allen is the author, photographer, and cook behind Cocoa & Lavender, a weekly food blog based in Tucson, Arizona. Passionate about travel, he especially enjoys eating traditional foods and learning local customs, whether in the United States or around the globe.

David's first trip to France took place when he was 14, and he returned as often as possible thereafter. However, it wasn't until his 50th birthday that he finally made it south to Provence. The beauty, history, charm, warmth, cuisine, and - of course - the rosé wines captured his heart. He shares his Provençal recipes here on Perfectly Provence, and his food and wine pairings monthly on the Provence WineZine.

David is a firm believer that sharing a meal with friends around the table is one of life's greatest pleasures. And if it happens to be in Provence, all the better!

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Carolyne Kauser-Abbott · Explore · Villages Towns and Cities

The Reasons Why Visitors Choose Avignon, France, and Some Stay Longer

May 11, 2026
Maureen Steinberg grew up amid the sun-soaked energy of Southern California, spending years in the lively sprawl of Los Angeles. In 2020, she set out for something entirely new, trading LA’s endless buzz for Avignon’s gentle rhythms, a picturesque gem in France. That leap from the West Coast’s largest city to Avignon’s charm must have …
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Books on Provence · Carolyne Kauser-Abbott · Inspire

Author Jérémy Lastavel Reveals How Photos are Powerful Historical Echos

May 8, 2026
When Jérémy Lastavel invited us to explore his latest coffee table book, L’Écho des Siècles St-Paul de Vence, we were curious, not knowing what wonders awaited within. The book surprised us with its vivid portrayal of Provencal history, woven together through bilingual storytelling and mesmerizing digital imagery. Each photograph transported us, page by page, as …
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Carolyne Kauser-Abbott · Hotels Provence & Cote d'Azur · Stay: Accommodation & Rentals in Provence

A New Chapter in Provence: The Reopening of Mas de Guilles in Lourmarin

May 4, 2026
Tucked into the rolling hills of the Luberon Valley, the newly restored Mas de Guilles invites discerning travellers to indulge in a luxurious retreat. Surrounded by the breathtaking Provençal countryside, this boutique hotel reopened its doors in Lourmarin this spring, unveiling a seamless blend of historic allure and contemporary four-star sophistication. “A hidden gem, where …
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Carolyne Kauser-Abbott · Explore · Guided Holiday Tours

What is the TripUSAFrance Tour Difference? Founder Julia Shares Her Story

May 1, 2026
Julia Girard-Gervois leads TripUSAFrance, a boutique travel agency she founded in 2015 alongside her parents in France. Their vision is simple: invite guests to discover southern France as locals do, with warmth and genuine connection. From April through September, they run tours in Normandy and Southern France. The TripUSAFrance tour group sizes are small to …
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Keith Van Sickle · Local Food Producers · Taste · Wines and Spirits of Provence

Distillery Tasting Room Enjoying the Flavours of Provence in the Alpilles

April 27, 2026
Last year, noted St-Rémy restaurateurs Julien and Émilie Martinat decided to embark on a new adventure. They sold their restaurant and started a distillery dedicated to the flavors of Provence. Their Distillerie des Alpilles (the Alpilles are a local mountain range) launched its first product in June, a thirst-quenching pastis with local flavours like thyme …
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