‘BACK TO THE FUTURE’ is the theme for the 49th Rencontres d’Arles photography exhibition. ‘This year, you are invited to cross space and time with a breathtaking, celestial journey across the ages. Photography is often the best-placed medium for registering all the shocks that remind us the world is changing, sometimes right …

Did you know Marseille has France’s oldest quincaillerie or hardware shop? It really is a must-visit if you are interested in traditional Provencal life. Take the magnificent big hand-graters, for instance – just the sort of gadget used in café kitchens many years ago to churn out carrots and cabbage …

“In your very comprehensive survey of Aix restaurants, I couldn’t find any mention of House of Cookies, rue Boulegon (but maybe it’s just my mistake!) It’s a lovely place, American vintage-oriented, and the owner, Laetitia, makes the best scones/muffins/ cookies/pancakes in Aix (she makes the cakes for Book in Bar!) You …

The Office du Tourisme at Gardanne is offering a day-trip to Monaco on Saturday 19th May.  It’s an early start, 7:15, but then it’s quite a drive.  Once there, there’s an organised trip round the Musée Océanographique and also the Palais Princier, followed by free time. 86 euros. Details on …

The new fraises garriguettes have arrived in Aix, and my goodness, are they good! Some years ago, La Provence published a recipe for a tiramisu with raspberries but I’ve found strawberries are just as delicious, and this is now a firm favourite. Tiramisu aux Fraises Ingredients: 250g strawberries, sliced 250g …

Visitors to Marseille will soon be able to whisk from the Vieux Port up to Notre Dame de la Garde by cable car in just six minutes. The contract has been won by Systra, part of SNCF, who will start work in October. It’s expected that 2 million people a …

Having just returned to Aix after some weeks away, my second shock (after seeing the excavations in front of the Palais de Justice being filled in – inevitable I know) was to see the gaps in the Cours Mirabeau where plane trees had been. I had read about the ‘chancre …

Just announced, an exhibition of the work of Ai Weiwei, opening at MuCEM on June 20th in Marseille. Having seen his show at the Royal Academy in London last year, I expect it will be stimulating and baffling…but unmissable.  According to MuCEM, they will be adding objects from their permanent …

My new book, “Art in the South of France: The Inside Story,” will be launched this week. It is a journey across from ancient sun-drenched Arles through Saint-Tropez and Saint Paul-de-Vence to the Italianate beauty of Menton, following the artists who flocked south to the area where their creativity flourished …

It was Renoir’s birthday on February 25th, which has prompted me to write a little about his final home at Cagnes-sur-Mer, now the Musée Renoir. It’s easily do-able from Aix and a must once this wave of cold weather has ended. A sunny day is ideal as the views from his …