After a complicated process that took eight long years, on February 12, 2025, the European Commission granted the Melon de Cavaillon its coveted IGP designation. IGP laws (Indication Géographique Protégée) mean that only products from a certain geographic area, following strict rules, can carry the label. It guarantees quality and …

What was Provence really like in the days of Vincent van Gogh? Vincent Van Gogh spent two years in Provence, first in Arles and then at a mental asylum called Saint-Paul le Mausole in St-Rémy-de-Provence. His time in Provence was remarkably productive, with an output of over 200 paintings, including …

My wife and I live part of the year in St-Rémy-de-Provence, a charming town between Avignon and Marseille. We love to hike, bike, and go on picnics, and we especially love beautiful views in Provence—a place with so many! Here are a few of our favourite places for views, including …

It’s one of the prettiest towns on France’s Mediterranean coast and one of the country’s sunniest. But while international tourists flock to places like Nice, Antibes, and St-Tropez, lovely little Sanary-sur-Mer remains relatively undiscovered. Sanary, as the locals call it, was founded as a fishing village in the 16th century. …

Nestled among vineyards near the village of Gigondas sits Notre Dame des Pallières, a family-run winery specializing in the wines of the southern Rhône. It should be a stop for anyone who loves the robust, long-lived wines of this part of France. Gigondas is sometimes described as the little brother …

A unique photo exhibition will be shown in Aix-en-Provence to celebrate the 80th anniversary of the city’s liberation on August 21, 1944. Called Ombres et Lumières (Shadows and Light), it traces the history of Aix between 1930 and 1950, with particular emphasis on the war years. The show, organized by …

Imagine sitting in a comfortable seat in an ancient Roman city with a mountain rising behind it. As the sun sets, and you can see thousands of candles among the ruins, perched on stone walls, stairs, and fallen columns. As the sky darkens, the candles begin to glow. Then, a …

My wife and I recently enjoyed lunch at La Pergola in Niolon, one of our favourite restaurants. And we found an easy way to get there: by train. Provence’s Côte Bleue Niolon is a lovely little seaside village five miles from L’Estaque, the westernmost neighbourhood of Marseille. And even though …

Carrières des Lumières, the fabulous immersive art show held inside a giant cavern near Les Baux-de-Provence, usually features a significant artist like Vincent van Gogh or Paul Cézanne. Works by the artist are displayed along with music in a brilliant choreography. But this year, the organizers decided to do something …

There is an excellent small museum in the Alpilles village of Saint-Andiol. The museum’s archive recounts the life of World War II hero Jean Moulin, and it is well worth a visit. For those unfamiliar with him, Jean Moulin is the man who unified the French Resistance before being captured …