Discover Underwater Museum Marseille nereides 2
Artists Inspired by ProvenceInspireKeith Van Sickle

Discover the Underwater Museum of Marseille

Statues have graced the world for thousands of years, in cathedrals, museums, and sculpture gardens. But now visitors to Marseille will be able to enjoy them in a new location—underwater. The Underwater Museum of Marseille (Musée Subaquatique de Marseille) recently opened its doors, so to speak, with ten newly-created sculptures …

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Villa Benkemoun Architecture Arles © Serge Benkemoun
French Decor & GardensInspireKeith Van Sickle

Villa Benkemoun Swirling 70s Architecture in Arles

Just four kilometres from the center of Arles sits the Villa Benkemoun, a magnificent estate designed by a disciple of the famous Swiss architect Le Corbusier. Visiting it is like stepping back in time. The villa was the brainchild of Simone and Pierre Benkemoun, a couple that moved from Algeria …

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Nice's Cathedral Russian France
InspireKeith Van SickleProvencal History & Traditions

Nice’s Cathedral the Most Russian Spot in France

There are so many fun things to do in Nice—you can walk along the Promenade des Anglais, enjoy the view from one of those famous blue chairs, and dig into a salade niçoise at a café in the Old Town. Now here’s one to add to your list: visit the …

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Hilltop Villages Côte d'Azur Gourdon, The Eagle’s Nest
ExploreKeith Van SickleVillages Towns and Cities

Hilltop Villages to See the Côte d’Azur Hinterlands

When most people think of the Côte d’Azur, they think of glamorous spots like Cannes, Antibes, and Nice—beautiful cities, all of them. But this glorious corner of France is also home to charming inland villages that are well worth a visit. Let’s look at a few. Gourdon, The Eagle’s Nest …

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Col de la Bonette
ExploreKeith Van SickleRoad Trips South of France

Is Col de la Bonette the Highest Road In Europe?

In the easternmost part of Provence, near the border with Italy, lies the wild and rugged Mercantour National Park. It is famous for its natural beauty, its Bronze Age stone carvings and its growing population of grey wolves. It is also home to the Route de la Bonette, a road …

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Monaco City View at Night
InspireKeith Van Sickle

Movies and Hollywood Glamour in Monaco

Monaco is a small country with a big reputation. Surrounded by France, it sits just a few miles from the city of Nice on the French Riviera. Monaco is famous for its Monte Carlo Casino, its annual Formula One race, and the elegance of the late Princess Grace. The principality’s …

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Provence Celebrity Rosé Wines Miraval
Keith Van SickleTasteWines and Spirits of Provence

Celebrity Rosé Wines of Provence

American rapper Post Malone has just become the latest celebrity to introduce a rosé wine from Provence. Rosé + Provence + Celebrity seems to be a thing these days. As Malone puts it, “Rosé is for when you want to get a little fancy.” Let’s take a look at some …

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Summer Menu from Provence 2020
Keith Van SickleProvencal RecipesSeasonal MenusTaste

My Summer Menu from Provence

Enjoy the Relaxed Season Summer is a wonderful time of year in Provence, with blue skies everywhere and brilliant sunflowers and lavender in bloom. My favourite time of day is the early evening when the heat of the day is past and you can look forward to a long, lazy …

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Molinari sardine Two Famous Marseille Expressions
InspireKeith Van SickleProvencal History & Traditions

Two Famous Marseille Expressions

“C’est la sardine qui a bouché le port de Marseille!” (A sardine blocked Marseille’s port!) This local saying is famous throughout France. Another that is less well-known is “Chercher Molinari” (look for Molinari). Both expressions, curiously, come from the same famous disaster that took place in the 18th century. The …

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Bring France Life Virtually Murder In Series
InspireKeith Van Sickle

How to Bring French Culture into Your Life Virtually

Oh, to be in France in the spring! My wife and I live part-time in St-Rémy-de-Provence but had to cancel our travel plans this year. Now we are sheltering-in-place and yearning for sunny days in the South of France. But all is not lost! We are still connected to la …

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