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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Chateau Romanin Vineyard Alpilles
ExploreKeith Van SickleVillages Towns and Cities

Our 7 Favourite Villages and Vineyards of the Alpilles

Les Alpilles are a small mountain range in Provence, about 20 minutes south of the papal city of Avignon. These mountains and the surrounding countryside are dotted with charming villages and rolling vineyards, the perfect place to spend a few days. My wife and I live part of the year …

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Market strawberries Spend Day St-Rémy-de-Provence Market
ExploreKeith Van SickleVillages Towns and Cities

How to Spend a Day in St-Rémy-de-Provence

Lucky you, you’re coming to St-Rémy-de-Provence! But you only have one day to see the sights—what should you do? I’m here to help! My wife and I live part of the year in St-Rémy, so let me give you some ideas. The Best Market St-Rémy has one of the best …

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Pagnol Garlaban GNU Guillaume de clermont 60 Writer Marcel Pagnol Provence
Books on ProvenceInspireKeith Van Sickle

Explore Works by Writer Marcel Pagnol in Provence

“I was born in the town of Aubagne, under the Garlaban crowned with goats, in the days of the last goatherds.” ~ Marcel Pagnol Writer Marcel Pagnol So begins the memoir of Marcel Pagnol, the master storyteller of Provence. If you ask someone which author comes to mind when they …

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St Remy Lavender
Expat Living and Real EstateKeith Van SickleLiving in Provence

Living in Provence Getting Deep Into Local Culture

Living Part-time in Provence My wife and I live part of the year in St-Rémy and it’s been fun to get to know the place. One way we’ve done it is through local associations, which are groups organized around a common interest. Associations are popular in France and every town …

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Valensole Lavender Provence Highlights Trip Planning
ExploreKeith Van Sickle

The Questions Americans Ask About Provence

Google knows a lot about us, A LOT. We ask it billions of questions and it keeps track of every one of them, constantly tallying what we really want to know. For example, a few of the top questions that Americans asked last year were, “Where is my refund?” (tax …

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Mas de Gorgonnier Wines of Provence Les Alpilles Les Baux de Provence Photo by Herve FABRE
Keith Van SickleTasteWines and Spirits of Provence

Top Picks for Provencal Wines We Love

My wife and I live part of the year in St-Rémy-de-Provence and we love all the great local wines. They come in any colour you like—red, white, and pink—and range from inexpensive quaffers to bottles you’d be proud to serve to anyone. Our Top Provencal Wines Over time we’ve visited …

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Nîmes Roman History Highlights Arena and Nimes Musée de la Romanité
ExploreKeith Van SickleRoad Trips South of France

A Road Trip to Nîmes for Roman History Highlights

Nîmes Road Trip Just west of Provence, across the mighty Rhône River, lays the Gard department of France. The Gard and Provence share a deep Roman history, from the days when both were part of the Roman region of Gallia. Because it is so close to Provence, a visit to …

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