Just below the famous hilltop fortress of Les Baux sits the boutique luxury hotel Benvengudo.  The name means “welcome” in the local language and it couldn’t be more appropriate. Walking into the manicured grounds of Benvengudo is like stepping back in time, to a more simple and gracious era.  The …

Contributor blog post by Keith Van Sickle: One of the glories of Provence is the fresh produce. And in St.-Rémy, the best place to get it is at the Wednesday market. Every week, dozens of vendors set up shop throughout the charming town center, selling fruits, vegetables, olives, cheeses, lavender …

Discover another Le Thor artist: James Jaulin spent decades as an antiquaire (a dealer in antiquities) traveling the world in search of rare and beautiful treasures.  He now travels the world as a photographer, capturing the beauty of life through his lens. So what does he consider himself to be …

Val and I are back in France for the spring, in St-Rémy-de-Provence. One of the things we enjoy most about this area is biking. St-Rémy is right next to the Alpilles, a low mountain range with rocky outcroppings. Well, to call the Alpilles “mountains” is a bit of a stretch, …

When is the last time you said to yourself, “I could really go for a gluten-free meal”? That would probably be…never.  Who wants bread with the consistency of a hockey puck?  Or pasta that needs a mountain of sauce to make it edible?  And as for cakes and pies – …

Christian Detaux always wanted to be an artist.  For as long as he can remember, he’s been drawing and painting and shaping forms. At the age of 16, Detaux applied to the prestigious “Ecole des Beaux Arts” in Paris, ready to embark on a career as an artist.  But then he …

Contributor blog post by Keith Sickle: Thinking of visiting Provence, the land of glorious lavender fields and charming hilltop villages?  Good for you! But planning a trip to a new destination can be challenging. Where do you begin? What you need is a Provence Starter Kit!  And here it is. …

There was a very interesting talk in St.-Rémy-de-Provence the other night, about women in the French Resistance.  It focused particular attention on St.-Rémy, where I live part of the year. The talk was organized by the local historical society and featured two historians who specialize in the subject.  The event …

Want to taste some of the world’s greatest wines for just 10 euro?  Then come to the Salon des Vins in Châteauneuf-du-Pape. The 8th annual Salon takes place on on Saturday and Sunday, April 8 and 9, 2017.  It’s an opportunity to taste some fabulous wines in a relaxed setting. …

Contributor blog post by Keith Van Sickle: What to see and do with a week in Provence? Here is a 7-day itinerary that covers a mix of historical sites, hilltop villages, and local markets. You can stay in one spot and make day trips to each of these towns. A …