Download Our Winter Menu Collection

Featuring 25 recipes from the South of France for winter weather, along with menu suggestions, all designed to make your cooking experience enjoyable. Download this PDF, which includes recipes for starters, main courses, side dishes, and desserts.

 Stephanie Villegas

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Born in San Francisco, California, Stephanie Villegas is a chef working and living in Provence. After a decade-long career in tech, Stephanie decided to follow her culinary passions and become a chef. She earned her culinary diploma at France's esteemed Ferrandi Paris and has worked in renowned restaurant kitchens from Paris to Provence. In 2022, she opened Laurel, a cooking school and private chef service located in the charming provençal village of Fontvieille.

With a mission to bring people closer together through food, her focus is on freshness and seasonality. As a Mexican-American, married to a Frenchman, living in Provence, you can be sure to find inspirations from around the world in her dishes.

On her table, you'll find ingredients you know, discover new ones and enjoy generous dishes of refined simplicity.

Explore Laurel here.

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Explore · Learning French · Villages Towns and Cities · Virginie Van Der Wees

Le Château d’If à Marseille, rendu célèbre par le Comte de Monte-Cristo

February 6, 2026
Saviez-vous qu’à quelques minutes en bateau de Marseille se trouve un archipel d’îles ? L’archipel des Îles de Frioul compte quatre îles et des navettes partent régulièrement du Vieux-Port pendant les mois d’été. Vous pouvez facilement passer une journée à faire de la randonnée sur les sentiers ou à vous prélasser sur les plages de …
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Deborah Pham van Xua · Expat Living and Real Estate · Inspire · Learning French

Learning to Belong in Provence and Speaking French

February 4, 2026
Are you planning a trip to France or a relocation? Did you take French classes in high school or university, and have not spoken since? While there is no requirement to speak French when you are visiting France, language can often strengthen connections. In my interview with Carolyne Kauser-Abbott, we talked about living in Provence, …
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Carolyne Kauser-Abbott · Provencal Recipes · Side Dish · Taste

Black Truffle Risotto – Risotto à la truffe tuber brumale

January 30, 2026
France produces approximately half of the world’s black truffles, primarily from Provence. Because they are difficult to farm, truffle hunters and their hounds forage for them in nature among the roots of trees like oak, hazel, and chestnut. Traditionally, pigs with their keen sense of smell were used to find these delicacies, though today hounds …
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Books on Provence · Carolyne Kauser-Abbott · Inspire

An Insider’s Guide to Provence (2026 Update) by Keith Van Sickle

January 26, 2026
In 2021, Keith Van Sickle published An Insider’s Guide to Provence, and he has now released an updated edition. This book serves as a supplementary reference material rather than a traditional guidebook. Comprehensive travel guides, such as those from Fodor’s, Lonely Planet, and Rick Steves, cover all aspects of travel, including accommodations in Provence. However, …
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Carolyne Kauser-Abbott · Inspire · Learning French · Living in Provence

Feel Good French: Navigating New Beginnings with Déborah Pham van Xua

January 19, 2026
Deep in the heart of France, Déborah Pham van Xua is transforming how individuals over 50 and retirees embrace new beginnings through language. Her program, Feel Good French, opens doors to a more connected, fulfilling life by breaking down language barriers with empathy and expertise. In a recent conversation, Déborah and I discussed my own …
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