Happy, Healthy Holidays to all! It’s time to wish all our readers the best for this joyful season. However, before we head out on a technology break, we want to acknowledge all our terrific contributors and partners. As an Amazon Associate, the site earns from qualifying purchases. If you purchase …

Winter in Provence unveils a serene, understated beauty. The villages quiet down—tourists have departed, fields lie fallow, and root vegetables are tucked away in cool, shadowy cellars. The land rests after autumn’s final harvest while the frost-kissed garrigue glimmers in the winter light. Tendrils of smoke curl from chimneys as …

Do particular foods make you think of the holiday season? For me, the appearance of cranberries in the supermarket is a sure sign that Thanksgiving and Christmas festivities are around the corner. The cranberry tart recipe below is from Moulin Castelas, a beautiful olive plantation and mill near Les Baux …

Wow is the word for Notre Dame de la Menour, 800m high in the wild mountains inland from the Riviera coast. It began as a Romanesque chapel linked to the defensive walls—you can see the nearby ruins. The chapel was rebuilt in the 17th century and oriented correctly to the …

St Francis and the Provencal Creche The traditional French nativity scene that represents the story of the birth of Jesus is essentially a Provençal tradition, but it has a long history that began in Italy. In 1223, in Greccio, St. Francis of Assisi is said to have created the first …

Since December is a festive and somewhat decadent time, I made a wreath with a series of mini meringues. Once the meringues were made and decorated, I combined them into a larger wreath shape. The result was a delicious edible pavlova wreath with “pull-away” meringues. While this recipe has a …

David joined Virginie and her family for a French immersion homestay in July. He wanted to incorporate some sporty challenges while learning French so Virginie suggested hiking to the summit of Mont Sainte Victoire. David wrote the following bilingual text as an exercise to test his written French. Find out …

When you find yourself on the stunning Côte d’Azur, set aside a day to explore the enchanting town of Grasse, renowned as the perfume capital since the 18th century. Nestled between the mountains and the Mediterranean Sea, this picturesque region boasts the perfect climate for cultivating fragrant flowers essential for …

Are you shopping for book lovers? Here is our 2024 holiday gift guide for books from Provence for those on your list who love reading, travelling, and dreaming of France. These books are for anyone who wants a literary “dose” of Provence. 2024 Holiday Gift Guide Books Whether you have …

Winter Festivals and Events in Provence So many images of the Provence and the Côte d’Azur are summer scenes with ribbons of blooming lavender fields, glasses of rosé with beads of condensation, and beautiful people in straw hats enjoying their holidays. Perhaps wintertime in Provence garners less attention, but it’s …