It’s hard to compete with a long list of magnificent, historically significant gardens in a country that includes gardens built for French royalty. The Palace of Versailles and its immaculate grounds are on your list of must-sees in Paris. Then there are the Jardins du Château de Fontainebleau south of …

Cavaillon is a good-sized city east of the Durance River in Provence with a deep history linked to local agriculture. Most visitors drive straight through Cavaillon on their way to the Luberon’s perched villages and Vaucluse towns, vineyards, and lavender fields without stopping, which is a shame. Cavaillon has lots …

The best thing about salads is their versatility. Some salads are delicate and meant to be eaten right away, and others are well-suited for transport to, say, a picnic or a potluck; some versions taste even better the following day. While many salads are typically cold or at room temperature, …

We almost always visit Avignon a few days after we arrive in Provence. Our home in Sablet (available for holiday rentals) is only about 40 kilometres away, so it’s a quick drive. The old part of Avignon is enclosed within ancient walls along the Rhone River. The largest town in …

Stunning is the only way to describe Rosa Jackson’s cookbook Niçoise: Market-Inspired Cooking from France’s Sunniest City. Filled with over 100 recipes, this beautiful book salutes the simplicity of Nice’s traditional cuisine. Niçoise is more than a cookbook, cracking open the window into life in Nice through the seasons. The …

If you are looking for an excellent place to lunch in Châteauneuf-du-Pape, go to Le Comptoir de la Mere Germaine. Châteauneuf-du-Pape is a small medieval village about 30 km from our home in Sablet (available for holiday rental). The town spreads out on the hillside at the foot of the …

April 15, 2019, is seared in our minds as the day we watched images of Notre Dame de Paris in flames with a mix of horror and terrific sadness. Once the Paris Fire Brigade extinguished the flames and saved the rest of the cathedral from complete disaster. The fire started …

Lavender’s intoxicating fragrance is like a journey into a perfume bottle. So why not take that into the kitchen? The herb is a member of the mint family, and specifically grown culinary lavender is edible and adds a unique flavour to baked goods, desserts, and savoury dishes. The important thing …

On July 14, 1789, an angry mob stormed the Bastille in Paris, which housed only seven inmates. To an enraged crowd, the medieval structure represented a landmark symbolizing their frustration with the reigning monarchy, a weak economic environment, high taxes and a lack of personal financial control. This milestone event …

After 20 years of experience working in the finest restaurants worldwide, 35-year-old French Pastry Chef Nicolas Dolbeau decided to start his project. Thanks to the support of his wife, Sophie, he created his company, bringing the art of pastry making to his home. Meeting French Pastry Chef Nicolas Dolbeau When …