Contributor blog post by Ashley Tinker: There are many events this month including the Fête de la Saint Eloi. Saint Eloi is the patron saint of metalworkers, blacksmiths, cart drivers and craftsmen of all kinds. He is a particularly favourite saint here in les Alpilles. The Fête is normally transferred to the end …

A Culinary School in Uzès Recently I attended a Provençal desserts class at the Cook’n with Class Uzès school. Cook’n with Class Uzès is a culinary school specialising in day classes of Provencal and Mediterranean cuisine. It is the sister culinary school to Cook’n with Class Paris. Chef Eric Fraudeau …

Contributor blog post by Ashley Tinker: Do you know about the sardine that blocked the port of Marseille? As I was perusing local postcards at a local flea market in Provence, I came across a curious image. The postcard depicts an enormous sardine blocking the port of Marseille. The seller, taking …

Contributor blog post by Ashley Tinker: Sure the markets in Provence are tempting, but… Are you curious about in the ins and outs of working in a market in Provence? Do you want to taste the best Provencal ingredients and find out how they’re made? Would you like to eat breakfast at …

Completing a DIY home renovation in Provence is not necessarily for every couple. Ashley and Robin made their house transformation look easy. Now, with some time on their hands, they can enjoy their kitchen and entertain friends. This recipe for seared sea scallops on a cauliflower purée could be served …

Deciding to make dinner for a large group takes courage. Deciding to create a menu based around a tradition Provencal fish soup, and making the whole thing from scratch is just a little bit crazy, but the results are delicious. Chefs in France take their trade seriously, so it is not surprising that a Marseille -based group decided that this iconic dish required some specific ingredients and serving methodology, hence the Bouillabaisse Charter. A real Marseille bouillabaisse

By Jane Dunning for Curious Provence: Visiting the Côte d’Azur I’ve stayed in over twenty places in Provence, from Menton in the east to Cassis in the west and Orange in the north and, I confess, it’s my favourite region in the whole of France. It’s also the setting for …

Contributor blog post by Ashley Tinker: May I brag for a moment? Just look at how beautiful these landscapes are, even at this time of year. Most of these pictures were taken with my phone, as many were impromptu pit spots on the side of the road. I’ve noticed a sudden …

On the 1st of May, make sure to visit the celebrations in Arles where the Fête des Gardians takes over the city. Worth a visit! You may even see the queen of les Arlesiennes. This is the month of public holidays in France. Make sure to be aware of store closings. I would …

Flamingos in Provence Did you know that we have a lot of pink flamingos in Provence? It’s not something that one would associate with the place of hilltop towns, olives, almonds, sunflowers, and lavender but that is my favourite thing about this region- it’s diversity. From our location in Provence, close to St …