Last summer, I had the pleasure of meeting Patricia Sands in person. We met for coffee on a terrace that faced the Promenade des Anglais, in Nice. In reality, the patio may face that direction not that we could see the beach from our table, or over two lanes of …

Occasionally, I get asked what do I enjoy the most about Perfectly Provence? Hands down it is the personal connections forged via this online community of contributors and readers. Some of my favourite moments (to date) include a lady’s lunch in Nice, exchanging recipes and wine pairing ideas with new …

Take a road trip to a world away from lavender-scented fields, perched villages, and candy-coloured shutters. Head to the Camargue! The marshland and brackish waters where the Rhone River finally meets the Mediterranean define Provence’s “wild west.” Created in 1986, the natural wetland preserve is 100,000 hectares in size (read …

Understanding the Cowboys of Provence Summer days in Provence are bathed in sunshine and surrounded by a chorus of cicadas. In the Bouches du Rhone, the blinding blue skies and the sweltering heat are also prime time for village festivals surrounding horse and bull events. These horsemen and women are …

According to Wikipedia, York, Pennsylvania is known as the White Rose City a place with so many well-preserved buildings that it is considered an “architectural museum.” Marjorie Williams has recently published her second book Markets of Provence we asked her how growing up in York gave her an appreciation for shopping …

In 2003, Clément Demontis first arrived in Avignon; to attend l’Université d’Avignon. Clément followed his undergraduate studies (history and geography) with a Master’s degree in history, so he is well qualified to share the city’s historical facts. Avignon Authentic Stories, Clément’s tour company, launched in 2014 (first tours in 2015). …

It is too bad that some visitors shy away from France’s second biggest port, scared off by Marseille’s somewhat edgy reputation. In the past, they might have been right, but now it would be a crying shame to miss the museums and the shopping in Marseille. When you go this …

La Petite Maison in Cucuron offers a range of fun cooking classes finished off with a beautiful meal. Trust me you will not need to eat dinner afterwards. The classes are reasonable at 70Euros (2016 pricing). This rate includes about 2.5 hours of cooking time where you are expected to put on an …

Provence is filled with dining possibilities from picnics to Michelin-starred tables. The good news is it is hard to get a bad meal if you follow your nose and a few ground rules. Cafés offer table service for coffee and other beverages (think rosé and pastis) throughout the day. Cafés are typically open …

Depending on your perspective the tiny village of Aureille, on the southern slopes of the Alpilles, is either old-school Provence at its best or way too sleepy. If this part of Provence were America’s wild west, Aureille might be described as a “one horse town.” There are two main roads, …