Peter Mayle certainly started something back in 1989 when he published A Year in Provence. What a best-seller that turned out to be, and it launched a whole genre of ‘newcomer-to-Provence-buys-old-house/olive-grove books that document the inevitable cultural differences that we all bump up against. Is there anything more to be said? Continue …

Visitors to Marseille’s MuCEM or the Musée Regards de Provence can eat in either venue, or may like to wander along the main road a little to try Les Halles de la Major which is in the vaults tucked underneath the magnificent 19th century cathedral. Visitor’s Guide to Marseille This …

He is not an artist I had ever heard of, but I came away impressed by this discovery courtesy of the Musée Regards de Provence. Joseph Inguimberty was born in Marseille back in 1896. Here, one of his early works captured the scenes in the docks of his home town. …

Sixty paintings by Alfred Sisley (1839-1899) went on show June 10th in Aix at the Caumont Centre d’Art’s summer show. The painter, was born to English parents in Paris, hasn’t been the subject of a retrospective since 2002. Forty per cent of this show includes paintings from private collections not seen in public before.…Continue reading …

A room dedicated to Sandro Botticelli at Avignon’s Petit Palais was inaugurated in April following the Louvre’s decision to send the artist’s ‘Venus aux Trois Putti’ south to join the existing Madonna and Child. This permanent display also incorporates work from Botticelli’s pupils. The collection at the Petit Palais is astonishing …

It’s hard to believe that Parc de la Torse is just a 10-minute walk from the Cours Mirabeau in Aix-en-Provence. The Torse Park is a wonderful natural area that follows the little river from Route de Cézanne down to Route de Nice. There are ancient plane trees for shade and …

The Musée Bonnard over in Le Cannet (just north of Cannes) is the only museum dedicated to Pierre Bonnard in the world. Visiting his paintings lets you see the world through his eyes, a celebration of joyful colour from the yellow mimosa in his beloved garden down to the sparkling …

This week sees a new expo at MAC, Marseille’s Museum of Contemporary Art. Hip-Hop started in the South Bronx, where, surrounded by economic deprivation, the young generation developed creative ways to party, dance, paint the urban environment and challenge the establishment. It spread, district by district, across New York, animating …

The ‘Atelier Ombres et Lumieres‘ at Les Milles is run by Murielle Moutel, an innovative artist and teacher. I enjoy going to a weekly class there, and I personally recommend signing up for one of her summer courses, which are taking place in July. Visit this studio, whether you are …

Sunday is an ideal time to visit Toulon as the traffic is lighter, it’s easier to park, and the market is in full swing. It’s a good market, with the top part being North African stalls, leading down to the fruit and veg section and ending in clothes near the …