New shows open in Arles and at the Carrières de Lumières at Les Baux at the beginning of March. Starting with the Fondation Van Gogh, it is a pleasure to see that they will have 8 of his paintings on show, starting 4th March. ‘Calm and Exultation, Van Gogh in …

I have to confess driving round/past/through Gardanne several times but never stopping to have a look round. We did, this week, and found it interesting. It wasn’t a good start as the tourist office was shut. We had checked the opening hours on the website but when we got there, …

Musée Regards de Provence in Marseille is a delightful gallery celebrates local artists who are very often new to me and so a visit is quite an adventure of discovery. The latest expo is dedicated to designer, painter and sculptor Quirin Mayer (1927 – ) whose work is balanced, colourful …

In 2007, John Maloof, a local historian in Chicago, came across some boxes of photos and negatives depicting Chicago in the 60’s at an auction house. Unable to thoroughly examine its contents, he took a gamble and purchased the box for around $400. He found nothing relevant for the history …

Mougins is a picture-perfect centuries-old hilltop village. Constructed like a spiral with ancient passageways lined with stone houses, it is now a magnet for craftspeople, artists and high-class restaurateurs. But there’s an additional reason for visiting the village and that’s the Musée d’Art Classique de Mougins. This is one of …

If you haven’t visited Saint-Maximin, this Sunday (29th January) is an excellent time to do so as it is the Fete de la Saint Vincent, when the local vignerons celebrate their patron saint. Sixty-five of them will gather to thank their saint for the last harvest and implore his protection …

If only the authors of guidebooks who drool over Provencal markets with such glowing, romantic prose could witness the scene today! The few brave traders in the Cours Mirabeau were packing up by 11, such was the wind; but this unlucky one didn’t strike camp fast enough. Estate agents’ publicity …

…but we have to wait until 2018. The rumours were finally confirmed December 5 that the Paul Ricard circuit would be holding the event. It’s the first time the Grand Prix has been held in France since 2008, when it was last hosted at Magny-Cours in Nevers. And 26 years …

December 3rd was the launch of a show of illustrations by the amazingly talented René Gruau who worked for major fashion and style publications during his long and creative life. There was a big expo of his work in London a couple of years ago and his skill at drawing The …

Next year’s theme for the popular son-et-lumiere show at Carrieres de Lumiere at Les Baux de Provence is…‘Bosch, Breughel, Arcimboldo from the fantastic to the wonderful’. ‘This show explores the fantastic and wonderful world painted by the 16th-century artists. The first part of this journey is dedicated to Hieronymus Bosch …