Istanbul will be one of the destinations to have increased services in the new winter schedule just announced by Marseille-Provence Airport. There will be a daily flight to Geneva and new destinations include Lisbon, Strasbourg, Jijel (Algeria) and Lanzarote.

‘Centenaire 14-18′ has already begun in Aix. This is a programme to commemorate the centenary of World War 1 – lots of conferences, talks, and a couple of exhibitions. Look out for a 72m fresco, Le Chemin de Mémoire, inaugurated last evening at the Lycée Militaire

Jill Steenhuis is an American painter who loves Cézanne. She lives locally with her family and paints in the master’s footsteps. I love her colourful, impressionist-style work with its exuberant brush-strokes. Read more about Jill Steenhuis, her artistic background and inspiration.

Marseille is changing so so fast. The Terrasses du Port which opened this spring provides a 21st century, glossy, global shopping experience with chic restaurants with white linen-clad tables overlooking la grande bleue. And just steps away, the vaults beneath.

With not one but two Grimaldi babies due at the end of the year, it’ll be all eyes on the Palais Princier de Monaco. Although we have visited Monaco at various times, I hadn’t realised that in fact you can go for a tour inside the palace. Speed though is of …

Marseille has won its bid to become the European Capital of Sport 2017. It was announced yesterday that it had beaten its rival Sofia to become host to an extensive programme of sporting fixtures, building on its experience of being Capital of Culture.

Rubbing shoulders with royalty last evening…but actually to find out more about Queen Yolande, the subject of a book and talk by HRH Princess Michael of Kent. Born in 1380 to the king of Aragon, Yolande was married to the Louis II of the house of Anjou, and ruler.

Virtually every time there are ‘travaux‘ in Aix, the archaeologists who precede the bulldozers unearth Roman pottery, statues, funeral urns, drainage systems and stretches of road. Over the years there have been small displays, but the next exhibition at the Musée Granet.

Next weekend (11th and 12th October) sees the annual Fete de la Courge in Rians in the Var, and it is one of my favourite village festivals: mainly as it is so very un-English. It is an excellent opportunity to see a work-a-day Provencal village, totally non-touristy, celebrating local produce.

What a great painting. I’ve never heard of James Cochran but can’t wait to get myself along to La Galerie Maison Dauphine to see this new expo, ‘Au Coeur de la Rue’. Tucked away in the Quartier Mazarin, this is an innovative gallery. The show is on until October 18th.