Nestled among vineyards near the village of Gigondas sits Notre Dame des Pallières, a family-run winery specializing in the wines of the southern Rhône. It should be a stop for anyone who loves the robust, long-lived wines of this part of France. Gigondas is sometimes described as the little brother …

A unique photo exhibition will be shown in Aix-en-Provence to celebrate the 80th anniversary of the city’s liberation on August 21, 1944. Called Ombres et Lumières (Shadows and Light), it traces the history of Aix between 1930 and 1950, with particular emphasis on the war years. The show, organized by …

Imagine sitting in a comfortable seat in an ancient Roman city with a mountain rising behind it. As the sun sets, and you can see thousands of candles among the ruins, perched on stone walls, stairs, and fallen columns. As the sky darkens, the candles begin to glow. Then, a …

My wife and I recently enjoyed lunch at La Pergola in Niolon, one of our favourite restaurants. And we found an easy way to get there: by train. Provence’s Côte Bleue Niolon is a lovely little seaside village five miles from L’Estaque, the westernmost neighbourhood of Marseille. And even though …

Carrières des Lumières, the fabulous immersive art show held inside a giant cavern near Les Baux-de-Provence, usually features a significant artist like Vincent van Gogh or Paul Cézanne. Works by the artist are displayed along with music in a brilliant choreography. But this year, the organizers decided to do something …

There is an excellent small museum in the Alpilles village of Saint-Andiol. The museum’s archive recounts the life of World War II hero Jean Moulin, and it is well worth a visit. For those unfamiliar with him, Jean Moulin is the man who unified the French Resistance before being captured …

Jane Satow is an American who has lived in France for 20 years. She has built a sterling reputation as a private chef (TV personality Stephen Colbert is a client) and runs cooking classes for small groups. These classes are held in a charming old building in the center of …

My wife Val and I live part of the year in St-Rémy-de-Provence, a little town at the base of the Alpilles Mountains. One of our favourite things is having a picnic lunch and exploring Provence’s beautiful little nooks and crannies. Over the years, we’ve discovered many lovely places to eat …

In a previous article, I reviewed Ten (10) historic Jewish sites in Provence – the details are included below. Recently, I discovered that 2024 marks several anniversaries of the Cavaillon synagogue:  the 250th anniversary of its construction, the 100th anniversary of it being classed as a Historic Monument of France, …

2024 is the year of Marcel Pagnol in Provence, marking the 50th anniversary of his death in 1974. Several special events will be held throughout the year to celebrate the life and works of this brilliant author and filmmaker. Pagnol Celebrations The festivities begin in Aubagne on February 28, Pagnol’s …