Col de la Bonette
ExploreKeith Van SickleRoad Trips South of France

Is Col de la Bonette the Highest Road In Europe?

In the easternmost part of Provence, near the border with Italy, lies the wild and rugged Mercantour National Park. It is famous for its natural beauty, its Bronze Age stone carvings and its growing population of grey wolves. It is also home to the Route de la Bonette, a road …

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Monaco City View at Night
InspireKeith Van Sickle

Movies and Hollywood Glamour in Monaco

Monaco is a small country with a big reputation. Surrounded by France, it sits just a few miles from the city of Nice on the French Riviera. Monaco is famous for its Monte Carlo Casino, its annual Formula One race, and the elegance of the late Princess Grace. The principality’s …

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Provence Celebrity Rosé Wines Miraval
Keith Van SickleTasteWines and Spirits of Provence

Celebrity Rosé Wines of Provence

American rapper Post Malone has just become the latest celebrity to introduce a rosé wine from Provence. Rosé + Provence + Celebrity seems to be a thing these days. As Malone puts it, “Rosé is for when you want to get a little fancy.” Let’s take a look at some …

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Summer Menu from Provence 2020
Keith Van SickleProvencal RecipesSeasonal MenusTaste

My Summer Menu from Provence

Enjoy the Relaxed Season Summer is a wonderful time of year in Provence, with blue skies everywhere and brilliant sunflowers and lavender in bloom. My favourite time of day is the early evening when the heat of the day is past and you can look forward to a long, lazy …

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Molinari sardine Two Famous Marseille Expressions
InspireKeith Van SickleProvencal History & Traditions

Two Famous Marseille Expressions

“C’est la sardine qui a bouché le port de Marseille!” (A sardine blocked Marseille’s port!) This local saying is famous throughout France. Another that is less well-known is “Chercher Molinari” (look for Molinari). Both expressions, curiously, come from the same famous disaster that took place in the 18th century. The …

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Bring France Life Virtually Murder In Series
InspireKeith Van Sickle

How to Bring French Culture into Your Life Virtually

Oh, to be in France in the spring! My wife and I live part-time in St-Rémy-de-Provence but had to cancel our travel plans this year. Now we are sheltering-in-place and yearning for sunny days in the South of France. But all is not lost! We are still connected to la …

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Chateau Romanin Vineyard Alpilles
ExploreKeith Van SickleVillages Towns and Cities

Our 7 Favourite Villages and Vineyards of the Alpilles

Les Alpilles are a small mountain range in Provence, about 20 minutes south of the papal city of Avignon. These mountains and the surrounding countryside are dotted with charming villages and rolling vineyards, the perfect place to spend a few days. My wife and I live part of the year …

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Market strawberries Spend Day St-Rémy-de-Provence Market
ExploreKeith Van SickleVillages Towns and Cities

How to Spend a Day in St-Rémy-de-Provence

Lucky you, you’re coming to St-Rémy-de-Provence! But you only have one day to see the sights—what should you do? I’m here to help! My wife and I live part of the year in St-Rémy, so let me give you some ideas. The Best Market St-Rémy has one of the best …

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Pagnol Garlaban GNU Guillaume de clermont 60 Writer Marcel Pagnol Provence
Books on ProvenceInspireKeith Van Sickle

Explore Works by Writer Marcel Pagnol in Provence

“I was born in the town of Aubagne, under the Garlaban crowned with goats, in the days of the last goatherds.” ~ Marcel Pagnol Writer Marcel Pagnol So begins the memoir of Marcel Pagnol, the master storyteller of Provence. If you ask someone which author comes to mind when they …

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St Remy Lavender
Expat Living and Real EstateKeith Van SickleLiving in Provence

Living in Provence Getting Deep Into Local Culture

Living Part-time in Provence My wife and I live part of the year in St-Rémy and it’s been fun to get to know the place. One way we’ve done it is through local associations, which are groups organized around a common interest. Associations are popular in France and every town …

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