By definition, pork rillettes are made using a preservation method similar to duck confit. The pork is seasoned, then slow-cooked submerged in fat and cooked at a grandmotherly pace for several hours. Afterward, the pork is shredded and packed into sterile containers, covered in a thin veneer of fat and …

Imagine staying in a glorious 19th century Provencal country estate surrounded by mighty cedars, olive trees and resplendent vineyards framed by the rolling Luberon hills of the Durance Valley. Transformed in 2013 by architect Alexandre Lafourcade, Domaine de Fontenille is now a luxury spa hotel and exceptional wine domaine, with …

There are some ingredients that remind you of a place you’ve been or, in this case, a place you lived. The state of Maine is one of those places with its fabulous seafood – lobster, clams and Gulf-of-Maine shrimp. Summer eating in this coastal state is all about lobster roll …

Lavender Fields of Provence Rows of fragrant lavender plants stretching toward the horizon are an unforgettable sight. In fact, for many people, this is the first image that comes to mind when they think of Provence. You might imagine that the landscape has always been swathed in lines of lavender, …

What’s On? During the summer in Provence and the Côte d’Azur, daytime temperatures range from warm to hot. So, you don’t need an excuse to laze by the pool. At this time of year, the lavender is in bloom, and the sunflowers put on a spectacular floral show. From music …

Cocoa and Lavender reached a milestone 10th birthday in February – 10 years and over 500 recipes published. At the beginning, I had no idea what to write. I had never taken a food photo, not even surreptitiously in a restaurant. I didn’t have a clue about how blogs work. …

Provence is a classic travel destination and a never-ending source of inspiration and relaxation. But why do people choose to visit Provence? First of all, because of those winding streets, decorated with greenery and flowers. Secondly, because of its incredible climate – all pictures of Provence towns look amazing due …

Wine and food pairing is always an art and rarely a science. Hot spice, acid (citrus, vinegar) and alcohol content are strange tablemates. I decided to pair grilled lamb kebabs with a Domaine de la Jaufrette red wine blend from Gigondas. The meal was a success, the recipe is easy, …

Don’t Argue with a King Aigues Mortes (Eaux Mortes or Dead Waters) is where King Louis IX chose to build a fortified presence in 1240. However, King Louis IX was not the first to construct near this marshland. Charlemagne beat him to it many years before when he had the …

Fascinated with France since her childhood, Raina Stinson visited the country for the first time in 2014. That trip was a career turning point for this long-time nurse from Portland, Oregon. Shortly after that journey, she decided to take early retirement and combine her two passions, portrait photography and the …