
New Book Keith Van Sickle Asks, “Are We French Yet?”
Keith Van Sickle just published his second book, “Are We French Yet? Keith & Val’s Adventures in Provence.” In a word the book is delightful. Please scroll to the bottom for giveaway details. Author Keith Van Sickle Few couples in Silicon Valley (or anywhere) would take a leap of faith …
Keith Van Sickle just published his second book, “Are We French Yet? Keith & Val’s Adventures in Provence.” In a word the book is delightful. Please scroll to the bottom for giveaway details. Author Keith Van Sickle Few couples in Silicon Valley (or anywhere) would take a leap of faith …

Make Ultimate Hot Chocolate and a Sweet Gift Idea
Hot chocolate is one of those drinks that makes you feel like a kid. On a cold, blustery, why not drink something sweet and delicious? This recipe is so quick to prepare that we hope you never resort to packaged hot cocoa again.
Hot chocolate is one of those drinks that makes you feel like a kid. On a cold, blustery, why not drink something sweet and delicious? This recipe is so quick to prepare that we hope you never resort to packaged hot cocoa again.

Visit Château La Coste for Art, Architecture and Wine
Nestled among rolling vineyards between the historic city of Aix-en-Provence (14km) and the stunning Luberon Valley (21km), you will find Château La Coste. Purchased by Irish real estate developer Paddy McKillen in 2002, the ordinary has been transformed into the extraordinary. Château La Coste is now a stunning domain set within 600 …
Nestled among rolling vineyards between the historic city of Aix-en-Provence (14km) and the stunning Luberon Valley (21km), you will find Château La Coste. Purchased by Irish real estate developer Paddy McKillen in 2002, the ordinary has been transformed into the extraordinary. Château La Coste is now a stunning domain set within 600 …

Holiday Reading The First Noël by Patricia Sands
Published at the end of November, The First Noël at the Villa des Violettes is the first novella in a three-part series by Patricia Sands. The First Noël with its holiday theme is a chance to reconnect with the characters from the Love in Provence series or dive into the story …
Published at the end of November, The First Noël at the Villa des Violettes is the first novella in a three-part series by Patricia Sands. The First Noël with its holiday theme is a chance to reconnect with the characters from the Love in Provence series or dive into the story …

French Silk History and a Walled Garden near Uzés
When driving down the backroads of France near Uzés, it’s a common sight to ride alongside tall stone walls. You know these beautifully laid stones must conceal something amazing. Perhaps behind French garden walls, there’s a story to be told. Behind French Garden Walls Not too long ago I was …
When driving down the backroads of France near Uzés, it’s a common sight to ride alongside tall stone walls. You know these beautifully laid stones must conceal something amazing. Perhaps behind French garden walls, there’s a story to be told. Behind French Garden Walls Not too long ago I was …

A Citrus Almond Cake Everyone will Love
Almonds, olives, tomatoes, and citrus fruit are some of the culinary signatures of the Mediterranean climate. In Provence, the citrus groves are found on the Côte d’Azur near Menton. There is no question that a visit Menton one year during the Fête du Citron is on my travel bucket list. However, …
Almonds, olives, tomatoes, and citrus fruit are some of the culinary signatures of the Mediterranean climate. In Provence, the citrus groves are found on the Côte d’Azur near Menton. There is no question that a visit Menton one year during the Fête du Citron is on my travel bucket list. However, …

Luberon Villages Lourmarin in the Off-Sesason
It’s raining today in Provence and after nearly a month of clear, blue skies and gentle, warm autumnal days, temperatures have plummeted signalling the beginnings of winter. Nowhere, even Lourmarin, is idyllic in the rain, or is it? Perhaps enticed by the recently hung lights across the streets of the village …
It’s raining today in Provence and after nearly a month of clear, blue skies and gentle, warm autumnal days, temperatures have plummeted signalling the beginnings of winter. Nowhere, even Lourmarin, is idyllic in the rain, or is it? Perhaps enticed by the recently hung lights across the streets of the village …

Sacristains Sweet and Decadently Easy Recipe
sacristains (French word) is a little harder to classify, and the origins are equally mysterious. Made with puff pastry (pâte feuilletée) layers of sugar and almonds and a quick trip to the oven make this crispy treat…heavenly
sacristains (French word) is a little harder to classify, and the origins are equally mysterious. Made with puff pastry (pâte feuilletée) layers of sugar and almonds and a quick trip to the oven make this crispy treat…heavenly

Warm-up the Holidays with Mulled Wine – Vin Chaud
What’s a Christmas market in France be without some mulled wine? In fact, what is winter without mulled wine? As one of our followers pointed out, it also adds such a delicious smell to your house. Enjoy (in moderation of course). The advantage of making it yourself is that you …
What’s a Christmas market in France be without some mulled wine? In fact, what is winter without mulled wine? As one of our followers pointed out, it also adds such a delicious smell to your house. Enjoy (in moderation of course). The advantage of making it yourself is that you …

Hotel Le Saint-Remy Delivers Cool 5-Star Luxury in Town
Chic Hotel Le Saint-Remy After a 20-month construction timeline, Le Saint-Remy opened its doors to hotel guests in August 2018. The 19th-century mansion constructed for Colonel Chambéry with its cour d’honneur (ceremonial courtyard) would have been majestic in its heyday, but more recently it was dilapidated. Didier Rivière leveraged his …
Chic Hotel Le Saint-Remy After a 20-month construction timeline, Le Saint-Remy opened its doors to hotel guests in August 2018. The 19th-century mansion constructed for Colonel Chambéry with its cour d’honneur (ceremonial courtyard) would have been majestic in its heyday, but more recently it was dilapidated. Didier Rivière leveraged his …