When I read on Kristin Espinasse’s blog “French Word a Day,” that her husband Jean-Marc, a wine professional, offered wine tours in Provence, I was in touch faster than you can open a screw-top bottle. We settled on a date for wine tasting in the Bandol and Cassis appellations. Although …

For the end-of-year celebrations, what is better than giving or receiving a selection of sweet treats? Remember Provence offers different and exclusive compositions of Provençal and artisanal chocolates and sweets. Fruidoraix, a family-run company, has produced these confectioneries for over 140 years. The fabrication expertise has been passed along through …

The Camargue region is one of the most unique areas in France, a vast salt delta of marshland and sand dunes encompassing more than 247,000 acres, nestled between the two branches of the Rhône River, the Grand and Petit, both originating in the Swiss Alps. The word Camargue derives from …

I created this festive “swaddled” oyster recipe with vinegar, endives and pomegranate seeds. The cooked oyster recipe was inspired by ancient Roman cuisine, especially for producer par excellence Florent Tarbouriech from the Etang de Thau. Made with his famous “Special” oysters and their particularly sweet, iodized hazelnut flavour, this recipe …

A daube is a slow-cooked stew you will find simmering at a grandmotherly pace in kitchens across France, though the best known are from southern France. Traditionally daubes can be made from lamb or beef, though one does not need to travel too far to find pork daubes, bull daubes, …

This article is about the traditions surrounding La Toussaint by a student who participated in a French immersion holiday with Virginie Van Der Wees. The text is written in English, followed by French text. Please keep reading for those interested in improving their French and learning about the holiday traditions …

Suppose you are looking for a fun gin cocktail. In that case, this ghostly gimlet cocktail recipe from Maison Mirabeau is frighteningly delicious if you are looking for the perfectly spooky for your Halloween festivities! Add a dash of activated charcoal powder to the cocktail shaker for that touch of …

France was the most significant wine country in Europe in 2023. However, the growing season was not without its challenges this year. Italy, France, and Spain are usually the three largest wine-producing countries. Since France, relatively speaking in the “average” between the regions, has done well while the other countries …

Coco Mary Blignaut admits that she has had many lives in one lifetime. Born in South Africa, she has travelled extensively and now lives in Southern California near Los Angeles. An actress, film producer, writer and educator, Blignaut has written several books, including Mademoiselle Puss in Provence and now Our …

This article about Halloween in Provence by Virginie Van Der Wees is bilingual, written in English, followed by French text. For those interested in improving their French and learning about the traditions of Halloween in the South of France, please keep reading. French Immersion Holiday Celebrating Halloween in Provence As …