Situated in the Bouches du Rhône, Aix-en-Provence may lack Marseille’s waterfront and beaches, but the beauty of Aix more than makes up for it. A day is hardly long enough to appreciate a city that began as a Roman settlement over 2,000 years ago. Spend some in Aix-en-Provence walking a …

I have never lived in a village in France. I lived in a city (Paris), but I’ve always lived in the countryside in Provence. Never far from a town, but not actually in one. As we are working out a plan for a full-time life in Provence, I thought it …

You are correct if you think paella is not a typical French recipe. The origins of this rice-based dish are certainly Spanish, from the Valencia region. However, as with many culinary traditions, recipes have evolved and travelled within Europe and beyond. Most markets in Provence have at least one vendor …

Provence is known for its delicious Mediterranean cuisine and fresh ingredients. Agriculture in the region benefits from a warm, arid climate making it a suitable environment for growing olives, grapes, almonds, tomatoes, zucchini, spelt (epeautre) and stone fruits. Traditional regional dining customs call for long, slow meals where you enjoy …

Not much has changed since the Roman era in Nîmes – fabulous monuments and good food remain central to the city’s fabric. In 1840, la Maison Carrée, a beautifully restored Roman temple, was listed as a French historic monument, and as of September 18, 2023, it is now on the …

Not helped by its setting for gangster and crime movies, France’s second-largest city – Marseille – used to have an image problem. However, ask any local; this city is pure magic. Situated on the Mediterranean, Marseille residents can swim at their favourite beach before work and watch the sunset over …

Imagine discovering a new recipe outside Essaouira, Morocco! When I was invited to lunch by vintner Charles Mélia and his wife, Zina. They own Domaine du Val d’Argan, where they produce wine and olive oil. We were all given a tour of the winery and its beautiful vineyards. The meal …

Qunice, or coing in French, is a lemon-yellow coloured fruit that looks like a lumpy pear. Although it is a genetic relative to apples and pears, the only way to eat quince is to cook it.  One popular preparation is membrillo (pate de coing), a dense, sweet, sliceable paste often …

Nicholas Woodsworth wrote Seeking Provence, Old Myths, New Paths about his lifestyle transition that began with a “Career Discussion.” The book starts with meeting his new boss at the newspaper’s headquarters in London, England, to life in Aix-en-Provence. Woodsworth was not enthusiastic about the unanticipated leave of absence and permanent …

I always think of cream soup as being one of the most elegant starters for a special meal. However, cream soups can be a little tricky to perfect. Getting today’s soup just right has taken me a few tries. Checking many sources and heeding their advice, rice was used as …