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 the water …

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 …

During crisp walks in Autumn woods, and admiring the rich colours of turning foliage, forage a handful of brambles from the hedgerows along the path. Blackberries are the perfect accompaniment for this delicious Blackberry and Rosé Cocktail, a “Bramble Cobbler” that shines with the citrus aromas of our Pure Rosé …

Last year, we enjoyed a mild autumn in Provence, which is not always the case in the South of France. The pleasant temperatures meant we could get out cycling and for long walks. It also allowed us to visit some of our favourite brocantes and the semi-annual Antiques, Art, and …

Fall in Provence can be strange and wonderful. We seemed to skip right from summer to autumn in a day, then thankfully recovered a little bit since the beginning of October. On the other hand, I always get rather down when the temperatures dip and the days become shorter; this …

With its “painter’s light” and powerful landscapes, Provence was immortalized by Paul Cézanne, Vincent Van Gogh and other famous artists. However, the region is continually building its reputation as a magnet for art and creativity. From parks to vineyards to glass factories, here are 12 places to see contemporary art …