One of the life experiences I cherish the most is spending time along the Côte d’Azur. However, I must confess that I’m geographically challenged, so the more I visited, the more confused I became about something relatively straightforward. “Which seaside towns are below which hilltop villages?” To settle the question, …

One of my French students, Mary Katherine, wanted to visit the French Riviera during her immersion homestay in Provence. It was January, a lovely month to see the Côte d’Azur. It is not beach weather, but it is generally sunny and, with the proper layers, comfortable for touring around. Plus, …

Nestled just a short ferry ride from the glamorous shores of Cannes, the Lérins Islands offer a serene escape from the hustle and bustle of the French Riviera. Of these islands, Île Sainte-Marguerite stands out as a haven of natural beauty and tranquillity. The Journey to Île Sainte-Marguerite The adventure …

Readers often ask us for recommendations about where to eat lunch in Aix-en-Provence. The truth is that restaurants change hands frequently, and every establishment can have an off day. However, navigating an unfamiliar destination can be tricky, so we offer a few suggestions. Below is a list of tried-and-true restaurants …

“The origin of the olive tree is lost in time, coinciding and mingling with the expansion of the Mediterranean civilizations which for centuries governed the destiny of mankind and left their imprint on Western culture.” ~ International Olive Council Olives of Provence If you like olives, wine, and beautiful vistas, …

For the past 11 years, I have guided tours through Provence. One of my tours, Edible Provence, offers two (2) cooking classes. Last year, I was very disappointed with one of the cooking class instructors I’d been using and needed to find someone new. While browsing the internet, I landed …

Running east to west in Provence’s Bouches-du-Rhône department, the Alpilles (“small Alps”) is a mountain range, protected park, and agricultural area. Its rugged, arid alpine terroir suits growing grapes and olives on its flanks. Below, we cover ideas for touring the Alpilles vineyards in Provence, many of which also produce …

The village of Eygalières continues to be one of the jewels in the Alpilles. Despite the town’s footprint growth in the last decade, Eygalères retains its old-world charm. Unlike other Alpilles villages, Eygalières has few retail opportunities for clothing, books, and gift items. However, there is a baker, butcher, cheese …

What is a daube? It’s a slow-cooked beef stew served in Southern France, especially Provence. When I look at daube recipes and compare them to other beef stew recipes or bœuf bourguignon, there are a lot of similarities, but daube has a lighter body, more like a soup. For me, …

Nestled among vineyards near the village of Gigondas sits Notre Dame des Pallières, a family-run winery specializing in the wines of the southern Rhône. It should be a stop for anyone who loves the robust, long-lived wines of this part of France. Gigondas is sometimes described as the little brother …