
Welcoming Baby Grape
I’ve been a bit quiet recently, for good reason! One month ago today, we welcomed our baby girl Charlotte (aka Lottie) into the world. What a wonderful, scary, exciting, emotional four weeks it has been and this little princess already has her doting parents wrapped around her (teeny) fingers. We …
I’ve been a bit quiet recently, for good reason! One month ago today, we welcomed our baby girl Charlotte (aka Lottie) into the world. What a wonderful, scary, exciting, emotional four weeks it has been and this little princess already has her doting parents wrapped around her (teeny) fingers. We …

Marseille: Les Voutes de la Major
Slowly, the shopping and eating area tucked underneath the imposing cathedrale de la Major is coming to life. There are 8 stores open so far, including a very large Habitat (1500m2) and a Fragonard more of which later.
Slowly, the shopping and eating area tucked underneath the imposing cathedrale de la Major is coming to life. There are 8 stores open so far, including a very large Habitat (1500m2) and a Fragonard more of which later.

House Sitting Near Saint-Tropez Turns into a Book
“Thirty-five minutes from St Tropez” I first learnt of the concept of house-sitting on holiday in 2006. We had rented an apartment in a lovely house just south of La Garde Freinet, a small town in the Var, about twenty minutes from Saint-Tropez. I realised that house-sitting might be a …
“Thirty-five minutes from St Tropez” I first learnt of the concept of house-sitting on holiday in 2006. We had rented an apartment in a lovely house just south of La Garde Freinet, a small town in the Var, about twenty minutes from Saint-Tropez. I realised that house-sitting might be a …

Tomato Soupe au Pistou
The last few days of summer have found me busily preserving tomatoes for use during the winter. Over in France, the long, hot August days were perfect for my first attempt at sundried plum tomatoes, which shrivelled in the garden sun for two days before being tightly packed. Continue reading …
The last few days of summer have found me busily preserving tomatoes for use during the winter. Over in France, the long, hot August days were perfect for my first attempt at sundried plum tomatoes, which shrivelled in the garden sun for two days before being tightly packed. Continue reading …

Harvest in Provence 2015 is a Corker
Contributor blog post by Mirabeau Wine: Harvest was over in many parts of Provence by late September. The winemakers that I have talked to are optimistic that the fruit from 2015 will produce great wine. Here is what the gang at Mirabeau Wine has to say: It’s not even the …
Contributor blog post by Mirabeau Wine: Harvest was over in many parts of Provence by late September. The winemakers that I have talked to are optimistic that the fruit from 2015 will produce great wine. Here is what the gang at Mirabeau Wine has to say: It’s not even the …

Hiking the Perreal
The Perreal hill is on the west side of Saint Saturnin Les Apt and the walk gives spectacular views in all directions. From our house, we walk the 800 metres to the village and then continue straight across opposite the bar du Platane. At the end of the road, turn …
The Perreal hill is on the west side of Saint Saturnin Les Apt and the walk gives spectacular views in all directions. From our house, we walk the 800 metres to the village and then continue straight across opposite the bar du Platane. At the end of the road, turn …

Profile: Tania Laveder, World War II Survivor
Tania Laveder had hoped to write her own story, but over the years she has lost some of her Russian. She learned German only for the purposes of survival. The Italian of her in-laws remains fairly non-existent. And the French that has governed her life for almost 70 years now …
Tania Laveder had hoped to write her own story, but over the years she has lost some of her Russian. She learned German only for the purposes of survival. The Italian of her in-laws remains fairly non-existent. And the French that has governed her life for almost 70 years now …

Glamorous Nice and a funky little hotel
Contributor blog post by Jill Cowdry: All aboard…. time to jump on the TGV ..my favourite way to travel. Aix to Nice close to the dreamiest of coastline. Via Toulon then a brief diversion inland to vineyards near Draguignan, it meanders snake-like with great ease close to the coast. …
Contributor blog post by Jill Cowdry: All aboard…. time to jump on the TGV ..my favourite way to travel. Aix to Nice close to the dreamiest of coastline. Via Toulon then a brief diversion inland to vineyards near Draguignan, it meanders snake-like with great ease close to the coast. …

A new wine domain in Apt
Contributor blog post by David Taylor: We have just discovered Domaine de Font Alba, on the outskirts of Apt. Set in 25 hectares including vine and olive trees, the vines are at between 300 and 400 meters facing South & South East and …Continue reading here Via:: Accommodation in Provence …
Contributor blog post by David Taylor: We have just discovered Domaine de Font Alba, on the outskirts of Apt. Set in 25 hectares including vine and olive trees, the vines are at between 300 and 400 meters facing South & South East and …Continue reading here Via:: Accommodation in Provence …

Carre du Palais Inter Rhone’s Wine Tourism Project
Maison des Vins – home to Inter Rhône – is moving uptown! Hôtel Calvet de la Palun built in 1789, one of the last of the hôtels particulier (grand, private residences) constructed under the Pontifical proprietorship of Avignon (ended 1791). Touching the southern edge of the Palais des Papes (a UNESCO …
Maison des Vins – home to Inter Rhône – is moving uptown! Hôtel Calvet de la Palun built in 1789, one of the last of the hôtels particulier (grand, private residences) constructed under the Pontifical proprietorship of Avignon (ended 1791). Touching the southern edge of the Palais des Papes (a UNESCO …