
Ansouis at Provence’s Crossroads in the Luberon
Luberon Villages Ansouis was a gift – 963 AD, and it still is! This village first appears in a written record in 963 AD, referring to Lambert de Reillane, who donated Ansoye lands to the Abbey of Saint-Pierre de Montmajour. This land in the Aigues valley belonged to his grandfather …
Luberon Villages Ansouis was a gift – 963 AD, and it still is! This village first appears in a written record in 963 AD, referring to Lambert de Reillane, who donated Ansoye lands to the Abbey of Saint-Pierre de Montmajour. This land in the Aigues valley belonged to his grandfather …

Tomatoes, cobnuts and rocket – late summer pesto
It’s full-on tomato season here in Dorset, and hugely satisfying to see so much ripe, red fruit both in the garden and the greenhouse. We might even be saved from the usual gallon of green tomato chutney this year. Over the summer we’ve munched our way through Explore this Post
It’s full-on tomato season here in Dorset, and hugely satisfying to see so much ripe, red fruit both in the garden and the greenhouse. We might even be saved from the usual gallon of green tomato chutney this year. Over the summer we’ve munched our way through Explore this Post
Village Scenes in Uzes: One Crazy Good Artist
Last Saturday afternoon one of the local artists in Uzes threw a soiree for a few friends and fans. Aside from celebrating the last days of his art exhibit, it was a crazy good party. Explore this Post
Last Saturday afternoon one of the local artists in Uzes threw a soiree for a few friends and fans. Aside from celebrating the last days of his art exhibit, it was a crazy good party. Explore this Post

Mas de la Croix de Fer Self-Catered Gites in Mallemort
The owners of Mas de la Croix de Fer are celebrating their second season of running self-catering cottages in the Bouches-du-Rhône. The story of how they ended up in Mallemort is one of fate. Born in Zambia, Charmaine is a genuine South African – she speaks both English and Afrikaans. …
The owners of Mas de la Croix de Fer are celebrating their second season of running self-catering cottages in the Bouches-du-Rhône. The story of how they ended up in Mallemort is one of fate. Born in Zambia, Charmaine is a genuine South African – she speaks both English and Afrikaans. …

Is Abbey of Montmajour Worth a Visit
It would be easy enough to skip the Abbey of Montmajour as you are rushing to Arles for a Feria du Riz or for lunch in St Remy on a lively terrace. Don’t skip by – it is magical!
It would be easy enough to skip the Abbey of Montmajour as you are rushing to Arles for a Feria du Riz or for lunch in St Remy on a lively terrace. Don’t skip by – it is magical!

Making the Most of Monaco
With not one but two Grimaldi babies due at the end of the year, it’ll be all eyes on the Palais Princier de Monaco. Although we have visited Monaco at various times, I hadn’t realised that in fact you can go for a tour inside the palace. Speed though is of …
With not one but two Grimaldi babies due at the end of the year, it’ll be all eyes on the Palais Princier de Monaco. Although we have visited Monaco at various times, I hadn’t realised that in fact you can go for a tour inside the palace. Speed though is of …
The Bullfight Corrida: A Dance with Death
When I decided to move to France, bullfights never entered my mind. Who knew the traditionally Spanish events exist in the south of France? Years ago, I attended a bullfight in Spain. It was the “thing to do” for a 20-something college kid visiting Barcelona. All I remember about it …
When I decided to move to France, bullfights never entered my mind. Who knew the traditionally Spanish events exist in the south of France? Years ago, I attended a bullfight in Spain. It was the “thing to do” for a 20-something college kid visiting Barcelona. All I remember about it …

And Pistou?
It never ceases to amaze me how most people know exactly what pesto is yet when you mention the term pistou, it’s blank faces all round. This no-nut French cousin of pesto is just as delicious and even easier to make. No toasting of pine nuts required here. So, Explore …
It never ceases to amaze me how most people know exactly what pesto is yet when you mention the term pistou, it’s blank faces all round. This no-nut French cousin of pesto is just as delicious and even easier to make. No toasting of pine nuts required here. So, Explore …

It’s Time to Make the Wine
It’s time to make wine in France. Remember the TV ad for Dunkin’ Donuts: “It’s time to make the donuts!” It’s time to make wine in France. Unusually cool weather over the summer months caused a late grape harvest. (“La vendange”) Explore this Post
It’s time to make wine in France. Remember the TV ad for Dunkin’ Donuts: “It’s time to make the donuts!” It’s time to make wine in France. Unusually cool weather over the summer months caused a late grape harvest. (“La vendange”) Explore this Post

Black Jam Recipe
I’ve been consulting my provençal cookbooks again, this time for jam recipes as there are loads of plums, blackberries and other fruit just waiting to be preserved around here and I thought it would be fun to try something a little bit different this year. I was intrigued to Explore …
I’ve been consulting my provençal cookbooks again, this time for jam recipes as there are loads of plums, blackberries and other fruit just waiting to be preserved around here and I thought it would be fun to try something a little bit different this year. I was intrigued to Explore …