The South of France has long attracted artists and creative types who were inspired by the natural beauty. Vincent Van Gogh followed his dream to Arles. Paul Cézanne returned to his beloved Aix-en-Provence after time spent in Paris. Paul Gaughin accepted Van Gogh’s invitation to head south and participate in …

Spring Events in Provence Spring in Provence is lovely. As is the case with most of the year, the sun shines brightly, but expect the odd rainstorm. Moisture in this period is critical for the grapes, olives, and almonds to start their growing cycles. In March and April, expect to …

Looking for authentic cuisine? Are you a big fan of France? If you said “yes” to both of these, then read on! Of all the places in the world, France is well-known for its various cuisines that many curious foodies and tourists want to get their hands on right now. …

My name is Virginie Van Der Wees. I am a French teacher for non-French speakers. I live near Aix-en-Provence. Every morning, it’s a pleasure to wake up and tell myself that I live at the foot of the Sainte-Victoire mountain, 25 minutes from Aix-en-Provence. Je m’appelle Virginie Van Der Wees. …

Try these savoury, irresistible shrimp cakes with a gingery-lime mayonnaise and salad. With a little advanced preparation, they come together very quickly, and before you know it, an excellent light supper is on the table. On this particular evening, we shared the meal virtually with friends across the country. Through …

While we plan our late 2021 and 2022 travel, why not escape to sunny Provence, Portugal or Spain for a few hours? Let’s start with a giveaway! Last call for your chance to win a copy of our Festa Italiana cookbook – Enter here. Chef and cookbook author Letizia will …

French bakers have perfected tarts in both sweet and savoury versions. The combination of leek and goat cheese is a creamy delight in this recipe. This tart is perfect for a lunch dish with a green salad or served in bite-sized pieces as an appetizer. We used goat cheese in …

Floating Islands (Iles Flottantes) are a traditional French dessert that you find on classic menus. Not quite a pudding, not a custard and not a creme brulée, Floating Islands are a delicious finish to a meal. This dessert was part of a menu that I created for my virtual cooking …

Producing only Rhône-style white and rosé wines, Acquiesce Winery is a maverick in Lodi, California. The appellation is known for its concentration of Zinfandel red wines. The San Francisco Chronicle included the Acquiesce Winery tasting room among its list of 52 vineyards to visit in 2020. When We Retire The …

Carrières de Lumières, the former quarry now a centre for immersive art displays, has announced its theme for 2021, and it should prove popular with the Aixois. The 2021 show, at Les Baux de Provence, will celebrate the work of Paul Cezanne. This show’s design and production are being masterminded …