
Mont Ventoux a Protected Biosphere for Cyclists and Wine Lovers
Between the intense month-plus-long heatwave and lack of rain this past summer, our planet is obviously not happy. There was a moment during the pandemic when the planet was given a chance to take a big breath of fresh air. But that didn’t last long, and we are back to …
Between the intense month-plus-long heatwave and lack of rain this past summer, our planet is obviously not happy. There was a moment during the pandemic when the planet was given a chance to take a big breath of fresh air. But that didn’t last long, and we are back to …

In Love with Lavender and Provence
I’ve only been in Provence once during lavender season. It was many years ago when everything in the region was new to me and I was much less adventurous. As a result, I didn’t see much lavender and have regretted it ever since. This year I wanted to be here …
I’ve only been in Provence once during lavender season. It was many years ago when everything in the region was new to me and I was much less adventurous. As a result, I didn’t see much lavender and have regretted it ever since. This year I wanted to be here …

Mont Ventoux AOC Vineyards Discover the Wines
Harvest or vendanges for wineries in the Ventoux usually takes place between the end of August and the last part of September. For those who don’t know this wine region, AOC Ventoux (Appellation d’Origine Contrôlée) is a vast area in the southern Rhône with over 150 wineries. And it’s a …
Harvest or vendanges for wineries in the Ventoux usually takes place between the end of August and the last part of September. For those who don’t know this wine region, AOC Ventoux (Appellation d’Origine Contrôlée) is a vast area in the southern Rhône with over 150 wineries. And it’s a …

Make Croissants for Jan 30th National Croissant Day
National Croissant Day January 30, 2021, is National Croissant Day in the United States, so why not start your day with a café creme and a flaky croissant? Croissants are not typically Provencal fare, but you can expect every respectable bakery to present their version of this French pastry for …
National Croissant Day January 30, 2021, is National Croissant Day in the United States, so why not start your day with a café creme and a flaky croissant? Croissants are not typically Provencal fare, but you can expect every respectable bakery to present their version of this French pastry for …

A Quick Saint-Tropez Getaway
Quick Getaway to Saint-Tropez Do you know the way to Saint-Tropez? I am quite certain that is not how the song goes, but I think it can easily be substituted! This summer was a super eventful one, with guests leaving, new guests arriving, big dinners, photoshoots and a little mini-break …
Quick Getaway to Saint-Tropez Do you know the way to Saint-Tropez? I am quite certain that is not how the song goes, but I think it can easily be substituted! This summer was a super eventful one, with guests leaving, new guests arriving, big dinners, photoshoots and a little mini-break …

Provencal Rituals Rediscovering the Cultural Norms
By Paula Kane I am a big fan of ritual. Simple or complex, I believe they are good for keeping us grounded in something bigger than ourselves. I have mini rituals I do every day, but when I get to France, I crash right into a whole different set of …
By Paula Kane I am a big fan of ritual. Simple or complex, I believe they are good for keeping us grounded in something bigger than ourselves. I have mini rituals I do every day, but when I get to France, I crash right into a whole different set of …

Heartache of Good-bye to Provence and AOC Ventoux Wines
It constantly amazes me how quickly two months pass. In the dead of winter, each month is dreadfully long and feels interminable. In contrast, the summer functions the complete opposite. It is never long enough and ends too quickly. These two months in Provence are always racing by, even though …
It constantly amazes me how quickly two months pass. In the dead of winter, each month is dreadfully long and feels interminable. In contrast, the summer functions the complete opposite. It is never long enough and ends too quickly. These two months in Provence are always racing by, even though …

Saying Goodbye to Fall Weather and Provence
By Paula Kane Here it is, the last full weekend of my stint in Provence. The time always whips by and it’s hard to believe I’ve been here just over two months already. This stretch is often punctuated with a wide range of emotions, and this year has been no …
By Paula Kane Here it is, the last full weekend of my stint in Provence. The time always whips by and it’s hard to believe I’ve been here just over two months already. This stretch is often punctuated with a wide range of emotions, and this year has been no …

Confessing my Love for French Bread
Gluten has been getting a bad rap for a while now. It’s really not fair, as all gluten is not created equally. And some people who think they might have an aversion to gluten are often having issues with the highly processed variety, are perhaps having too much of it, …
Gluten has been getting a bad rap for a while now. It’s really not fair, as all gluten is not created equally. And some people who think they might have an aversion to gluten are often having issues with the highly processed variety, are perhaps having too much of it, …

Mont Ventoux a Cycling Challenge: Taming the Beast
I’ve been cycling most of my life. Like everyone else, I started on training wheels, moved on to a hand-me-down single speed with coaster brakes, then upgraded to an awesome 10-speed. After that, mountain bikes were all the rage, so at 15, I bought my first bike—a Peugeot mountain bike—with …
I’ve been cycling most of my life. Like everyone else, I started on training wheels, moved on to a hand-me-down single speed with coaster brakes, then upgraded to an awesome 10-speed. After that, mountain bikes were all the rage, so at 15, I bought my first bike—a Peugeot mountain bike—with …