It felt like we were on a treasure hunt. Armed with a map, and aided by a few directional markers our goal was to see all 40 fountains scattered inside the old defensive walls of Pernes le Fontaines. A visit to the village of Pernes les Fontaines, in the Vaucluse, …

It’s hard to believe that Parc de la Torse is just a 10-minute walk from the Cours Mirabeau in Aix-en-Provence. The Torse Park is a wonderful natural area that follows the little river from Route de Cézanne down to Route de Nice. There are ancient plane trees for shade and …

I must admit, at first I wasn’t crazy about the village of Bonnieux. I thought it was a little too busy, a little rougher around the edges than some of my favourites in Provence. But after staying two weeks just below the village, I am now smitten. Each day as …

Sunday is an ideal time to visit Toulon as the traffic is lighter, it’s easier to park, and the market is in full swing. It’s a good market, with the top part being North African stalls, leading down to the fruit and veg section and ending in clothes near the …

Bedoin is a village, in the Vaucluse, that grows on you. At first it may not appear to be as polished or refined as some of the other popular villages in the area. But give it a chance. Wander the streets and enjoy the atmosphere, the frenzy of excitement as …

Contributor blog post by Caroline Longstaffe: The Lourmarin Château lies on the edge of the fairy tale village of Lourmarin, nestled under the gently rolling hills of Provence’s southern Luberon. Visit it to admire its beautiful antiques, discover its fascinating history and enjoy a musical soirée within it ancient walls. …

The thrill of discovering new villages with the expectation that the next one will be more charming than the last is why my early trips to France entailed a five-page list of villages in alphabetical order to see. The sight of this list would often make my husband’s face turn …

I have to confess driving round/past/through Gardanne several times but never stopping to have a look round. We did, this week, and found it interesting. It wasn’t a good start as the tourist office was shut. We had checked the opening hours on the website but when we got there, …

This morning I hopped in the car and headed across to Forcalquier, a short distance from us in the neighbouring Department of Alpes-De-Haute-Provence. Monday is its market day and provides the perfect excuse for a visit (if such a thing is needed?). It is a lovely drive along the northern …

I love exploring Provence in the winter. It’s quiet and you can linger in the streets of small towns to appreciate the little details such as potted plants adorably shoved onto windowsills. Or, the particular stunning shade of peach on a weather-beaten shutter. Provencal Weather in Winter: People often ask …