The best thing about salads is their versatility. Some salads are delicate and meant to be eaten right away, and others are well-suited for transport to, say, a picnic or a potluck; some versions taste even better the following day. While many salads are typically cold or at room temperature, …

We almost always visit Avignon a few days after we arrive in Provence. Our home in Sablet (available for holiday rentals) is only about 40 kilometres away, so it’s a quick drive. The old part of Avignon is enclosed within ancient walls along the Rhone River. The largest town in …

If you are looking for an excellent place to lunch in Châteauneuf-du-Pape, go to Le Comptoir de la Mere Germaine. Châteauneuf-du-Pape is a small medieval village about 30 km from our home in Sablet (available for holiday rental). The town spreads out on the hillside at the foot of the …

Lavender’s intoxicating fragrance is like a journey into a perfume bottle. So why not take that into the kitchen? The herb is a member of the mint family, and specifically grown culinary lavender is edible and adds a unique flavour to baked goods, desserts, and savoury dishes. The important thing …

After 20 years of experience working in the finest restaurants worldwide, 35-year-old French Pastry Chef Nicolas Dolbeau decided to start his project. Thanks to the support of his wife, Sophie, he created his company, bringing the art of pastry making to his home. Meeting French Pastry Chef Nicolas Dolbeau When …

My wife and I recently enjoyed lunch at La Pergola in Niolon, one of our favourite restaurants. And we found an easy way to get there: by train. Provence’s Côte Bleue Niolon is a lovely little seaside village five miles from L’Estaque, the westernmost neighbourhood of Marseille. And even though …

Arles is a city that should be on every visitor’s itinerary while in Provence. There is Roman history, contemporary architecture, museums, shopping, gourmet food, and enough grit to capture your interest. It won’t take long to understand why Vincent Van Gogh found inspiration in this one-time Roman city or why …

We asked Celine O’Donnell, a bilingual walking tour guide who lives in Nice, France if she would select the 2024 Summer menu for Perfectly Provence readers. Celine decided on a collection of her favourite, typical Niçoise recipes – Pissaladière, Truccha, Salade Niçoise and Tourte de Blettes. We hope you enjoy …

Since summer entertaining should be a breeze, this recipe collection, designed with simplicity, features 20 easy-to-follow recipes and a few menu suggestions. If you’re not in the mood for cooking, consider the refreshing salade Niçoise, the chilled gazpacho, the sweet fig and tomato salad, or the indulgent frozen nougat with …

Provence is a famous winemaking (and drinking) country. The region has a justified reputation in wine circles for terrific rosé blends, celebrated reds and coveted whites from Châteauneuf du Pape, and the outstanding production of crus from the Côte du Rhone vineyards. So, perhaps it’s unsurprising that beer is not …