“The origin of the olive tree is lost in time, coinciding and mingling with the expansion of the Mediterranean civilizations which for centuries governed the destiny of mankind and left their imprint on Western culture.” ~ International Olive Council Olives of Provence If you like olives, wine, and beautiful vistas, …

The Okanagan Lavender & Herb Farm is one of over 5,400 farms in western Canada’s Thompson-Okanagan Region. This family-operated farm grows flowers and herbs on its property, producing high-quality botanical products. They sell products for face and skin care, aromatherapy, and culinary items such as herbes de Provence. Shop for …

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 …

Marseille, France’s second-largest city, might not have an Eiffel Tower, but it has beaches, sunny skies, and fresh Mediterranean rockfish for its signature dish, bouillabaisse. But where should you go to eat bouillabaisse in Marseille? However, bouillabaisse is a culinary dish with a humble past that now has a quality …

The following text, in English and French, is a short introduction to discovering Provence’s almond trees and a few recipes. In the Provencal countryside, it is common to see almond trees growing in the wild. Several regional producers cultivate almonds for local consumption and use in local confectioneries like the …

The Drôme Provençale, despite the name and the Mediterranean landscapes, is technically part of the Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes region and not Provence. As a result of its natural setting, the Drôme Provençale has several food specialties that intersect the culinary boundary between the South and North. Below we highlight the six (6) …

The black truffle season has begun, thrilling chefs the world over. Black truffles are one of the culinary delicacies of France, and their pungent, earthy taste enlivens many a plate. One classic dish is scrambled eggs with truffles, a simple recipe that lets the flavour of the truffles shine through. …

For the end-of-year celebrations, what is better than giving or receiving a selection of sweet treats? Remember Provence offers different and exclusive compositions of Provençal and artisanal chocolates and sweets. Fruidoraix, a family-run company, has produced these confectioneries for over 140 years. The fabrication expertise has been passed along through …

Last year, we enjoyed a mild autumn in Provence, which is not always the case in the South of France. The pleasant temperatures meant we could get out cycling and for long walks. It also allowed us to visit some of our favourite brocantes and the semi-annual Antiques, Art, and …

Did you know that the word cereal comes from Ceres, that beautiful Roman goddess of harvest and agriculture? Humans have been cultivating grains since time immemorial; even Neanderthals collected them to bake into some reasonably complex dishes (mentioned in the blog post Breaking Bread in Palestine on my website). Grains, …