11-years ago, Lisa and Johann Pepin switched corporate jobs for a rural lifestyle and became expats (Lisa). This Franco-American couple live in Provence at Les Pastras a property that Johann’s grandfather bought in the 1970s. You can read their full story and more details on Les Pastras truffle hunting and …

By aixcentric Last summer, I posted about a trip taken down to Pointe-Rouge (Marseille), by navette from the Vieux Port, for lunch by the sea. You can read about “Marseille lunch pieds dans l’eau” here. It was a lovely excursion. Now I read that things are changing down there. The …

Elizabeth Gabay recently attended the official 2014 vintage tasting of the wines of Coteaux d’Aix-en-Provence. This appellation maybe small at 4000ha, but there are 67 domaines and 12 cooperatives.  To learn more about the region and Elizabeth’s thoughts on the 2014 vintage wines from the 34 producers at the event …

A little while ago I enjoyed a glass or two of local wine with Sarah Pernot, a fellow Brit and founder of Discover Provence; a tour company offering authentic trips around the region.   Sarah suggested I come on one of her newer trips, a Provencal cooking experience, to the …

Hilda Stearn visited Forcalquier in Haute Provence in the autumn. You can read about the lovely place she stayed and the local spa here. In today’s 24/7 society it is easy to forget that in some parts of France this development has yet to take hold. Arriving late in the …

This dessert originates from the Limousin region of France, but is often seen on Provencal menus. The beauty of this easy dessert is it can be prepared with almost any fruit, although strawberries are not recommended.  The traditional version is made with whole cherries (not pitted) otherwise the juice will change …

I am often asked which rosé wines from Provence I would recommend, so I have put together some which I liked at recent tastings. The wines were tasted at various domaines, the large trade fair Prowein in Dusseldorf and the annual Côtes de Provence tasting in Mandelieu, both this month, …

This Wednesday, April 15th, L’Art Glacier reopens after its winter break. This is a restaurant tucked away on a wooded hillside near Ansouis and is well-worth seeking out. It has a fabulous terrace which overlooks the Luberon and its ice-creams and sorbets must be the best ever! Explore the original …

Local enough to hear the latest gossip makes you a local in Provence Sharon de Rham (tour guide and expat) says she gets the heads up from her friend at the tourist office when there are movie stars staying in the “neighbourhood.” After nearly ten years in Vaison la Romaine, …

Ten minutes drive from the centre of Aix and we are in the countryside.  All around this town there are little villages where daily life seems a whole lot slower and simpler than its larger neighbour.  The stunning ‘travel book’ villages are further away and if you need a slice …