Contributor blog post by Ashley Tinker: I recently participated in a cooking class held by Jean Marc Villard of French Cuisine cooking classes in Maubec. Jean Marc, passionate about local produce, started the class by taking us to Naturellement Paysan, the local farmers cooperative in Coustellet. …Continue reading here for details …

Certified Sommelier at 21-years old Youngest Wine Director in a Michelin-starred restaurant (globally) Ruinart Champagne Sommelier Challenge NY 2015 Winner Wine & Spirits Best New Sommeliers of 2016 “Drink Pink a Celebration of Rosé” published in May 2017 With all that Victoria James has accomplished at 26 years old one starts …

It’s easy to get lost in the steady stream of beautiful images on Provencal-themed Instagram feeds. However, when these things come together – artisan techniques, made in Provence and gorgeous photos – I had to find out more about Candlebox Provence. Then suddenly I was almost embarrassed, the Candlebox atelier …

It rains a lot in Normandy. So, two residents of northern France to deciding to spend their retirement years in Provence would hardly be considered unusual. Sylvie and Pascal Verger were searching for a village house with a garden for their relocation from Honfleur. However, the trigger for their real …

Contributor blog post by Aixcentric: Just to say that the 64-page programme for this year’s Journées du Patrimoine, ‘Les Architectes et La Ville’, is now available at the Aix tourist office. But… for whatever reason, it isn’t out on the shelves. So if you want a copy, you have to queue …

Last weekend we decided to potter off to enjoy a couple of brocante markets and vide grenier events being held in the area. The last time we’d gone to one we’d found a wonderful French Military History chart for our youngest, Tom, who’s passionate about history, so he too thought …

Contributor blog post by Ashley Tinker: August is a quiet month in Provence where everyone believes it to be their right to do absolutely nothing (farniente) that requires any energy (other than catching up with friends, sunbathing by the pool or on the beach) In September, there are plenty of festivals …

Of all the British women writers of the mid-20th century, perhaps cookery author Elizabeth David brought the most colour and sensuousness to the page – and the table. When she wrote about aubergines, courgettes, garlic and aromatic herbs, these were exotic rarities in the grey of Britain’s post-war rationing, and …

Contributor blog post by Jemma: My dive into France’s linguistic obsession with food began with the summer shoe sales. This dazzling array pulled us into the shoe store – and launched an exploration into the French language. Twelve-year-old Lolo and I were meandering recently through the narrow streets of old …

At first glance, one might think nothing much has changed at Ateliers Fourwinds since my last visit four years ago. Which, is exactly what the new partners want for this artistic workshop (atelier) space with its natural vistas of the Alpilles. Their desire was to breathe new artistic energy into this …