As a family, we always had a creche at Christmastime. Saying it was handmade makes it sound like a professional job. However, it was anything but rather the result of a haphazard artistic collaboration between my brother and me. Somehow that creche has stood the test of time, and my …

Holiday Shopping Made Easy Are you shopping for book lovers? Here is our 2023 holiday gift guide for books from Provence for those on your list who love reading, travelling, and dreaming of France. These books are for anyone who wants a literary “dose” of Provence. Whether you have visited …

 Winter Festivals and Events in Provence So many images of the Provence and the Côte d’Azur are summer scenes with ribbons of blooming lavender fields, glasses of rosé with beads of condensation, and beautiful people in straw hats enjoying their holidays. Perhaps wintertime in Provence garners less attention, but it’s …

As November lists towards the holiday season, Provence begins to unfurl the tinsel and bright nods to Noël are building. Christmas in Provence has many traditions to observe during the three full days of it – from the cacho-fio to the 13 desserts and beyond. The real magic, however, lies …

In Provence, at Christmastime, there are many holiday traditions, including nativity scenes with Santons (little saints). Santons are little clay figurines depicting the biblical characters – baby Jesus, Mary, Joseph and the Wisemen. Anyone expecting the “typical” nativity scenario might be surprised by the Provencal version with figures representing the …

2023 Holiday Shopping Gift Guide As December approaches, the countdown is on for holiday shopping. In our 2023 Holiday Shopping Gift Guide and Our Provencal Marketplace, we have collected some of our favourite creators from Provence and beyond. These made-in-France products are for the home (table, kitchen and décor), fashion, …

Search for Provence on the internet, and your screen fills with beautiful images of a part of the world that captures our imagination. In her second book, Jamie Beck tempts the reader with stunning Provencal landscapes and magnificent French gardens while celebrating the soft floral details. The Flowers of Provence …

When you think of global food capitals and delicious street food, does Marseille spring to mind? If not, Taste the World in Marseille: Marseille Cuisine by the Marseillais will convince you to book a trip and stay long enough to explore the city’s neighbourhoods and discover the innovative chefs and …

Virginie Van Der Wees wrote this article about Black Friday in Provence. She is a mother, wife, and French teacher who offers language immersion holidays near Aix-en-Provence. The text about consumer shopping trends in France is written in English, followed by French. Please keep reading for anyone interested in improving …

Where to See Art in Provence In a place that inspired so many famous artists, including Paul Cezanne, Vincent Van Gogh, Pablo Picasso, Henri Matisse, and Nicolas de Stael, among countless others, there is no lack of opportunities to see art in Provence. We have compiled a list of places …