
Amazing Proof That “Art Imitates Life” in France
When the Barefoot Blogger decided to travel to France, this blog was born. It was intended as a “letter back home” to those I know so they could keep up with my adventure. Little did I know that the blog would take on a life of its own. Now it …
When the Barefoot Blogger decided to travel to France, this blog was born. It was intended as a “letter back home” to those I know so they could keep up with my adventure. Little did I know that the blog would take on a life of its own. Now it …

Jeweller Sabine Werner Fused to Provence
Sabine Werner is a recent transplant to Provence arriving with her family only in January 2014. However, she tells me that this region has long held her curiosity and is now inspiring her work. It is not that the sun never shines in Munich, Germany (Sabine’s birthplace) or Brisbane, Australia …
Sabine Werner is a recent transplant to Provence arriving with her family only in January 2014. However, she tells me that this region has long held her curiosity and is now inspiring her work. It is not that the sun never shines in Munich, Germany (Sabine’s birthplace) or Brisbane, Australia …

Painting Uzès
I’ve been thinking a lot about Uzès recently – walking, looking, taking photographs and looking at photographs. But there’s been more time spent staring at canvases on which I’ve tried to capture something of the essence of the town. From my studio I can see the Duché, the cathedral and …
I’ve been thinking a lot about Uzès recently – walking, looking, taking photographs and looking at photographs. But there’s been more time spent staring at canvases on which I’ve tried to capture something of the essence of the town. From my studio I can see the Duché, the cathedral and …

Marseille: Les Voutes de la Major
Slowly, the shopping and eating area tucked underneath the imposing cathedrale de la Major is coming to life. There are 8 stores open so far, including a very large Habitat (1500m2) and a Fragonard more of which later.
Slowly, the shopping and eating area tucked underneath the imposing cathedrale de la Major is coming to life. There are 8 stores open so far, including a very large Habitat (1500m2) and a Fragonard more of which later.

House Sitting Near Saint-Tropez Turns into a Book
“Thirty-five minutes from St Tropez” I first learnt of the concept of house-sitting on holiday in 2006. We had rented an apartment in a lovely house just south of La Garde Freinet, a small town in the Var, about twenty minutes from Saint-Tropez. I realised that house-sitting might be a …
“Thirty-five minutes from St Tropez” I first learnt of the concept of house-sitting on holiday in 2006. We had rented an apartment in a lovely house just south of La Garde Freinet, a small town in the Var, about twenty minutes from Saint-Tropez. I realised that house-sitting might be a …

David Hockney in Arles from October 11th
This is the first time I’ve been aware of a David Hockney exhibition in the south of France: he is phenomenally popular in the UK where works when not in LA. This show will draw on work created in Yorkshire where he spent time recording the passing of the seasons …
This is the first time I’ve been aware of a David Hockney exhibition in the south of France: he is phenomenally popular in the UK where works when not in LA. This show will draw on work created in Yorkshire where he spent time recording the passing of the seasons …

Profile: Tania Laveder, World War II Survivor
Tania Laveder had hoped to write her own story, but over the years she has lost some of her Russian. She learned German only for the purposes of survival. The Italian of her in-laws remains fairly non-existent. And the French that has governed her life for almost 70 years now …
Tania Laveder had hoped to write her own story, but over the years she has lost some of her Russian. She learned German only for the purposes of survival. The Italian of her in-laws remains fairly non-existent. And the French that has governed her life for almost 70 years now …

The Fabric of our Lives in Provence
I’ve always loved fabrics, their feel, the patterns of their weave or printed design, the richness of their colours, as well as their potential for being transformed into the functional or the beautiful, the mundane or the luxurious. They also have a rich and fascinating history. Stone loom weights, used …
I’ve always loved fabrics, their feel, the patterns of their weave or printed design, the richness of their colours, as well as their potential for being transformed into the functional or the beautiful, the mundane or the luxurious. They also have a rich and fascinating history. Stone loom weights, used …

Deviation: Language Barrier Ahead
The Barefoot Blogger is still not learning French. Although I have at least three online courses and two books on French open at any time, it’s just not sinking it. Well, maybe a little. Now I’m beginning to think that, perhaps, I understand some of the French words that are …
The Barefoot Blogger is still not learning French. Although I have at least three online courses and two books on French open at any time, it’s just not sinking it. Well, maybe a little. Now I’m beginning to think that, perhaps, I understand some of the French words that are …

Barbara Pitcher Paints her Provence World
Barbara Pitcher is a talented lady who can switch from fluent English to French to Italian to Spanish in the same sentence. As I discovered not only is Barbara linguistically gifted, she graduated from the University of Toronto in French and Italian language and literature, but she is also a …
Barbara Pitcher is a talented lady who can switch from fluent English to French to Italian to Spanish in the same sentence. As I discovered not only is Barbara linguistically gifted, she graduated from the University of Toronto in French and Italian language and literature, but she is also a …