Contributor blog post by Access Riviera: Every year in France there is a fantastic initiative called the European Heritage Days (Les Journées Européennes du Patrimoine) where residents and tourists have the opportunity to access many historical, cultural and architectural sites for no or heavily reduced entrance fees. This year the …

Contributor blog post by Aixcentric: Journées du Patrimoine, the weekend when local history and culture is celebrated across Europe, takes place on the 19th and 20th September. Here in Aix, the theme will be ‘Métamorphoses d’une ville’, celebrating the Peek behind the scenes at the Pavillon Noir and the Grand …

Sparkling azure waters, chilled pink wine, cicada-led symphonies and the market aromas of rotisserie chickens it is easy to see how one might get drunk on the sensory indulgence of Provence. Intoxicating PJ Adams grew up in California where she studied, before heading to the London School of Economics. Her …

Since 1969, Arles has established itself as a European focus for the art of photography. The vast Recontres d’Arles festival sprawls across town with 60 different exhibitions in museums, chapels, halls, showing the work of masters of the art – and new practitioners. It’s very inspiring – but Continue reading …

The bull running, local village fêtes, pastis and rosé drinking aren’t slowing down just yet. Here is my selection of the many events going on this month, primarily in the Bouches du Rhône region of Provence. As you can see, I’ve favoured village festivities because these are the hardest to …

Contributor blog post by Aixcentric: The lovely Canaletto exhibition at the Hotel Caumont has been extended to 20th September giving us all an extra week to enjoy these masterpieces. See review here. Next up is ‘Les Collections du Prince de Liechtenstein’ which will run from 7th November until 20th March. …

Contributor blog post by Aixcentric: Marseille-focus next weekend begins on Friday night with a special edition of Thalassa on France 3. Called Marseille plus belle la mer, it’s the first in a series of programmes celebrating Thalassa’s 40 year run. It is one of France’s oldest TV programmes. Starting at …

Contributor blog post by aixcentric: Welcome back to the blog! I hope that you have had a good, restful summer despite the high temperatures in town. No such problem in Angleterre this summer! Walking around Aix this week was lovely – I had almost forgotten how blue the sky is, …

The Jardin Remarquable label was created in 2003 to celebrate the incredible gardens of France. Meeting strict criteria these gardens are an amazing treat to visit, even for non-gardeners. Read about Ginger and Nutmeg’s first hand experience visiting one of Provence’s Jardin Remarquable gardens here: Remarkable Gardens – Jardin Remarquable in France, …

Reading MFK Fisher’s Two Towns in Provence, you might be surprised that it was written so long ago. Cours Mirabeau, the cultural center of Aix, looks much like it did when Fisher and her two daughters sought solace at Les Deux Garçons or ambled down the boulevard so many decades …