The writing bug struck early. Karen Aldous says that she began writing as a girl and started her first novel in her twenties. Inspired by Provence and jolted into action by a family illness she is now the author of two books The Vineyard and The Chateau. Karen Aldous lives …

By aixcentric The art world in the US is a-buzz with the discovery of a Cezanne drawing and a watercolour hidden away at the back of two pictures in the Barnes collection in Philadelphia. The drawing illustrated here is, I’m sure, the side view of Jas de Bouffan with the …

This is the third Perfectly Provence article on American artist Jill Steenhuis – you can read more on her background here and here. In this post learn about Cezanne’s artistic approach and one of his favourite spots Château Noir from Jill. Several things I learned from the Marchutz School that …

Supporting independent bookshops is a must: not only is the internet providing much competition but there are local problems too – Book In Bar has been bedevilled with roadworks outside the shop recently. Here is a list of their events this month: Creative Writing Workshop: Saturday, March the 21st, from …

Three local creatives are getting together next weekend to exhibit their work. ‘Profusion’, above, is typical of the exuberant and colourful impressionistic/abstract style of Barbara Pitcher. She works with oils, acrylics and mixed media to paint flowers and locations that resonate with her. Barbara is a Canadian/Italian who Explore this …

The French love bandes dessinées — drawn cartoons. We may call them “funnies” in the States but here they take the art form quite seriously. The graphic style is recognized and debated by art historians in France as the “Ninth Art” — a category Explore this Post  

Did you know that Thomas Jefferson was the American Minister to France when he travelled to Southern France in 1787? “Thomas Jefferson’s Journey To The South of France” a book written by Roy and Alma Moore details his travels. The publication is complete with copies of Jefferson’s letters, recent pictures …

There are a few musical events in my life that the Barefoot Blogger will always remember. The concert with Stacey Kent in the Cour du Duche high on the list. A magnificent azure sky against the yellow haze of the Chateau du Duche and a soft summer breeze made the …

The ‘Marseille Eternelle’ exhibition at the Musee Regards de Provence ends on March 1st, and if you catch this, you will also see the new ‘Lumieres du Sud’ show on the floor above. Beautiful paintings in an elegant gallery, all for 6€! Explore this Post  

February is synonymous with more than one big event; Valentine’s Day, the Oscars, Six Nations Rugby, and, if you live in Nice, Carnival. Like it, or loathe it (I’d say most residents fall into the latter camp), don’t even try to fight the Carnival. Plan your Visit to Nice’s Carnival The theme …