Rubbing shoulders with royalty last evening…but actually to find out more about Queen Yolande, the subject of a book and talk by HRH Princess Michael of Kent. Born in 1380 to the king of Aragon, Yolande was married to the Louis II of the house of Anjou, and ruler.

Provence captures people with its amazing charms, and hidden adventures as soon as they arrive in this magical region of southern France. This is just the kind of place where you are not sure how the transformation happened, but all of a sudden you are a fan. Explore – Taste – …

Virtually every time there are ‘travaux‘ in Aix, the archaeologists who precede the bulldozers unearth Roman pottery, statues, funeral urns, drainage systems and stretches of road. Over the years there have been small displays, but the next exhibition at the Musée Granet.

Next weekend (11th and 12th October) sees the annual Fete de la Courge in Rians in the Var, and it is one of my favourite village festivals: mainly as it is so very un-English. It is an excellent opportunity to see a work-a-day Provencal village, totally non-touristy, celebrating local produce.

What a great painting. I’ve never heard of James Cochran but can’t wait to get myself along to La Galerie Maison Dauphine to see this new expo, ‘Au Coeur de la Rue’. Tucked away in the Quartier Mazarin, this is an innovative gallery. The show is on until October 18th.

Endless shopping in Provence from traditional handicrafts to markets…

L’Isle Sur la Sorgue is now one of my “best favorite places”to visit and to show off to guests who want to wander through Provence Explore this Post

I’m deliberately attending as many types of events that feature bulls as the main attraction as possible. It’s becoming an obsession. Explore this Post  

Provencal postcards are dominated by fields of purple-lavender rows, stoic sunflowers against cobalt-sky backdrops, gnarled grapevines burdened with ripening fruit and endless groves of olive trees. It is highly unlikely that demons, demigods, bat caves and sorcery are images that pop into your mind when a friend says they are going to …

As published in France Today There’s a dress shop in the village square of my adopted home in France where finding what’s new in fall fashions takes you back a century or two. A visit to the store reminds you of rummaging through your grandmother’s closet, or uncovering […] Explore …