Nice's Cathedral Russian France
InspireKeith Van SickleProvencal History & Traditions

Nice’s Cathedral the Most Russian Spot in France

There are so many fun things to do in Nice—you can walk along the Promenade des Anglais, enjoy the view from one of those famous blue chairs, and dig into a salade niçoise at a café in the Old Town. Now here’s one to add to your list: visit the …

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Pilgrimage Sacred Sites France Largest Black Madonna in the World Saint Jean Cap Ferrat
Carolyne Kauser-AbbottInspireProvencal History & Traditions

Author’s Pilgrimage Discovering Sacred Sites in France

Based in the United States, author Raylene Abbott’s work surrounds spiritual training with mentors from Native American and other sacred backgrounds. Her studies of the Black Madonna began in 1992 and eventually led to a lengthy stay in France where she traced religious pilgrimage routes. In 2014, she discovered her …

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Molinari sardine Two Famous Marseille Expressions
InspireKeith Van SickleProvencal History & Traditions

Two Famous Marseille Expressions

“C’est la sardine qui a bouché le port de Marseille!” (A sardine blocked Marseille’s port!) This local saying is famous throughout France. Another that is less well-known is “Chercher Molinari” (look for Molinari). Both expressions, curiously, come from the same famous disaster that took place in the 18th century. The …

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Jean Moulin French Resistance
Carolyne Kauser-AbbottInspireProvencal History & Traditions

Who Was Jean Moulin French Resistance Leader?

World War II France Jean Moulin is not a familiar name to those, like myself, who only took basic history courses in school. Our overview of World War II never mentioned this wartime hero. Once we began spending time in the Alpilles and noticed the Route Jean Moulin road signs, …

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Santons Christmas Provence Creche Scene
Guest PostInspireProvencal History & Traditions

Santons the Signs of Christmas in Provence

This guest post about the Santons and Christmas in Provence comes from Marie-Helene, the co-founder of the online store Remember Provence. They curate Provencal-themed housewares, gift items and culinary ingredients and ship to customers around the world. Remember Provence represents only high-quality products produced traditionally. Please follow this link to …

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Vallauris Pottery French Riviera Tian Dish
Carolyne Kauser-AbbottInspireProvencal History & Traditions

Vallauris the Centre for Pottery on the French Riviera

The following article is a re-post of the original written by Marie-Helene the owner of online boutique Remember Provence. She spends her days, filling orders for made-in-Provence artisan products that are shipped all over the world. When she is not busy packaging orders, Marie-Helene is searching the region for high-quality …

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La Marseillaise French National Anthem
InspireMargo LestzProvencal History & Traditions

French National Anthem La Marseillaise the History of the Song

Contributor blog post by Margo Lestz: It took a Revolution France’s rousing national anthem, the Marseillaise, was written during the French Revolution. In 1792 the Revolution was in full swing, and all the monarchies of Europe were nervous. It made them uneasy to see people rise up against a king, and it was …

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Les Chorégies d'Orange opera orchestra
Carolyne Kauser-AbbottInspireProvencal History & Traditions

Les Chorégies d’Orange Opera in a Roman Theatre

Les Chorégies d’Orange opera starts late, as the summer sun is setting, allowing the heat of the day to dissipate. With the night sky advancing the audience in the old Roman theatre – Théâtre Antique d’Orange – is filled with anticipation of a spectacular production. Orange, a Roman Town Today, …

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Guide Chateaux Alpilles Castles les Baux de Provence Guide Chateaux Alpilles
InspireKeith Van SickleProvencal History & Traditions

A Guide to the Chateaux of the Alpilles Hilltop Castles

Chateaux Guide the Alpilles Castles If you’ve spent time in the Alpilles, the small mountain range near St-Rémy-de-Provence, you’ve probably spotted a medieval chateau or two. Some are hard to miss, like the magnificent chateau and fortified city of Les Baux. Others are little more than piles of rubble. The …

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Mur de la Pest Plague Wall Provence Peste
InspireKeith Van SickleProvencal History & Traditions

The Plague Wall of Provence – Mur de la Peste

Provence’s Plague Wall When most people hear of “the Plague,” they shudder and think of the Black Death that killed nearly a third of Europe’s population in the 1300’s. But did you know that as late as 1720 an outbreak in Provence took the lives over 100,000 people? And that …

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