On May 8, 2024, the Olympic Torch Relay begins in Marseille before heading around France toward its destination at the opening ceremony in Paris for the XXXIII Olympiad. It’s fitting that the Olympic Flame will arrive on French soil in – Massalia (ΜΑΣΣΑΛΙΑ) – the city the Greeks founded in …

Festivals and Fall Events in Provence As the temperatures drop in Provence during the autumn, restaurant menus move towards heartier dishes. Enjoy meat (lamb, wild boar, taureaux, rabbit, fowl) slow-roasted with herbes de Provence and seasonal root vegetables. These recipes pair well with well-balanced red wine blends from the Rhône …

What’s On in the South of France? During the summer in Provence and the Côte d’Azur, daytime temperatures range from warm to hot. So, you don’t need an excuse to laze by the pool. The lavender is in bloom this time of year, and the sunflowers put on a spectacular …

After a successful run in Paris, Tintin, The Immersive Adventure will arrive at Les Baux’s Carrières des Lumières on April 15. The Carrières des Lumières, run by Culturespaces, pioneered the concept of immersive art some years ago. It has been so successful that other sites opened worldwide, in fascinating spots …

Michelangelo’s Sistine Chapel: The Exhibition brings 34 life-sized photos of his Sistine Chapel ceiling, one of mankind’s most outstanding artistic achievements, up close for what organizers call a ‘never-before-seen perspective.’ The location in Marseille is the Palais de la Bourse, down at the bottom of the Canebière. It is the …

Spring Events in Provence Springtime in Provence is lovely. As with most of the year, the sun shines brightly, but you should expect an odd rainstorm. Moisture in this period is critical for the grapes, olives, and almonds to start their growing cycles. You will see the apple, pear, apricot, …

This year’s main program at Carrières des Lumières (“Quarries of Light”) in Les Baux de Provence is “From Vermeer to Van Gogh, The Dutch Masters.” The works of Johannes Vermeer and Vincent Van Gogh will be featured, along with a series of painters from the Dutch Golden Age. Some of …

The Grotte Chauvet 2 is one of the wonders of France. Called “the cave of forgotten dreams,” it is the near-perfect replica of a cave filled with paintings made more than 30,000 years ago—the oldest ever discovered. Not only is the art recreated, but the entire cave is replicated down …

As is the case, there are almost too many choices for art exhibits in Provence. The following list is not exhaustive, but some 2023 shows in Marseille’s museums and beyond. Let’s start in Marseille, where MUCEM continues with ‘Amités, creativité, collective’ until 13 February. Next up is ‘Alexandrie: Futurs anterieurs’ …

Winter Festivals and Events in Provence Winter in Provence. What are the colder months like in the South of France? Is it a good time to visit? So many images of the Provence and the Côte d’Azur are summer scenes with ribbons of blooming lavender fields, glasses of rosé with …