Download Our Spring Menu Collection

This collection features 19 recipes, with seasonal ingredients such as artichokes, asparagus, lamb, and strawberries. We hope these recipes inspire you to curate menus for dinner parties, luncheons, cocktail parties, and family meals.

Getting Lost in Arles a Guided Tour

Carolyne Kauser-Abbott · Explore · Guided Holiday Tours

We had barely walked 3km from our meeting point, but we were utterly lost in the architecture and history of Arles. My husband and I were in Arles for our annual trip to the sous-prefecture to request the forms for the renewal of our long-stay visas. This process involves getting up early (which he hates), standing in a cattle queue for the doors to open (he doesn’t like that either), getting a ticket to indicate our approximate place within the masses and WAITING…

Essentially, it is as close to the red-hot gates of Hell as he wants to get.

Usually, we reward ourselves with a tour of the Rencontres d’Arles photo exhibit. This year I asked Heather Robinson if she would give is a “Lost in Arles” guided tour instead.

Heather Robinson @LostinArles @HeatherRobinson

Heather followed a handsome French photographer (Rémi Benali) to France some 14+ years ago. It was definitely for love as she left behind a theatre-based acting career in Manhattan and embarked on a journey to a country she did not know and a language she did not speak. Heather and Rémi launched themselves into a joint venture that only a dream team couple of writer and photographer could do. They travelled all over the world to deliver 30 stories for the magazine “Grands Reportages” (and many others) typically focused on tribes, traditions or UNESCO World Heritage sites.

These road warriors were on their way back to Paris (home base at the time) from a photojournalism festival in Perpignan in 2003 when they stopped in Arles. One perfect September night was all it took for them to decide to pull up roots in the capital city and move to Arles. You can read the full story in Heather’s blog post here.

Colours of Arles #Arles Heather Robinson @LostinArles @HeatherRobinson

Heather admits she might have been eavesdropping while she walked her dogs.

It was those large tour groups with their guides dishing out varying degrees of facts and misinformation that convinced Heather that she should start her walking tours of Arles. Heather started her blog Lost in Arles in 2010 as a creative outlet. The realities of well-paid media articles had dried up across the globe, changing the couple’s focus to seeking opportunities closer to home. Published in National Geographic (April 2014) “The Romans in France” Remi’s photos complimented this article on Roman treasures recuperated from the Rhone River in Arles.

Heather began her walking tours after a little coaxing from friends. Her small group (2-6 person) tours run 2-3 hours in the historic centre of Arles. Heather uses her training as an actress to remember an incredible depth of facts about her adopted city. From Roman days, through the Middle Ages. From Arles’ glory days as a seaport to desperation caused by the plague. From art to fashion to the future, Heather covers 2000+ years of Arles history in a short block of time.

Here is how Heather describes her tours:

I give private, in-depth guided walks through the Centre Historique – but also down its quiet side streets where its best patinas are on display. There are 2000 years of living, breathing history and culture in Arles – from the majestic Roman and Romanesque monuments (the reason why Arles is a UNESCO World Heritage Site), to the secrets of the Rhone River and the rather remarkable legacy left behind by Vincent Van Gogh. My main hope is to try and make that come alive for my clients.

To book one of Heather’s tours you can email her at robinsonheather@yahoo.com.

Photo credits: All images were provided by and published with the permission of Heather Robinson.

Please share this with friends and family.
Explore France
, , , , , ,
Legal
All rights reserved. Perfectly Provence articles and other content may not be published, broadcast, rewritten (including translations into other languages) or redistributed without written permission. For usage information, please contact us.
Syndication Information
 
Affiliate Information
As an Amazon Associate, this website earns from qualifying purchases. Some recipes, posts and pages may have affiliate links. If you purchase via these links, we receive a small commission that does not impact your price. Thank you in advance for supporting our work to maintain Perfectly Provence.

Related Provence Articles

Artists Inspired by Provence · Carolyne Kauser-Abbott · Inspire

Why Art Lovers Need to Visit Provence: Cézanne 2025 Celebration

June 6, 2025
The following article highlights some Cézanne 2025 celebration events in Aix-en-Provence. In addition, see the “reading list” for some books that provide more detail on the famous artist and his life in Provence. A native of Aix-en-Provence, Paul Cézanne (1839 – 1906) became one of the most globally recognized post-impressionist ...
Continue Reading
Christine van der Linden · Explore · Hans Zeegers · Provencal Recipes · Villages Towns and Cities

Antibes: A Timeless Treasure on the Côte d’Azur

June 5, 2025
Nestled between the Mediterranean Sea’s azure waters and Provence’s rolling hills lies Antibes, a gem of the French Riviera that enchants visitors with its irresistible blend of history, art, and culinary traditions. A Journey Through the Centuries As you wander through the narrow, cobblestone streets of the old town, you ...
Continue Reading
Artists Inspired by Provence · Carolyne Kauser-Abbott · Inspire

L’Espace Entre Deux: An Unmissable Art Exhibition in Eygalières, Provence

May 28, 2025
From June 7 to 22, 2025, in the Alpilles village of Eygalières, the 12th-century Église St Laurent comes alive, hosting ‘L’Espace Entre Deux.’ This exhibition, ‘The Space in Between’, showcases the creativity of 20 acclaimed UK artists, captivating art lovers with a stunning array of portraiture and figurative works. Collaborative ...
Continue Reading
blank

Carolyne Kauser-Abbott

With her camera and laptop close at hand, Carolyne has traded in her business suits for the world of freelance writing and blogging. Her first airplane ride at six months of age was her introduction to the exciting world of travel.

While in Provence, Carolyne can be found hiking with friends, riding the hills around the Alpilles or tackling Mont Ventoux. Her attachment to the region resonates in Perfectly Provence this digital magazine that she launched in 2014. This website is an opportunity to explore the best of the Mediterranean lifestyle (food & wine, places to stay, expat stories, books on the region, travel tips, real estate tips and more), through our contributors' articles.

Carolyne writes a food and travel blog Ginger and Nutmeg. Carolyne’s freelance articles can be found in Global Living Magazine, Avenue Magazine and City Palate (Published Travel Articles).

No Comment

Leave a reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *


The reCAPTCHA verification period has expired. Please reload the page.

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.