In Provence, recipes change in concert with the seasons, matching available ingredients and the temperatures. In larger centres like Aix-en-Provence, Avignon and Marseille, the daily markets inspire professional chefs and anyone cooking dinner at home. The classic French onion might spring to mind when you think of French soups, but …

2024 is the year of Marcel Pagnol in Provence, marking the 50th anniversary of his death in 1974. Several special events will be held throughout the year to celebrate the life and works of this brilliant author and filmmaker. Pagnol Celebrations The festivities begin in Aubagne on February 28, Pagnol’s …

Not everyone can stick with a creative project for over twenty years, but Kristin Espinasse is one of those people. She has been writing her blog, “French Word a Day,” since 2002. In addition, she has published two books, including Blossoming in Provence (2011). I was thrilled to receive a …

When you think of a golfing holiday, Provence may not be the place that first springs to mind. Perhaps it’s Scotland or Ireland that you think of first. While we agree that golf may have been invented in Scotland, and almost any golfer would love to play at the Old …

Many people think of Provence in the summer with its lavender fields, sunflowers, chilled rosé and swimming pools. I invite you to explore my winter travel ideas for those months in Provence. The text below appears in English first, followed by French for those trying to improve their language skills. …

Yesterday we awoke to freezing temperatures in Provence with bright blue skies and decided that it was far too cold for a bike ride, so instead, we would take Millie on a walk that we hadn’t done before. I know I have mentioned the fantastic walks here in previous posts, …

As a family, we always had a creche at Christmastime. Saying it was handmade makes it sound like a professional job. However, it was anything but rather the result of a haphazard artistic collaboration between my brother and me. Somehow that creche has stood the test of time, and my …

Holiday Shopping Made Easy Are you shopping for book lovers? Here is our 2023 holiday gift guide for books from Provence for those on your list who love reading, travelling, and dreaming of France. These books are for anyone who wants a literary “dose” of Provence. Whether you have visited …

 Winter Festivals and Events in Provence So many images of the Provence and the Côte d’Azur are summer scenes with ribbons of blooming lavender fields, glasses of rosé with beads of condensation, and beautiful people in straw hats enjoying their holidays. Perhaps wintertime in Provence garners less attention, but it’s …

Established in 2007, the Parc Naturel Régional des Alpilles covers the mountain range and its flanks. As a protected natural area, there are restrictions on construction and park usage. However, the artifacts from human settlements discovered in these hills date back to the Neolithic era, and the range is the …