The Essence of Provence: the Story of L’Occitane, by Pierre Magnan, translated from the original French L’Occitane: une histoire vraie, Denoël, Paris, France, 2001, by Richard Seaver, Arcade Publishing, New York, 2nd edition, 2012. Book Review by Mary-Jane Deeb About the Author Pierre Magnan (1922-2012) was a prolific French writer …

Provence is a buffet for food lovers. There are markets every day of the week. Chefs find inspiration in seasonal fruit and vegetables, Mediterranean seafood, and free-range lamb. A suitable climate and good soil mean an array of locally produced almonds, cheese, wine, olives and olive oil. In the spring …

The Luberon region in the Provence-Alpes-Côte d’Azur region of southern France is known for its picturesque villages and stunning natural beauty. These nine (9) villages are considered must-sees in the Luberon Valley: Ansouis You’ll find the village of Ansouis tucked inside the Parc naturel regional du Luberon. It is built …

Explore the Var The Var is a large geographical and administrative department in Provence. It includes varied terrain from seaside towns to the Îles d’Hyères Archipelago (including Porquerolles) to France’s Grand Canyon – the Gorges de Verdon. From the Mediterranean to the foothills of the Southern Alps, this region offers …

Chefs in Provence build their menus around seasonal, locally available produce, small-batch cheeses, ethically raised meats and Mediterranean seafood. However, as a visitor, knowing where to go for good value food is not always evident. So we asked the owners of Le Prieuré La Madelène for suggestions on places they …

Fall in Provence is a magical season. With the summer holidays over, the region feels calmer, and the seasonal colours make for stunning backdrops. Emily Durand, the founder of Your Private Provence, a small group tour operator, has designed an exceptional autumn adventure called “October in Provence,” which strikes a …

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 …

Recently, I’ve seen quite a few questions about whether it’s possible to visit the Luberon without coming by car. The queries range from how to get to the area from airports across France to whether it’s possible to explore once they arrive. The simple answer to them all is yes. …

When you come to Provence, a whole universe of new horizons and new flavours is available. Among these flavours, I invite you to discover the calisson, the tarte tropézienne and Pastis. Pastis is the undisputed drink of choice in the South of France. Quand vous viendrez en Provence, un univers …

Le Prieuré La Madelène Bed and Breakfast (B&B) is the site of a former 12th-century Benedictine monastery nestled just outside the village of Malaucène at the foot of Mont Ventoux. This B&B with five (5) guestrooms and a private cottage (gîte) is a few minutes from Vaison La Romaine. Surrounded …