Is Provence a good place to visit as a Ukrainian? You bet it is! What’s not to love about a region packed with good wine, fascinating history, ancient ruins, incredible scenery, art… You name it, Provence has it. From its idyllic Mediterranean beaches to the slopes of the Southern Alps, …

Cocoa and Lavender reached a milestone 10th birthday in February – 10 years and over 500 recipes published. At the beginning, I had no idea what to write. I had never taken a food photo, not even surreptitiously in a restaurant. I didn’t have a clue about how blogs work. …

Enamoured with Provence, Caroline Longstaffe is one of our regular contributors. Her blog, Shutters and Sunflowers, is about passion, living the journey and not waiting to get to the destination. A traveller at heart, Caroline says she was most probably born under a wandering star. Born in England, she lives …

Spicy Spring Menu This Provencal spring menu showcases the spices and recipes from the trade route. Pepper and curry flavours from India, Spain’s iconic paella, and aromas from North Africa and the Middle East. Enjoy! Provence and the Spice Route Food encodes social, political, and economic history, often in fascinating …

Alexis Steinman is an American, an explorer and a storyteller who has chosen to live in Marseille. Fully bilingual, Alexis settled in Marseille in September 2017. The city continues to feeds her curiosity and her stomach. For this talented writer, the port city offers endless opportunities to share the stories …

Though Marseille is technically the capital of Provence, it feels more Mediterranean than French.  The vibrant port city is also wonderfully cosmopolitan due to the many cultures that have washed up on its shores throughout its 2600 years. It boasts the biggest Armenian community in Europe, has the continent’s 3rd …

It is impossible to visit a market in Provence without seeing sellers of tablecloths, napkins, and other items for home decor. As a word of warning, beware of quality and place of origin as you may not be buying made-in-Provence products. The original printed Provencal fabrics were called les Indiennes. …

A visit to beautiful Aix-en-Provence – the city of art and water – should be on every visitor’s agenda. Founded by the Romans, this city has a remarkable history in the region. Only traces remain of this once crucial Roman settlement remain, but if you know where to look, there …

Admittedly, my (old) view of Marseille came from mob and war stories in books, on TV and movies. Now after visiting the city, I’m impressed. To me, Marseille’s story is one of resilience. It shows how perseverance conquers adversity. Marseille’s Story: Prehistory and Ancient Massalia The earliest settlements in the …

Marseille Fish Soup – Soupe de Poissons You will want to make a big batch and freeze what you don’t eat. Making fish soup at home can be a very messy, labor-intensive process.