When students join me in Provence for a French immersion stay, I want to make sure that they improve their language skills and also get a chance to visit the region. Below are a few excursions from Aix-en-Provence that I have taken with students during their visits. Some of these …

Marseille, France’s second-largest city, might not have an Eiffel Tower, but it has beaches, sunny skies, and fresh Mediterranean rockfish for its signature dish, bouillabaisse. But where should you go to eat bouillabaisse in Marseille? However, bouillabaisse is a culinary dish with a humble past that now has a quality …

Would you like a delicious, authentic Provençal meal in a relaxed atmosphere? How about a big platter of steamed fish and vegetables plus a side of that garlicky Provençal mayonnaise called aïoli? Or some lamb shoulder that’s been cooked for hours so that it practically melts in your mouth? Or …

Access to the Calanques National Park is controlled this summer due to damage to the ecosystem caused by the burgeoning numbers of visitors and increasing fire risks.  The Calanque de Sugiton, which used to attract up to 2,500 people daily, is limited to 400 entries in peak season. Pre-booking one …

Cosquer Mediterranée recreates the prehistoric cave paintings which exist 35 metres below sea level near Marseille in an underwater labyrinth investigated by speleologist Henri Cosquer. Of course, 20,000 years ago, the cave-dwellers could wander in and out of these dwellings where they drew the wildlife of their habitat: sea animals, …

Bouillabaisse is Marseille’s signature dish. However, a bit like the city that proclaims to be its birthplace, bouillabaisse is a riddle. Is it a stew or a soup? Is it a noble dish or peasant food? Was it created by the invading Greeks or by hungry fishermen? Is it even …

This article was originally published (in French) in Fine Bouches Magazine, a magazine for lovers of high-quality foods and wines. Seaside Cassis Wines Cassis is the most beautiful AOC (appellation d’origine contrôlée) in France: the vineyards cling to the slopes of a magical amphitheatre that plunges towards the shimmering Mediterranean. …

The following guest article by French Waterways, “18 Foodie Treats to Eat in Provence,” is republished below with permission. We have added links to recipes for these Provencal favourites. If you are looking for cruising inspiration and information, french-waterways.com is the world’s most comprehensive and best-loved source of inspiration and …

Provencal Cookbooks, Culinary and Wine Guides These titles are a mix of traditional cookbooks and culinary guides to the Provencal lifestyle. The following list of books is far from exhaustive, but rather a few of the ones in our personal collection. Some are cookbooks, some are culinary guides to the …

I  am deeply moved by Jean-Andre Charial’s philosophical book “Lunch in Provence.” More correctly, it strengthened my conviction that the foundation of great food lies not only in the provenance of ingredients and simplicity of preparation but in emotion and passion while enjoying it. Charial spoke of lovely, outdoor makeshift lunches where just-picked …