Considered the gateway city to the Camargue, Arles has it all – history, shopping, gourmet food and enough grit to capture your interest. Here are some of the top reasons to visit Arles: Artsy Arles Frank Gehry designed Luma Arles, opened in June 2021, a project commissioned by local philanthropist …

I discovered some interesting information online about a dig that has been progressing at Trinquetaille, on the opposite bank of the Rhône River (from Arles). Underneath an 18th-century glassworks, now a ‘monument historique,’ they have uncovered a group of Roman houses, many with mosaic floors.  The fresco in the illustration …

The development of the old SNCF railway sheds and shunting yards into LUMA Arles, a stylish arts centre, funded by Swiss industrialist and art-lover Maja Hoffman. Hopefully, the photo gives you an idea of the scale of the ‘Parc des Ateliers’ site: the large building with the blue-grey roof was …

A Long Olive Story It has been almost 100-years since Jean Martin founded his company in the village of Maussane. In 1920, this town on the southern flank of the Alpilles range had a population of just over 1200 people. When M. Martin senior launched his business of preserving and …

At first glance, one might think nothing much has changed at Ateliers Fourwinds since my last visit four years ago. Which, is exactly what the new partners want for this artistic workshop (atelier) space with its natural vistas of the Alpilles. Their desire was to breathe new artistic energy into this …

Just tell me there’s a bullfight close to Uzes, and I’m there. As usual, there’s always a party that makes the corrida even more fun. Arles, a town less than an hour down the road that’s mostly famous for being one of Van Gogh’s “hangouts”. The Feria du Riz, the …

Is there something in the Provencal air, in the water, or is it in the earth? Provence’s ceramics industry is a vibrant and integral part of the region’s cultural and economic landscape. It blends traditional craftsmanship with modern innovation, contributing significantly to local heritage and the economy. Below, we explore …

Below is our visitor’s guide to help you discover some of Provence’s ceramics and pottery artists. The page is organized alphabetically by department within the region. We have included the artists we know and some galleries and museums worth visiting. Please feel free to send us any suggestions so we …

The artists and artisans of Forcalquier open their doors for the ninth edition of Ateliers Ouverts from July 29th through August 1st, 2022. Les Ateliers Ouverts Truly a celebration of creativity, the event takes place throughout the town with street entertainment, outdoor photo displays and art shown in galleries, shop …

St Francis and the Provencal Creche The traditional French nativity scene that represents the story of the birth of Jesus is essentially a Provençal tradition, but it has a long history that began in Italy. In 1223, in Greccio, St. Francis of Assisi is said to have created the first …