Jean Leclerq and his partner Sabine are a dedicated couple who own a special place hidden in the hills behind our little village of Cotignac.  They have started our first “Safranière,” a small Saffron farm growing the most valuable spice on earth.  We were lucky enough to join them one …

In October, the Provencal sun takes its time rising above the horizon, like an old dog mentally weighing the effort of its next move. In the Jabron Valley, at 600 meters, about 10 kilometres from Sisteron, autumn mornings can be particularly frosty with single-digit temperatures. However, the saffron harvest at …

The program covers some classic Provencal dishes, but also offers a chance to discover unique wine pairings and the opportunity to meet local producers in the markets. This easy recipe for Mussels Cream Soup with Saffron and Leek comes from the kitchen at Cook’n with Class. Enjoy!

Nutmeg had a few items on her to-do list; number one was to replenish the wine stock before Ginger arrived. The challenge was making a decision in the Alpilles given the number of vineyards nearby. On this particular occasion, she chose Domaine de la Vallongue as they had reopened their boutique after …

My photo is of tulips in the Vaucluse putting on a dazzling display near Jonquieres last spring. One of the highlights of our sojourns in Provence is the different flowers through the seasons. In the spring, you can see cherry orchards in bloom in April and early May around the …

A daube is a slow-cooked stew you will find simmering at a grandmotherly pace in kitchens across France, though the best known are from southern France. Traditionally daubes can be made from lamb or beef, though one does not need to travel too far to find pork daubes, bull daubes, …

Not much has changed since the Roman era in Nîmes – fabulous monuments and good food remain central to the city’s fabric. In 1840, la Maison Carrée, a beautifully restored Roman temple, was listed as a French historic monument, and as of September 18, 2023, it is now on the …

Last year we travelled to Southern Spain. It’s hard to imagine how quickly the days have passed since that trip. This year we headed to Morocco. As always, for me, learning about food is part of our preparations for the trip. Markipedia is doing his bit to ensure we don’t …

When we first arrived in Provence, it was early October. That year delivered a relatively mild start to the month, and I honestly wasn’t focused on the flowers that came later. Cycling under sunny skies in the Camargue, we passed by rice fields that were being harvested and visited the …

Dishes such as ratatouille, pan bagnat, panisse, soup au pistou, and salade Niçoise appear on menus throughout the South of France. Many cooks have time-tested variations on these recipes, which may be delicious, but don’t quite follow the Cuisine Nissarde traditions. Although ratatouille is known around the globe, the authentic …