This post is republished from the early Barefoot Blogger archives a road trip through Provence with stops in some of the places where Vincent Van Gogh once painted. For those of you who have not followed the early adventures of the Barefoot Blogger, you will be introduced to one of the main “characters” — …

Much has been written about Vincent Van Gogh’s life, the famous Dutch painter who led an expressive, tortured life. This statue le voleur de tournesol (the Sunflower Thief) by Gabriel Sterk may just capture the essence of Van Gogh’s work – as you never quite look at sunflowers, irises, olive trees …

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 …

Arles is a city that should be on every visitor’s itinerary while in Provence. There is Roman history, contemporary architecture, museums, shopping, gourmet food, and enough grit to capture your interest. It won’t take long to understand why Vincent Van Gogh found inspiration in this one-time Roman city or why …

The city of Arles, in what is now Provence, was essential for river trade during the Roman era. The Rhône River was a major route for transporting goods in both directions on the water and then inland. Vincent van Gogh spent over a year in Arles before moving to Saint …

Carrières des Lumières, the fabulous immersive art show held inside a giant cavern near Les Baux-de-Provence, usually features a significant artist like Vincent van Gogh or Paul Cézanne. Works by the artist are displayed along with music in a brilliant choreography. But this year, the organizers decided to do something …

Jeannie and her daughter, Megan, joined Virginie for a wonderful French immersion week in Provence. They stayed in the studio Mas des Pins during their time in the region. Both mother and daughter are art lovers, so Virginie suggested visiting Arles. The text in English and French (written by Virginie’s …

Visiting Provence’s famous lavender fields is truly what dreams are made of. It’s a magical, sensory experience. You inhale the earthy fragrance filling the summer air and see the rows of deep purple flowers dancing toward the horizon. Experience the lavender plateaus and visit many remarkable sites in the South …

Arles has it all – history, contemporary architecture, museums, shopping, gourmet food and enough grit to capture your interest. Arles is considered the gateway to the Camargue wetlands and Rhône River delta. It is the last major urban centre before leaving Provence’s southwestern boundary. Below is our city guide for …

Mother Nature determines the exact timing of when the lavender fields bloom in Provence each year. However, there is a certain magic with visiting the region before the crowds arrive for summer. Typically, June is a lovely month to travel in the South of France before it gets too hot …