When you think of travelling and a great vacation, chances are you’re looking forward to the food. However, just because you are on holiday in Provence does not mean you should consume foods that will leave you feeling bloated and tired. When you make better food choices, you’ll enjoy your …

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Last year, we hosted the Gemma Wade of “You Say Tomato Cooking” (meal planning, recipes, cooking classes and more) here in Cotignac. Gemma is a talented cook, turns fresh, basic ingredients into delicious dishes with ease. She was impressed by our Tuesday morning farmer’s market in Cotignac, one of five …

I’m often asked why I called my blog ‘Shutters and Sunflowers.’ To me, they are both so defining of Provence and indeed much of France. Throughout this beautiful country, many of the buildings, whether historic or recently built, are adorned with shutters. And in the summertime, everywhere but especially in …

Although paella is considered a Spanish dish it is very common to find it at markets in Provence. The vendor cooks up their version of this hearty rice dish in a paellera. The exact cooking time will depend on your ingredients and how long the rice takes to cook.

Provence Living Feature The Road to Rosé with text by Jeany Cronk of Mirabeau Wine and photos by Sophie Bellard was published in the July/August 2019 edition of My French Country Home – Magazine. The article (below) is reproduced with the permission of Sharon Santoni, the creator of this beautiful magazine. …

Just 10 minutes down the road from Cotignac is the charming village of Carcès, home to the stunning Lac de Carcès. The views are simply breathtaking and you don’t find many more romantic spots to watch a sunset in the area. But today I wasn’t after of romance. I wanted …

In a climate where fennel grows wild and, olive oil production is big business this tangy salad is a tribute to the landscape. This citrus salad incorporates many ingredients native to the South of France and the Mediterranean Basin. Gemma Wade prepared this salad as a side dish for the Easter lunch menu

Provence Food Trucks When you think of Provence, it’s unlikely that a food truck is a culinary image that springs to mind. However, the number of food trucks in the region is exploding. Most of these trucks are mobile, available to travel to private venues, public gatherings, markets and festivals. …

This guest post is by Susana Iwase Hanson, the founder of Provence Living Cotignac.  Susana is multi-talented and tri-lingual. She lives with her family in the Var in the beautiful, rural village of Cotignac (read more about her interesting backstory here). But after living on many continents, big city living …