New Book by Patricia Sands “Families come in all shapes and sizes.” This phrase, spoken by one the women in Patricia Sands’ new novella, is a good summary of what this lovely book is about. And what families they are!—united by love, friendship, and sometimes even biology. Sands shows us …

A Guide to Lavender in Provence You either love lavender or you hate it. The essence is used for insomnia, headaches, to cleanse cuts or insect bites, deter mosquitoes and more. Despite its uses though, there’s no denying that it’s absolutely stunning in the plant form, and oh so iconic …

When the lavender is harvested in Provence at the end of July, a heavenly scent is carried on warm evening breezes. Alerted by the first wafts of perfumed air, from our terrace we can sometimes see the smoke rising from the other side of a small ridge. The distillation has …

Lavender is the purple beauty of Provence; it is a big industry in France and the key to essential oil production. Tourists and locals flock to see the fields in full blooming glory. The timeframe changes annually depending on weather, but typically some fields are ready by late June, and …

Situated in the Bouches du Rhône, Aix-en-Provence may lack Marseille’s waterfront and beaches, but the beauty of Aix more than makes up for it. A day is hardly long enough to appreciate a city that began as a Roman settlement over 2,000 years ago. But it is possible with our …

Martine and George Greenlee arrived in Provence for a one-year trial – several years ago! It took time to decide that Reillanne, in the Luberon Valley, was the place that they wanted to live. Reillanne ticked all the boxes, and they bought a home in 2016 – it’s close to …

Relocating to the South of France is often a lifestyle choice, for those seeking a milder climate and slower pace of life. However, it is not every couple who willingly choose to spend their semi-retirement years managing a boutique, 5-bedroom B&B in a new country. In December 2010, Jane and …

Last year, we enjoyed a mild autumn in Provence, which is not always the case in the South of France. The pleasant temperatures meant we could get out cycling and for long walks. It also allowed us to visit some of our favourite brocantes and the semi-annual Antiques, Art, and …

Fall in Provence can be strange and wonderful. We seemed to skip right from summer to autumn in a day, then thankfully recovered a little bit since the beginning of October. On the other hand, I always get rather down when the temperatures dip and the days become shorter; this …

Festivals and Fall Events in Provence As the temperatures drop in Provence during the autumn, restaurant menus move towards heartier dishes. Enjoy meat (lamb, wild boar, taureaux, rabbit, fowl) slow-roasted with herbes de Provence and seasonal root vegetables. These recipes pair well with well-balanced red wine blends from the Rhône …