As Aixcentric followers will know, the 18th-century country house, Jas de Bouffan, which was home to the Cezanne family for 40 years, was closed over a year ago for renovation.  I went in for a visit on its last day of opening, and my goodness, it needed renovation: think cold, …

Provence in France is one of the most beautiful places in the world. Here, you can come across ancient Roman ruins, picturesque villages, and lavender fields. In this southern region, you can see the magnificent and colourful landscapes along the Mediterranean coast. The beauty of Provence inspired many famous artists. …

Join us for a road trip along the French Riviera to these must-see destinations. Welcome to the French Riviera, home to glamorous stars, sparkling water, parasols and beach loungers, and fabulous yachts. Evocative images of the Côte d’Azur exist in movies and reality. The French Riviera runs from Cassis (although …

Narrowing down the reasons to visit this corner of France to only 10 is a difficult task. Provence covers broad geography in the southeastern section of the country. It’s here where the Rhône River reaches the Mediterranean, and the Southern Alps give way to fields and beaches. The Romans left …

Spring Events in Provence Spring in Provence is absolutely lovely. As is the case with most of the year, the sun shines brightly, but expect the odd rainstorm. Moisture in this period is critical for the grapes, olives, and almonds to start their growing cycles. In March and April, expect …

Luxury Entertainment Luxury living and Provence go hand in hand: the region boasts incredible scenery, beaches, weather, food, wine, and so much more. But the area is also home to some fantastic entertainment options. If you’re looking to indulge in some of the finer things in life, here is a …

Cézanne’s Studio Like most young artists learning to paint, I was attracted to and inspired by most of the impressionistic and post-impressionistic painters. I loved the work of Monet, Renoir, Matisse, Gauguin and Cézanne and many more. When I arrived in Aix-en-Provence for the first time, I rushed up the …

The following is my review of Edith Wharton’s French Riviera, by Philippe Collas and Eric Villedary, and translated from the French by Susan Pickford.  The French title of the book was La Côte d’Azur au Temps d’Edith Wharton. Flammarion, Paris 2002. French Riviera Images When one dreams of Provence and …

In February, Author Gayle Padgett and her husband Ralph drove to the Côte d’Azur to visit friends who live near Menton.  There are many reasons to visit this coastal city. The citrus festival (Fête du Citron) is a big draw for visitors in mid-winter. The rest of the year, as …

Day Trips Around Nice Time’s a Wasting! Stop Dreaming & Start Packing for your Summer 2019 Trip to the French Riviera If you’re a regular to the French Riviera, then you already know that the hip city of Nice with seven kilometres of beaches makes a great base for exploring …