Steve Wilkison is a web designer, writer and photographer who lives in Vence, France, with his wife Carole Richmond and their dog Myla. Originally from southern California, he first became enchanted with France when he backpacked throughout Europe at the age of 18. He fell in love with Vence the …

Nice is a fascinating city on the beautiful French Riviera. Annexed to France from Italy in 1860, you can feel the French and Italian cultures combined, creating a unique local lifestyle. There are many reasons we love Nice, and here are our top ten. Book a Holiday Rental Near Nice …

Beautiful Bird Homes Thousands of pigeonniers, or pigeon towers, dot the landscape of the south of France. If you look for them, you will quickly realise that they come in an astonishing variety of shapes, sizes and styles. Arguably, no creature has had more beautiful homes built for it than …

Imagine a steaming bowl of French onion soup (soupe à l’oignon) with a cheesy gratin topping in a lively Parisian bistro. Today the dish is almost synonymous with the French capital, but it is entirely possible to find this soup on a menu in Provence during the colder winter months. …

Cooler weather in Provence, a touch of humidity, and maybe even some rain brings with it the promise of wild mushrooms foraged from nearby forests. However, you need to know where to look and do not expect the locals to show you where to find edible fungi. The good news …

It is common to find petits farcis, stuffed vegetables, on menus in Provence during the fall and winter months. Residents of Nice claim this dish as a local creation, part of the traditional Niçoise culinary repertoire. My versions of stuffed zucchini and baked tomatoes are suitable for vegetarian diets. These …

Holiday Traditions Christmas in Provence takes place, as in most regions of France, with family. It is a traditional holiday loaded with Christian symbols. The festivities start at the beginning of December at the time of Saint Barbara. Noël en Provence se passe, comme dans la plupart des régions de …

Holiday Markets At this time of the year, Provence experiences reasonably mild weather so the Christmas markets are usually held in the open air. Associated with the celebration of Christmas, you can find everything related to holiday celebrations and Saint-Nicolas. The Christmas markets look like real little villages. Stroll through …

Provence in Autumn Bizarrely we sense and feel the changing seasons more in Provence than we do in Devon. Back in Exeter, the proximity to the sea seems to soften the edges of summer as it shifts into autumn and likewise, autumn into winter. That’s not the case here. Today …

Have you ever tried grilled octopus? It’s a Mediterranean delicacy, and NOW is the time to be adventurous in the kitchen. This Summer salad recipe with grilled octopus is fresh, delicious, and colourful. The salade composée is a visual treat, as well as a yummy starter for your guests. My …