What should I take home from Provence? Expect a sensory overload on your first (and every) visit to Provence. In mid-summer, purple-blue lavender rows contour the landscape. Market stalls brim with seasonal produce from blood-red cherries in the spring to the makings for ratatouille in late summer. Then there is …

In recent years, my husband, Alain Poirot, discovered a passion for photography. Although he has travelled extensively, one of the many benefits of living in Provence is that nature is literally outside our door. Nature Nearby Photographic passion is a little more than the iPhone snap. It means making multiple …

It was 2015 when an opportunity dangled in front of Jill Douglas’s painting easel in Los Angeles. Could she help out for a few months at Atelier Fourwinds, an artist’s retreat, in the Alpilles village of Aureille? Born in England, life took Jill to France and then to Southern California …

A Week in Provence Key to a great holiday in Provence (or anywhere) is striking a balance between activity and downtime. We have been fortunate to have many friends visit the region. Of course, we like to think it all about us, but the reality is Provence is magnetic. After …

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.

Yoga in Provence La Belle Vie yoga retreat was in my calendar, but when the weekend finally arrived I was rushed, juggling life. As Pradeep Teotia began his class with his signature “Welcome Home,” all thoughts of my to-do list fell away. The warmth in the room embraced my soul, …

Showcasing Alpilles Craftsmanship It could only be serendipity that Le Savoir Faire des Alpilles, a boutique showcasing the designs of local artisans, is across the street from the administrative offices of the Parc Naturel Régional des Alpilles. Both groups actively promote the beauty, traditions and natural environment of the small …

Festivals and Fall Events in Provence Fall in Provence directs you towards a heartier menu. Enjoy meat (lamb, wild boar, taureaux, rabbit, fowl) roasted with herbes de Provence, root vegetables and delicious red wine blends. At this time of year, the hiking is fabulous, biking is possible, and golfers might …

Provencal Dreams Come True My most ardent life dream has always been to live and teach art in France. Just like my favourite art masters, many of my creative inspirations have come from my art sabbaticals to Europe. I fell in love with France at a young age, my very …

Yoga Retreat in Provence La Belle Vie team is back for a September yoga retreat in St Remy de Provence from September 20-26, 2019. The peaceful setting at Mas de l’Amarine remains the anchor for the yoga program. Building on the success of their retreat in October 2018, the itinerary …