Lavender fields and rosé are among the hundreds of reasons to book a trip to Provence. A visit to the region often revolves around seeing all the main sights to “tick the boxes.” Don’t make that mistake! Provence is also the perfect choice for a relaxing spa break, a yoga …

Les Petit Farcis is a hearty dish often found on menus in Provence during fall and winter months. Found commonly on menus throughout the region les petits farcis originate from Niçoise cuisine.

the scent of this stew as our native Albertan bison simmers the day away in a slow cooker filled with the warmest flavours spices can impart. If you can’t access bison, as we can here in Western Canada, beef will be a wonderful substitute.

There’s a new obsession running around in my head: “visit as many of France’s ‘Les Plus Beaux Villages‘ as I possibly can.”  So far, I’ve seen only 10 out of some 156 “authentic” Les Plus Beaux Villages. I have a lot of travelling to do. Les Plus Beaux Villages There …

Great lamb is easy to find in Provence, most of which is organic, and grass-fed. This recipe, for Persian-spiced Lamb Shanks, brings together the best of this complex middle-eastern cuisine. The flavours of Persia combine sweet, sour, savoury, hot, floral, and earthy into a subtle taste explosion.

A Day in Provence On a sunny late Spring morning, we gather on the terrace of our small, boutique hotel for breakfast. Over warm, freshly baked croissants, home-made jam, fresh fruit and local cheeses our group of six (6) contemplates the day’s itinerary. The topic of our French conversation this …

France’s Rhône River runs north to south, beginning in the Swiss Alps and eventually finding its way to the Mediterranean Sea. Populating its banks are world-renowned vineyards, divided into Northern and Southern designations, the latter of which includes the Lirac Cru. In a valley where wines are classified by region – not …

This article was previously published on Marjorie R. Williams website “Exploring the World of Food, Antiques and Crafts. “Provence as Seen by (and with!) Martine Bertin-Peterson” I recently had the opportunity to interview Martine Bertin-Peterson, founder of the culinary travel adventure company Goût et Voyage. Martine escorts tours to Provence, Tuscany and …

“The Allure of Provence and its Wines” was previously published in Culinaire Magazine (June 2016). This updated article includes additional reading, travel tips, and details on wine colour production and terminology. Mention Provence to a friend and they likely have a mental image that involves cobalt skies, cicadas and lavender …

Tucked away in a small hilltop village overlooking a landscape of vineyards and olive groves, lying in the shadow of Mont Ventoux, and practically bordering the villages of the Côtes du Rhône appellation is an intimate gem of a resort intertwined in the streets of the village. Hotel Crillon le …