In Provence, at Christmastime, there are many holiday traditions, including nativity scenes with Santons (little saints). Santons are little clay figurines depicting the biblical characters – baby Jesus, Mary, Joseph and the Wisemen. Anyone expecting the “typical” nativity scenario might be surprised by the Provencal version with figures representing the …

Where to See Art in Provence In a place that inspired so many famous artists, including Paul Cezanne, Vincent Van Gogh, Pablo Picasso, Henri Matisse, and Nicolas de Stael, among countless others, there is no lack of opportunities to see art in Provence. We have compiled a list of places …

Provence climate is Mediterranean with warm, dry summers, primarily mild winters, and well-suited soil for vineyards, olive groves and lavender. So it’s no wonder that the wine regions of Provence are well known for producing some of the best wines in France – and around the world. The following reference …

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 …

The wonderful thing about the Provence and the Côte d’Azur is the wealth of artistic talent, historical and present day. This reference guide lists museums and art venues by department within the region. We have attempted to be as comprehensive as possible but may have missed a few and will …

After a successful run in Paris, Tintin, The Immersive Adventure will arrive at Les Baux’s Carrières des Lumières on April 15. The Carrières des Lumières, run by Culturespaces, pioneered the concept of immersive art some years ago. It has been so successful that other sites opened worldwide, in fascinating spots …

Chefs in Provence build their menus around seasonal, locally available produce, small-batch cheeses, ethically raised meats and Mediterranean seafood. However, as a visitor, knowing where to go for good value food is not always evident. So we asked the owners of Le Prieuré La Madelène for suggestions on places they …

One of the joys of visiting Provence is visiting local artisans and learning about ancient crafts, still practiced and relevant today. Lavender Wands In Les Baux de Provence, Elsa Lenthal has reignited the age-old art of “fuseaux de lavandes” (lavender wands). Perhaps because replicating an old-fashioned fuseau de lavande is …

Spring Events in Provence Springtime in Provence is lovely. As with most of the year, the sun shines brightly, but you should expect an odd rainstorm. Moisture in this period is critical for the grapes, olives, and almonds to start their growing cycles. You will see the apple, pear, apricot, …

They are finally coming. They are finally coming! After two years of travel delays and several uncelebrated milestones, most of my family arrived in the South of France to spend a week in Provence enjoying the sites, the pool and some rosé bien sûr. Now what? We were ten, aged …