David & Karen TaylorInspireShopping & Gifts

Bustling Crowd for Antiques at l’Isle sur la Sorgue Market

Contributor blog post by David Taylor: L’Isle sur la Sorgue is not only the Venice of Provence with the river Sorgue running through the town but it is also the antique capital of Provence with its weekly market. Last Sunday, the …Continue reading here Via:: Accommodation in Provence

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Visit Arles Provence @LostinArles @HeatherRobinson
Carolyne Kauser-AbbottExploreLocals Travel Tips

Ask a Local: Why Visit Arles?

Much like her decision to follow a good looking French photographer to his native land. The couple were struck by a coup de coeur (love struck) when they spent one fateful night in Arles in 2003. You can read the full story in Heather’s blog post here. Whether you are …

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Provence Villages Saorge #Saorge @unxplorer
Rental & Self-Catered Properties in ProvenceStay: Accommodation & Rentals in Provence

Saorge: A Little Mountain Town with a Big Heart

After spending four weeks in a tiny town in Provence near Aix, my husband, son, and I decided for a change of scenery. We packed up our many, many suitcases into a clown car-sized Peugeot, and drove two hours northeast to the picturesque mountain town of Saorge. I’m willing to …

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Savoury Shortbread Olives Provence @PerfProvence
AppetizerProvencal RecipesTaste

Savoury Shortbread Recipe by Elizabeth Bard

This easy appetizer comes from Elizabeth Bard’s latest book, Picnic in Provence: A Memoir with Recipes. The recipe combines Provençal flavours of rosemary and olive into a delicious savoury shortbread. The author has permission to publish the recipe. I have a real affection for the sandy-textured cookies called biscuits sablés. …

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Pesto & PistouProvencal RecipesTaste

Black olives, rosemary and a little preserved lemon

Last summer, on a wine-tasting visit to Bellet in the hills above Nice, I tasted and bought some of Domaine de la Source’s delicious pâte d’olives made with the local chillier black olives.   The French term for this little treat in a jar translates into English as the somewhat …

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Where to stay in #Provence #AixenProvence @unxplorer
Bed & Breakfasts in ProvenceRental & Self-Catered Properties in ProvenceStay: Accommodation & Rentals in Provence

City, Beach, or Small Town: Where to Stay in Provence

Before my recent trip to Provence, I didn’t know much about the area other than it was known for its lavender and pastis. It’s only 3.5 hours from Marseille to Nice, so I figured it couldn’t be that hard to find a place to stay. Despite its relatively small size …

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Filets de Lotte Recipe Garden Provence @ElizabethBard
Fish & SeafoodMain CourseProvencal RecipesTaste

Filets de Lotte aux Tomates et aux Petits Pois by Elizabeth Bard

seafood recipe comes from Elizabeth Bard’s latest book Picnic in Provence: A memoir with Recipes. The Monkfish (lotte in French) is prepared with fresh tomatoes and peas for a simple and elegant main course.

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Hotel de Caumont Aix-en-provence
Carolyne Kauser-AbbottExploreVillages Towns and Cities

Step back in time Hotel de Caumont in Aix

You can almost hear the clip-clop of the horses’ hooves maneuvering their master’s carriages on the cobblestones. Glance through the majestic iron gates into the cour d’honneur at l’Hôtel de Caumont and let the elegant limestone façade transport you to another era. The grand entrance was unique even in the …

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Var Provence
Carolyne Kauser-AbbottExploreVillages Towns and Cities

Need 5 Reasons to visit Cotignac

Cotignac’s permanent population hovers around 2,300 people. The official count swells on a sunny Tuesday when throngs of visitors appraise market stalls on the main street — Cours Gambetta. A column of plane trees provide welcome shade to vendors watching their stands that are heaving with tempting melons from Cavaillon, …

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#TravelTips Rentals in #Provence @unxplorer
Rental & Self-Catered Properties in ProvenceStay: Accommodation & Rentals in Provence

3 Steps to Finding a Vacation Home in Provence

When we travel, we usually shun hotels. Sure, there’s a lot to be said about room service and having someone make your bed every day, but with the advent of Airbnb, HomeAway, and other vacation rental websites, we’ve opened our eyes to a new way to live like locals.  Why …

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