In Provence and the rest of France, Christmas is a long festive season lasting over two months with many holiday traditions. While there are commercial aspects to the holidays in France, many historical customs continue annually. At this time of year, there is vin chaud, little saints (santons), thirteen desserts, …

In Provence, recipes change in concert with the seasons, matching available ingredients and the temperatures. In larger centres like Aix-en-Provence, Avignon and Marseille, the daily markets inspire professional chefs and anyone cooking dinner at home. The classic French onion might spring to mind when you think of French soups, but …

Arles has it all – history, contemporary architecture, museums, shopping, gourmet food and enough grit to capture your interest. Arles is considered the gateway to the Camargue wetlands and Rhône River delta. It is the last major urban centre before leaving Provence’s southwestern boundary. Below is our city guide for …

My Goût et Voyage travel itineraries strike the right balance between sightseeing, gourmet experiences and relaxation. Each gourmet tour of Provence’s includes many highlights yet allows flexibility for spontaneous exploration. Working exclusively with trusted local partners, these small group tours focus on culture and cuisine, including cooking classes, wine tastings, …

Mother Nature determines the exact timing of when the lavender fields bloom in Provence each year. However, there is a certain magic with visiting the region before the crowds arrive for summer. Typically, June is a lovely month to travel in the South of France before it gets too hot …

When you think of a golfing holiday, Provence may not be the place that first springs to mind. Perhaps it’s Scotland or Ireland that you think of first. While we agree that golf may have been invented in Scotland, and almost any golfer would love to play at the Old …

Surprisingly, Rustrel remains under the radar for many visitors to the Luberon Valley. This village is just a few minutes from Apt, the largest town in the area. Yet retains an old-world Provencal charm. If someone had a week in Rustrel, what would you suggest filling the days? We asked …

The black truffle season has begun, thrilling chefs the world over. Black truffles are one of the culinary delicacies of France, and their pungent, earthy taste enlivens many a plate. One classic dish is scrambled eggs with truffles, a simple recipe that lets the flavour of the truffles shine through. …

 Winter Festivals and Events in Provence So many images of the Provence and the Côte d’Azur are summer scenes with ribbons of blooming lavender fields, glasses of rosé with beads of condensation, and beautiful people in straw hats enjoying their holidays. Perhaps wintertime in Provence garners less attention, but it’s …

Established in 2007, the Parc Naturel Régional des Alpilles covers the mountain range and its flanks. As a protected natural area, there are restrictions on construction and park usage. However, the artifacts from human settlements discovered in these hills date back to the Neolithic era, and the range is the …