Small Town Fine Dining Experience in Maillane in Provence’s Alpilles

For fine dining in a comfortable setting, it’s hard to beat Maison Bernard in Maillane. The chef, thirty-something Jérémy Scalia, has already been honoured with a Michelin star for his work at Hotel Tourrel in St-Rémy-de-Provence. Now with his own restaurant, Scalia offers Mediterranean-Provençal cuisine, featuring local, seasonal ingredients...

Winedering’s Goal? Improving Wine Tourism through Technology

We interviewed Stefano Tulli, co-founder of Winedering, the company that he launched in 2016 with Denis Seghetti. Their goal was to enhance wine tourism through a user-friendly platform for wine experiences. Tulli brings expertise in tourism and destination management, while Seghetti contributes digital and full-stack development skills. In this...

A Perfect 3-Course Summer Menu with Provence in Mind

During the summer in Provence, we linger a little longer at the table, enjoying the cool shade and long warm evenings. This menu follows our lead, it’s unhurried, generous and rooted in the season’s abundance. Tender asparagus meets cool burrata, lifted by charred lemon and the warmth of toasted...

Ashley Tinker’s Stunning Painting Exhibition Brings Sunflowers to Life in the Alpilles

Are you passionate about wine and art? Ashley Tinker, known as @curiousprovence on Instagram, presents her latest exhibition at Domaine de la Vallongue. Her canvases are displayed on the walls of the boutique at this picturesque vineyard in the Alpilles until August 31. Visit Domaine de la Vallongue to...

The Lost Children Author Susan McDonald Shares Her Writing Incites and Inspiration

The Lost Children is Susan McDonald’s debut book in a series set during wartime France, inspired by true stories, locations, and events from World War II. We enjoyed speaking with Susan about her novel, research, and writing process, and we invite you to read her responses below. Read our...

Download Our Summer Menu Collection

Featuring 25 recipes from the South of France for summer weather, along with menu suggestions, all designed to make your cooking experience enjoyable. Download this PDF, which includes recipes for starters, main courses, side dishes, and desserts.

Explore Provence

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Carolyne Kauser-Abbott · Explore · Road Trips South of France

Top 23 Questions People Ask About Lavender in Provence

June 8, 2026
The Romans first introduced the lavender plant to the South of France in approximately the 2nd century B.C.E. Although lavender grows throughout the Mediterranean region, it is one of Provence’s most iconic symbols. To better understand the role lavender plays in this region, we answer the top questions people ask about lavender in Provence. Lavender …
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Carolyne Kauser-Abbott · Explore · Guided Holiday Tours

Want to Understand Olive Traditions? Book Curated Travel to Provence

May 15, 2026
Martine Bertin-Peterson, the founder of Goût et Voyage LLC, runs small-group tours in Provence, Umbria, Normandy, and Morocco. Creating unforgettable travel memories, Martine serves as the escort for all Goût et Voyage culinary travel adventures. These tours bring together her lifelong passions for travel, cooking, and culture. In Provence, Umbria, and Morocco, olives and olive …
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Carolyne Kauser-Abbott · Explore · Villages Towns and Cities

The Reasons Why Visitors Choose Avignon, France, and Some Stay Longer

May 11, 2026
Maureen Steinberg grew up amid the sun-soaked energy of Southern California, spending years in the lively sprawl of Los Angeles. In 2020, she set out for something entirely new, trading LA’s endless buzz for Avignon’s gentle rhythms, a picturesque gem in France. That leap from the West Coast’s largest city to Avignon’s charm must have …
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Carolyne Kauser-Abbott · Explore · Guided Holiday Tours

What is the TripUSAFrance Tour Difference? Founder Julia Shares Her Story

May 1, 2026
Julia Girard-Gervois leads TripUSAFrance, a boutique travel agency she founded in 2015 alongside her parents in France. Their vision is simple: invite guests to discover southern France as locals do, with warmth and genuine connection. From April through September, they run tours in Normandy and Southern France. The TripUSAFrance tour group sizes are small to …
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Tastes of Provence

Carolyne Kauser-Abbott · Lunchtime Meals · Provencal Recipes · Street Food · Taste

How to Make La Pissaladière the Niçoise Flatbread

It’s hard to define la Pissaladière with slow-cooked onions, olives and anchovies. It’s not quite pizza, not quite a focaccia, but somewhere in between. Nevertheless, this popular street food is a delicious reason to visit Nice, France! What is La Pissaladière? A staple in traditional Cuisine Nissarde recipes, la Pissaladièra (in Nissart) is reproduced below …
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Carolyne Kauser-Abbott · Christmas & Holiday · Dessert · Provencal Recipes · Taste

Pompe à l’Huile a Christmas Holiday Recipe from Provence

Kristi Espinasse is the wordsmith behind “French Word-a-Day,” a blog she has written religiously for over two decades. While she no longer publishes daily, her articles are always a heartwarming chronicle of life in the South of France. Kristi is an American born in the Philippines. Her path to living in Provence was unplanned, arriving …
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