SCAD Art Design Lacoste
Artists Inspired by ProvenceInspireJulie Whitmarsh

SCAD Discovering Art and Design in Lacoste

From time to time, you see something that makes you reconsider some of the decisions you’ve made in life, and a recent visit to the SCAD (Savannah College of Art and Design) campus at Lacoste, was one of those moments. It was the first stop on our day with the …

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Cycling and a Fig and Almond Cake
Cakes & CookiesDessertJulie WhitmarshProvencal RecipesTaste

A Sweet Fig and Almond Cake

Life here is never boring, and sometimes, even the simplest of things takes a twist, which leaves us wondering how we manage to get through a day without some disaster, or another. However, the sweet reward of a fig and almond cake makes everything better. On Saturday, we headed out …

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Painting Workshops Provence Tessa Baker
Carolyne Kauser-AbbottExploreGuided Holiday Tours

Get Creative in Provence Painting Holidays

It’s incredible how the energy in someone’s words radiates positivity. Reading Tessa Baker’s newsletter about her 2022 painting holidays in Provence, Antigua and the Cinque Terre, I felt like life is finally returning to “normal.”  We connected via Zoom to talk about her new creative projects, including an online course …

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Roman Traces Apt was Apta Julia
ExploreJulie WhitmarshVillages Towns and Cities

Apt was once Apta Julia the Roman City

A couple of years ago, I had the opportunity to do a pop-up event with my jewellery in the cellar of our friends’ newly restored townhouse and apartments in the centre of Apt Cent Cinq. I say cellar, but this was the most beautiful, vaulted stone room, set below the …

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Biking Route Luberon Valley google map
ExploreKeith Van SickleStay Fit

An Easy Biking Route in the Luberon Valley to Try

One of my favourite biking routes is the Véloroute du Calavon, in the Luberon Valley. It’s a pretty ride and very easy. Biking on a Voie Verte This route is a voie verte (or “greenway”), a paved route for bikers, walkers and rollerbladers. There is a network of them in …

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Provence Fall Festivals 2022
Carolyne Kauser-AbbottInspireWhat's On Provence & Cote d'Azur

Provence Fall Festivals to Discover 2021 Events

Festivals and Fall Events in Provence Fall in Provence directs you towards a heartier menu. Enjoy meat (lamb, wild boar, taureaux, rabbit, fowl) roasted with herbes de Provence, root vegetables and delicious red wine blends. At this time of year, the hiking is fabulous, biking is possible, and golfers might …

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Paint and Tour Provence Tessa Baker
Carolyne Kauser-AbbottExploreGuided Holiday Tours

Paint and Tour Provence with Tessa Baker this Fall

Artist Tessa Baker has finalized the details for two painting tours this fall. Now is your chance to visit the region and explore your artistic side. Join an intimate group of other creative types wanting to improve their painting skills in Provence with Tessa’s coaching. September 4 – 11, 2021: …

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Val Joanis Remarkable Gardens Provence
Carolyne Kauser-AbbottFrench Decor & GardensInspire

Visit the Remarkable Gardens of the South of France

The label Jardin remarquable (Remarkable Garden) started in 2004 to celebrate and document France’s magnificent gardens. A Jardin Remarquable must meet the established criteria. The requirements include integration in the site, an interesting blend of vegetation, quality of the location, engaging use of plants and, where applicable, provide historical interest. …

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Painting Workshops Provence Tessa Baker
Carolyne Kauser-AbbottExploreGuided Holiday Tours

Painting Holidays in Provence with Tessa Baker

Painting in Provence Sometimes when you meet someone, it feels like you have known them forever, which was the case with Tessa Baker. Warm and welcoming, Tessa is a talented artist who runs small-group painting holidays and workshops in Provence, Italy and beyond. She had invited me to join her …

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Ashley TinkerStay: Accommodation & Rentals in Provence

Bells, Shutters and Stone Traditional Architecture in Provence

Church Bells of Bonnieux Recently, we stayed in the hilltop village of Bonnieux in Provence’s Luberon where we were treated to a singular sensory experience. We reached out to Vincent Gils, the only carillonneur (bell-ringer) left in the Vaucluse area and one of few left in France. Vincent’s father, Bernard, …

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