Before spending time in Provence, I had never heard of a buyer’s agent. To a North American with the benefits of a transparent residential real estate market, the concept seemed vague and excessive. In Canada, we have Multiple Listing Services (MLS) which serves two purposes; “Unilateral offer of compensation by a …

Nutmeg is self-admittedly not a patient person. She develops a plan, does not appreciate too much external input, and certainly is not thrilled when there is a proposed change. Living in France, with life at a slower pace, has helped with her natural inclination somewhat. Although, Ginger is certain that …

“Even one night at this place is an unforgettable experience.” – Mary Kay Seales after her stay at this luxury property, in Provence, with her two sisters. Just a bit north of Aix-en-Provence near the tiny medieval village of Lauris is the stylish and architecturally perfect Domaine de Fontenille, on the …

Contributor blog post by Ashley Tinker: I came across this document in a pile of papers in a French flea market. It’s dated 1896. I find details like this really indicative of their time and culture. For example, the imagery of a military hat, canon, soldiers, rifle, and sword are most …

During one of my first jobs here in France, one of my colleagues challenged me to learn these French tongue twisters. I found this crumpled piece of paper in a pile of forgotten souvenirs under the bed the other day. I was compelled to go through the papers as my …

It’s Academy Award season, and as it was with me a year ago when I wrote of Marcel Pagnol, I am drawn back to Provence, in fact to his hometown of Aubagne. On this occasion it began last fall when I was discussing with my wife Benedicte, who is French, …

It took 20 visits to Provence before Keith Van Sickle and his wife decided to make the region their part-time home. A Northern California native, Van Sickle spent his early years on an island in the San Francisco Bay – Alameda, California. “It’s a sleepy town, an oasis of 1950’s …

Car companies and investors are spending billions in their attempts to place first in the electric vehicle battle – Elon Musk’s race is on. Maybe that was on his mind when entrepreneur David Lainé exited from Marseille’s St. Charles station one morning back in the summer of 2011 and noticed …

I can’t speak for the entirety of France but if you’re looking for expats in Provence here are a few suggestions. When I first moved to France I had it in my head that I would only meet French people. I soon learned that in the countryside, people was a …

If only the authors of guidebooks who drool over Provencal markets with such glowing, romantic prose could witness the scene today! The few brave traders in the Cours Mirabeau were packing up by 11, such was the wind; but this unlucky one didn’t strike camp fast enough. Estate agents’ publicity …