Contributor blog post by Aixcentric: The Musée Yves Brayer at Les Baux-de-Provence has an exhibition of photography by Henri Cartier-Bresson, who was a friend of Brayer in Paris. Cartier-Bresson, from a well-to-do family in Seine-et-Marne was given a Kodak Brownie as a child, the beginning of his love for photography. …

Peter Mayle certainly started something back in 1989 when he published A Year in Provence. What a best-seller that turned out to be, and it launched a whole genre of ‘newcomer-to-Provence-buys-old-house/olive-grove books that document the inevitable cultural differences that we all bump up against. Is there anything more to be said? Continue …

Contributor blog post by Aixcentric: He is not an artist I had ever heard of, but I came away impressed by this discovery courtesy of the Musée Regards de Provence. Joseph Inguimberty was born in Marseille back in 1896. Here, one of his early works captured the scenes in the …

Contributor blog post by Aixcentric: Sixty paintings by Alfred Sisley (1839-1899) went on show June 10th in Aix at the Caumont Centre d’Art’s summer show. The painter, was born to English parents in Paris, hasn’t been the subject of a retrospective since 2002. Forty per cent of this show includes paintings from private collections not …

It’s a toss-up between coquelicots (red poppies) and lavender, but probably no other scent or sight says Provence better than the pungent aroma of a purple field of lavender growing in mounded rows under a brilliant blue summer sky. We were lucky that it was the lavender season when we …

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 …

Contributor blog post by Aixcentric: Sunday really is an ideal time to visit Toulon as the traffic is lighter, it’s easier to park and the market is in full swing. It’s a good market with the top part North African stalls, leading down to the fruit and veg section, ending in …

“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 …

There are quite a few photography exhibitions on in Provence right now….let’s head west first to the ones in Arles. The Musée Reattu, which is building a formidable collection of photography is currently exhibiting ‘Anatomie du Paysage‘, 130 natural or urban landscapes from some well-known photographers. This museum is in …