‘Cézanne at Home’ and a retrospective of the painter Tal Coat have recently opened at the Musée Granet, both worth a visit. ‘No painting by Cézanne will ever enter this museum’, proclaimed Henri Pontier who was curator in 1900. His attitude is made even worse by the fact that, during …

This beautiful vineyard at Les Arcs-sur-Argens is a must-visit, not just for its natural beauty and acclaimed wines but also for the outstanding Chapelle Sainte-Rosaline in the grounds. It not only contains artistic gems (Giacometti and Chagall) but also the 680-year-old body of the saint herself, reposing in the nave …

This is a huge celebration of the linkages between Pablo Picasso and the Mediterranean region, with exhibitions already organized in Naples, Rabat, Malaga, Perpignan, and Venice and many more in the pipeline. Here in Provence, these are the forthcoming exhibitions in the programme: Picasso et Maitres Espagnol Carrieres de Lumieres …

It has been almost two decades since Anne-Marie Simons and her husband Oscar decided to uproot their Washington, D.C. lifestyle and spend their retirement years in the South of France. They eliminated other alternatives (continents, countries and cities) and chose Aix-en-Provence for its “quality of life.” The city’s attractive combination …

A Table magazine from ‘La Provence’ is a mine of information for those cooking and dining locally. This issue (Septembre-Octobre) spotlights bouillabaisse and prints recipes from renowned chefs. I always like the section where they review new restaurants – there are 16 featured, among them: La Famille in Uzes, Chic …

Charming Provence Jolie vintage might be a good description for Goult. This village is one of a few in the Luberon that is not teeming with tourists, during the high season. In September 2015, Mimi and Michael Pillsbury purchased an old village house, as their new home and the base …

With tourists heading to the Luberon this summer to see lavender fields, Roussillon is along the way with its equally vibrant colours of red, orange and pink. These stories, fact and fiction, about the multi-coloured town that inform and amuse those who venture there. The French commune of Roussillon is …

Ai Weiwei has a permanent installation at Chateau La Coste. It’s entitled Ruyi Path after the ceremonial sceptre, which symbolizes power and good fortune in Chinese history. The artist has followed the shape of the sceptre to create a new pathway that weaves between the forest trees at Château La …

Last time, I told you about Provence’s first Renaissance château, the Lourmarin Château and promised that next time, we would peek inside. Here, you will find a fascinating, sometimes quite surprising, eclectic collection of treasures, thanks to the legacy of its last private owner, Robert Laurent Vibert, and The Lourmarin …

Cinq à sept is a Quebecois term for cocktail hour. The term is not generally used in France, but I find it a delightful turn of phrase, which literally refers to the hours between five and seven pm. A time to unwind after work and enjoy a drink with friends …