
Pumpkin, Apple and Raisin Curry – a Warming Recipe
It’s suddenly very chilly and autumnal, so warming dishes are very welcome. This recipe is especially so because it makes use of some of the colourful pumpkins that are brightening market stalls in Aix. For this, I used a shiny red potiron, but any sort of squash would work. Serve …
It’s suddenly very chilly and autumnal, so warming dishes are very welcome. This recipe is especially so because it makes use of some of the colourful pumpkins that are brightening market stalls in Aix. For this, I used a shiny red potiron, but any sort of squash would work. Serve …

14 Ways to Celebrate Bastille Day
On July 14, 1789, an angry mob stormed the Bastille in Paris, a prison that housed only seven inmates. To incensed crowd, the medieval structure represented a landmark which symbolized all of their frustration with the reigning monarchy, a weak economic environment, high taxes and a lack of personal financial …
On July 14, 1789, an angry mob stormed the Bastille in Paris, a prison that housed only seven inmates. To incensed crowd, the medieval structure represented a landmark which symbolized all of their frustration with the reigning monarchy, a weak economic environment, high taxes and a lack of personal financial …

The South of France in Context Travel
Are you an intellectually curious traveler? Context Travel aims to be different, far removed from the average tourist tour, and certainly not with just any tour guides. Tour leaders at Context Travel are called docents, with good reason these are multi-degreed (MBA, Ph.D.) specialists in their fields of study who are keen …
Are you an intellectually curious traveler? Context Travel aims to be different, far removed from the average tourist tour, and certainly not with just any tour guides. Tour leaders at Context Travel are called docents, with good reason these are multi-degreed (MBA, Ph.D.) specialists in their fields of study who are keen …

The Ties that Bind in Fête de la Musique
Suggested Song: The Ties that Bind, Bruce Springsteen Suggested Drink: Domain Saint Aix rosé I’m back in the U.S. for 3 weeks. I always miss home when travelling, but I’m sharing fun times with people I love, mixing in a bit of work that I enjoy, getting my fix of …
Suggested Song: The Ties that Bind, Bruce Springsteen Suggested Drink: Domain Saint Aix rosé I’m back in the U.S. for 3 weeks. I always miss home when travelling, but I’m sharing fun times with people I love, mixing in a bit of work that I enjoy, getting my fix of …

Where is France’s Most Romantic Hotel?
Right here in Aix as it turns out! Le Parisien has just awarded that honour to La Maison d’Aix, a mansion built in 1789, in the Quartier Mazarin. Architect Laure Juhen has renovated the building in the spirit of a previous owner Madame Henriette Reboul, a ‘ mystérieuse antiquaire et …
Right here in Aix as it turns out! Le Parisien has just awarded that honour to La Maison d’Aix, a mansion built in 1789, in the Quartier Mazarin. Architect Laure Juhen has renovated the building in the spirit of a previous owner Madame Henriette Reboul, a ‘ mystérieuse antiquaire et …

Why You Should Visit the Village of Pierrerue
Hidden Provence is a chance to explore a less travelled part of Provence. This 8-night (7-day) walking tour is run by Liz Lord and her husband, Mel. During the trip, the group is based in a private home near Forcalquier. Liz wrote the following post after their last trip while …
Hidden Provence is a chance to explore a less travelled part of Provence. This 8-night (7-day) walking tour is run by Liz Lord and her husband, Mel. During the trip, the group is based in a private home near Forcalquier. Liz wrote the following post after their last trip while …

Lacoste, from the Marquis de Sade to Pierre Cardin
Lacoste is a well-preserved village that sits on a mountain ridge with great views to the east across a valley filled with vineyards and orchards to Bonnieux and the Grand Luberon Mountains. At the top of the village are the ruins of the castle of the Marquis de Sade now …
Lacoste is a well-preserved village that sits on a mountain ridge with great views to the east across a valley filled with vineyards and orchards to Bonnieux and the Grand Luberon Mountains. At the top of the village are the ruins of the castle of the Marquis de Sade now …

Visit Ansouis for Lunch at La Closerie Michelin Star Restaurant
It was October, and we were back in Sablet with friends Steve and Mary from Michigan. One of our morning rituals is to sit around the kitchen table drinking petit cafes and reading our iPads and English language papers. Invariably the question is asked, usually by Mary, “Michel, what’s the …
It was October, and we were back in Sablet with friends Steve and Mary from Michigan. One of our morning rituals is to sit around the kitchen table drinking petit cafes and reading our iPads and English language papers. Invariably the question is asked, usually by Mary, “Michel, what’s the …

Mirabeau Wine Emerges from a Dream
Keep reading for details on a contest and giveaway! Media sources and reputable wine journals have published countless articles about “Team Cronk” a nickname often used for the Mirabeau Wine duo Stephen and Jeany Cronk. The wine industry is teeming with personal stories of joys and heartaches, tales that are …
Keep reading for details on a contest and giveaway! Media sources and reputable wine journals have published countless articles about “Team Cronk” a nickname often used for the Mirabeau Wine duo Stephen and Jeany Cronk. The wine industry is teeming with personal stories of joys and heartaches, tales that are …

Holiday Planning and Guided Tours in Marseille
As France’s second-largest city after Paris, Marseille appears overwhelming with well over 1 million people in the greater metropolitan area (1,831,500 January 2011 census). Marseille has been a port city since 600BC when the Greeks established a trading base in this location. Positioned on the Mediterranean Marseille has long been …
As France’s second-largest city after Paris, Marseille appears overwhelming with well over 1 million people in the greater metropolitan area (1,831,500 January 2011 census). Marseille has been a port city since 600BC when the Greeks established a trading base in this location. Positioned on the Mediterranean Marseille has long been …