Contributor blog post by Aixcentric: My new book “Art in the South of France: The Inside Story” is being launched this week. It is a journey across from ancient sun-drenched Arles through Saint-Tropez and Saint Paul-de-Vence to the Italianate beauty of Menton, following the artists who flocked south to the area …

Gilles Conchy is the smiling face behind the Provence Gourmet. This is his recipe for Raspberry Tart with an Almond Crust. This is an easy dessert to make. The fresh raspberries and hint of mint give it a summer feel.

Contributor blog post by Aixcentric: Here is another good reason to visit Toulon! A reconstruction of the L’Hermione, the historic ship in which the Marquis de la Lafayette crossed the Atlantic to support Americans fighting for independence, will be in the port of Toulon from 5-8th April. I understand that tickets …

Orgon is a Provencal town with a reputation problem. To appreciate the town’s history and its dramatic natural backdrop, on the edge of the Alpilles, you need to veer off the Route Nationale 7 (N7) and stroll through the old streets to discover the charms of Orgon. Steady vehicle traffic …

Contributor blog post by Aixcentric: ‘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 …

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 …

Contributor blog post by Aixcentric: This is a huge celebration of the linkages between Pablo Picasso and the Mediterranean region with exhibitions already organised in Naples, Rabat, Malaga, Perpignan, Venice, and lots in the pipeline. Here in Provence, these are the forthcoming exhibitions in the programme: Picasso et Maitres Espagnol Carrieres …

Contributor blog post by Aixcentric: As the current annual son-et-lumiere show at the Carrieres de Lumieres in Les Baux de Provence draws to a close, (Bosch, Breughel, Arcimboldo ends Jan 7th, it’s always interesting to see what is next on the agenda. And the theme for 2018 is…Picasso et les Maitres …

I’ve just been to a wonderful exhibition at the Royal Academy of Arts in London. It was called Matisse in the Studio, and it shows how the objects that Matisse surrounded himself with appeared in his art. Henri Matisse was a collector: He had an array of vases, chairs, carpets, furniture, …

Contributor blog post by Aixcentric; The Tour de France 2018 race will take place 7 – 29th July and the route has just been announced: not very good for Provence this time round but I suppose we have been spoiled in the past; and there will be a F1 Grand …