Provence’s pine forests, Mistral winds and the summer symphony of the cigales fuel Tracy Rawles’ creative writing. Rawles published her first book Charlie’s World of Glittering Powers, in November 2015. Charlie is a cigale, a cicada (or at least inspired by the cicadas), this is a description of the book’s central …

Trailing her degrees from Yale and the University of New York, former actress Heather Robinson changed careers to become a travel writer. She has been living in France for over 14 years with her photographer companion. You can read more about Heather’s favourite spots in Arles and her “Lost in …

Before we moved to France I had read Peter Mayle’s account of his idyllic year in the Luberon region of Provence, and thoroughly enjoyed it. However, when planning our great escape from the grey-skied rat-race that is the City of London we never contemplated moving to the Luberon. Somehow it …

When we travel, we usually shun hotels. Sure, there’s a lot to be said about room service and having someone make your bed every day, but with the advent of Airbnb, HomeAway, and other vacation rental websites, we’ve opened our eyes to a new way to live like locals.  Why …

Jane Satow is many things, a wife, mother, good friend and private guide. You can read more about her company Provence Cultural Tours and two unique yoga retreats in Provence here. After ten years in France, Jane gets asked by clients and friends who are visiting to share her favourite …

My wife and I live part of the year in St-Rémy-de-Provence, and just south of us lies the charming village of Maussane-les-Alpilles. It sits at the foot of the Alpilles Mountains, near the famous château of Les Baux-de-Provence. The area is rich with olive groves and Maussane makes a nice …

My return to Toulon was long overdue, and coffee with Tuula of Belle Provence was a reason to rediscover the city. Locals already know why they love Toulon, but I needed reminding that it is a gem. Many visitors overlook this city unless their ferry from other Mediterranean destinations lands …

Le Prieuré La Madelène Bed and Breakfast (B&B) is the site of a former 12th-century Benedictine monastery nestled just outside the village of Malaucène at the foot of Mont Ventoux. We asked the owners, Bruno and Olivier, for their restaurant recommendations for where to eat in Malaucène near le Prieuré …

Restaurant Worth the Detour Le Préau Restaurant is a hidden gem in the village of Rognes, just 19 km north of Aix-en-Provence. The restaurant is known for its inspired Mediterranean cuisine, which was influenced by the travels of chef/owner Antonin Wishart. I am fascinated by this restaurant because Chef Wishart …

The drive to Le Prieuré La Madelène Bed and Breakfast passes through Southern Rhône wine country and its famous villages. A pastoral landscape still surrounds what was once a 12th-century Benedictine priory. Fully renovated, this B&B is a quiet place to set aside your busy schedule and enjoy a Provencal …