Mountains, Old Abbeys, Pretty Villages and a Roman Bridge The Luberon in the Vaucluse boasts many charming villages, four of which are classified as Plus Beaux Villages. Moreover, there are wooded hills with plenty of good walking, great markets, excellent restaurants and a producer of quality wines—all in this relatively unspoiled …

Are you looking for a place with beautiful views, excellent food, and fabulous wines? Then consider Gigondas in the southern Rhône Valley. This region has been producing excellent wines for over 2,000 years, from when it was part of the Roman Empire. The Romans liked the wines from Gigondas so …

With non-essential travel to France restricted due to Covid-19, soulmates Catherine Karnow (National Geographic photographer) and Gilles Portaz (geography and history professor) spent a year apart. Finally, thanks to the “love visa,” a compassionate entry permit for non-married couples, they were reunited in Provence in November 2020. They got reacquainted …

Holiday Markets At this time of the year, Provence experiences reasonably mild weather so the Christmas markets are usually held in the open air. Associated with the celebration of Christmas, you can find everything related to holiday celebrations and Saint-Nicolas. The Christmas markets look like real little villages. Stroll through …

Have you ever done a basic search about books set in Provence? If so, it is quite possible that Peter Mayle was one of the first names to pop up, and for good reason. This is the man who is responsible for ultra-famous books such as A Year In Provence, …

Another Beautiful Village Friends and others headed to Provence often ask where they should go during their once-in-a-lifetime visit to Provence. It is a hard question as most visitors have only six (6) days since they usually arrive on Saturday afternoon and depart the following Saturday morning; there are so …

With confinement measures now making way for a return to normality, many of us are relishing our newly reclaimed freedom to eat out and visit favourite restaurants once more. And as part of that freedom,  I, for one, am embracing the sheer joy and novelty of not having to cook …

Popes and Red Wine Villages in Provence’s Rhone Valley In my view, there is no better place to begin this wine village itinerary than historic Avignon. The city was once the seat of the Catholic Church and home of several Popes during the Middle Ages. I have chosen seven of …

Hungry during the afternoon when restaurants and grocery stores are closed in Provence? Then head up to Chez Auzet at the top of Ménerbes for the most delicious quiche for just five euros! If you want to splurge, you can spend seven euros and get a salad with your quiche. …

Plenty of villages in the Luberon Valley lay claim to les plus beaux villages de France (the most beautiful villages in France), and many of those proudly display Villages Fleuris (flowering villages) emblems on local street signs. Enchanted by weather-worn scenes of charming hilltop hamlets and gently numbed by a glass of …