Over 100,000 people (some estimates as high as 126,000) died in Provence between 1720 and 1722, including almost 50% of Marseille’s population some 46,000 inhabitants. All in the name of commerce. The Grand Saint-Antoine arrived in Marseille’s port on May 25, 1720, from Syria (previously Levan), the vessel was late, …

American-born Wendy Jaeger admits that France is in her soul. The founder of Bliss Travels met with Nutmeg for coffee, in the Luberon, to chat about the company’s culinary and wine vacations. On the outside, it looks like Jaeger did a complete 180-degree turn to move from a career …Continue …

Contributor blog post by Caroline Longstaff: Discover the enchantment of this fairy tale village in Provence’s Luberon. Visit its medieval château and enjoy a musical soirée under its rafters. Meander Lourmarin’s chic boutiques, galleries and restaurants, and fabulous Friday market. Explore the stunningly beautiful Luberon region. Its captivating perched villages, sprawling …

Contributor blog post by David Taylor: As many people know cycling is the number one sport in France and the Luberon is the perfect location to enjoy it, there is a long flat cycle path running from Cavaillon to as far as Forcalquier, whilst there are many quiet back roads …

Cantilevered to a Luberon hillside are the striking remains of an ancient oppidum and its defensive dry-stone walls; Gordes can rightly boast about its ranking among les Plus Beaux Villages de France. However, at the height of Provence’s tourist season this town, with its single thoroughfare, becomes a ghastly traffic …

Isabelle Jouhanneau makes her Un Jour à la Campagne jams the traditional way; in copper pots with fresh ingredients and no additives. Originally from the Alpes de Haute Provence, she is now settled in the Luberon close to Bonnieux. Jouhanneau spent some time in Morocco, where she ran a tea shop, and …

Hidden high in the hills above the village of Rustrel lies a true Provençal oasis of tranquillity. Enveloped by woods, hills, and fields of lavender, le Clos de Rohan is the Provence you are looking for. From the moment you enter the grounds, this soothing retreat will delight the senses, whisk …

Contributor blog post by Vaucluse Dreamer: I have to admit to being rather tired last night. Yesterday’s cycle took us onto one of the roads that turns left just before the end of the Veloroute du Calavon and it felt as if we spent most of our time going up …

Every visitor to the Vaucluse department of Provence must take the time to visit this raw, rugged, breathtaking jewel of the Luberon. Frozen in time, Oppède-le-Vieux enchants its visitors with its majestic position clinging to the side of the Luberon. For more on Cheryl’s visit to this hilltop town in the …

Italian by birth, Giuseppina Mabilia first visited Provence in 2004, and now she calls the Luberon village of Goult home. The years in between have allowed Giuseppina to establish herself as a private chef in the region, and more recently launch her cooking school Venise en Provence.  Although the geographic distance …