If you have a chance to take a trip and don’t really care where you go, just put your finger on a spot on a map. Then go there. That’s pretty much how I decided to visit Sete (pronounced “set”). A little bit Venice, a little bit Riviera Sete is …

He is not an artist I had ever heard of, but I came away impressed by this discovery courtesy of the Musée Regards de Provence. Joseph Inguimberty was born in Marseille back in 1896. Here, one of his early works captured the scenes in the docks of his home town. …

One could say that Lyon is at the intersection of France. Lyon is France’s third-largest city after Paris and Marseille. Located almost in the country’s centre, the drive from Marseille takes a little over 3 hours and 4.5 from Paris. However, the travel time is cut considerably on the train …

In early August, Aubagne will once again host ARGILLA the biennial marketplace for ceramics artists. Each year a country is selected as the thematic focus of the event, this year it is Spain. The 14th edition of this international pottery market and festival opens to the public on August 5th and …

Sunday is an ideal time to visit Toulon as the traffic is lighter, it’s easier to park, and the market is in full swing. It’s a good market, with the top part being North African stalls, leading down to the fruit and veg section and ending in clothes near the …

Cassis is a picturesque town a little over 1 and 1/2 hours from Sablet, tucked into a curve along the Mediterranean Sea between the calanques (little coastal fjords with tall cliffs), about 20 km east of Marseille. It’s a fishing port on a steep hillside with vineyards and pastel-coloured houses …

Ai Weiwei has a permanent installation at Chateau La Coste. It’s entitled Ruyi Path after the ceremonial sceptre, which symbolizes power and good fortune in Chinese history. The artist has followed the shape of the sceptre to create a new pathway that weaves between the forest trees at Château La …

How sexy are you feeling today? Events Story: A Beauty Salon with Character Events Story is a beauty salon in Marseille. It has just opened up a new salon right in the centre of Aix en Provence. Sisters Sonia and Linda have created a different type of salon that caters …

It’s Academy Award season, and as it was with me a year ago when I wrote of Marcel Pagnol, I am drawn back to Provence, in fact to his hometown of Aubagne. On this occasion it began last fall when I was discussing with my wife Benedicte, who is French, …

Provence Gourmet This autumn, I was lucky to be able to participate in one of Gilles Conchy’s cooking classes in Aix en Provence. Gilles leads English cooking classes in Aix en Provence, Eygalières, and Marseille. Each class focuses on Provençal cooking, with particular regard for the different traditions of the …