Reading MFK Fisher’s Two Towns in Provence, you might be surprised that it was written so long ago. Cours Mirabeau, the cultural center of Aix, looks much like it did when Fisher and her two daughters sought solace at Les Deux Garçons or ambled down the boulevard so many decades …

The Debate One of the favourite pastimes of the Aixois is fervently discussing the town’s many qualities. They cite the climate, culture and architecture; rave about the shopping and surrounding countryside; and compare notes on their favourite Luberon village, Mediterranean beach, local wine and restaurant. When we first moved here, …

What is the celebration of spring in Nice la Fête des Mais? Phoebe has the answer. On the 1st of May and then every Sunday throughout the month, Nice celebrates the arrival of spring.  This custom dates back to Roman times when a “Mai” (a large pine tree felled in …

What is a Master of Wine and what does it take to become one? Learn more about Elizabeth Gabay’s compelling story and why she lives “Equidistant between the Rhone and Piedmont” follow this link. We asked Elizabeth to share her Perfectly Provence moments with our readers: #Discover The more remote …

Local enough to hear the latest gossip makes you a local in Provence Sharon de Rham (tour guide and expat) says she gets the heads up from her friend at the tourist office when there are movie stars staying in the “neighbourhood.” After nearly ten years in Vaison la Romaine, …

Eygalieres is a Provencal postcard-perfect village in the heart of the Parc Naturel des Alpilles. To get a flavour for the town read why Eygalieres is always worth a visit. Alternatively, meet some of the residents like local DJ Manolo-J who is getting the party started, Sabrina who is sharing a …

Château Pesquié is Provencal postcard perfection, with the soaring limestone summit of Mont Ventoux as a backdrop and a leafy canopy of plane trees shading the bastide’s entrance. The Provencal name pesquié is a derivative of the Latin “pescarium” meaning fishpond or basin. This region may be one of the …

Aix must be a paradise for archaeologists: building work in town often yields ancient foundations and sewers, but sometimes sumptuous Roman mosaic dining room floors, everyday pottery and glass from the table, and even jewellery, oil lamps and statues. They dated from around 2000 years ago when Aix was the …

By aixcentric Violets are one of the first signs of spring, a welcome sight as they peep out from grassy banks and the undergrowth in woody areas. At Tourrettes sur Loup they are centre stage in the local economy and also in the annual Fete des Violettes which takes place …

One of my favorite places in Uzes is the Vallée de l’Eure. I’ve written about the spring that feeds Pont du Gard, the swans, the STEPS, and various other things that amuse me there. Nothing has caught me more off guard, however, than to find men hanging in the trees. […] …