Places to Visit in Provence The region is one of the most visited areas in France. From bustling, edgy Marseille to the red cliffs of Cassis, fragrant lavender fields of the Luberon, Aix-en-Provence’s colourful markets, wine and art. There’s something in Provence to please everyone. No wonder it’s everyone’s favourite. …

What is Candied Fruit? Don’t ask your nutritionist’s permission when it comes to candied fruit. The answer is obviously yes. The process of converting fresh fruit to a crystallized version takes lots of time and even more sugar syrup. Sometimes referred to as fruit glacé in France. The Arabs brought …

My French TV Debut When a producer from the France Canal 3 called me up to ask if I would participate—as the expat writer—in a segment of the travel show Chroniques Méditerranéennes (show details below) with Nathalie Simon, I was ecstatic. A French TV show planning to feature St. Rémy …

Provencal Cookbooks, Culinary and Wine Guides These titles are a mix of traditional cookbooks and culinary guides to the Provencal lifestyle. The following list of books is far from exhaustive, but rather a few of the ones in our personal collection. Some are cookbooks, some are culinary guides to the …

By Mirabeau Wine: Provence is world-renowned for many wonderful reasons; the never-ending summer sun, the golden sandy beaches of the Cote d’Azur, and of course, for its excellent rosé wines. But aside from its beautiful landscapes and delicious rosé, what else goes on in Provence? If you take to your …

Memoirs Inspired by Provence For many, Peter Mayle’s best-selling novel A Year in Provence was their introduction to the Provencal countryside. Images of the Côte d’Azur have long covered the pages of travel magazines. Still, Mayle’s descriptions of bumbling through a home renovation in the arrière-pays (translation: backcountry or hinterland) shifted …

Cézanne’s Studio Like most young artists learning to paint, I was attracted to and inspired by most of the impressionistic and post-impressionistic painters. I loved the work of Monet, Renoir, Matisse, Gauguin and Cézanne and many more. When I arrived in Aix-en-Provence for the first time, I rushed up the …

A visit to beautiful Aix-en-Provence – the city of art and water – should be on every visitor’s agenda. Founded by the Romans, this city has a remarkable history in the region. Only traces remain of this once crucial Roman settlement remain, but if you know where to look, there …

What’s On? During the summer in Provence and the Côte d’Azur, daytime temperatures range from warm to hot. So, you don’t need an excuse to laze by the pool. At this time of year, the lavender is in bloom and the sunflowers put on a spectacular floral show. From music …

Finally! Carrières de Lumières It’s always good to finally tick something off the list of things you have wanted to do for a while. Last year, we finally got to see the Fête du Citron (now to be an annual event for us). Yesterday I got around to seeing the …