I  am deeply moved by Jean-Andre Charial’s philosophical book “Lunch in Provence.” More correctly, it strengthened my conviction that the foundation of great food lies not only in the provenance of ingredients and simplicity of preparation but in emotion and passion while enjoying it. Charial spoke of lovely, outdoor makeshift lunches where just-picked …

This guest post is by Susana Iwase Hanson, the founder of Provence Living Cotignac.  Susana is multi-talented and tri-lingual. She lives with her family in the Var in the beautiful, rural village of Cotignac (read more about her interesting backstory here). But after living on many continents, big city living …

Spring lamb and fresh peas will always be my go-to recipe for Easter. This combination is the culinary equivalent of putting away your winter coats. Fortunately, now that I live on the French Riviera, I no longer have to worry about heavy winter jackets. In Provence, the lamb is grass-fed and delicious.

Try this recipe for Provencal Duck Stew before the weather gets too warm. This dish is a great main course for long summer lunches or dinner parties because it is best prepared ahead of time and reheated. Make this recipe in advance and it will allow you to enjoy the …

Côtes du Rhône Vineyard Refresh Five years ago, I wrote an article for Global Living Magazine about the new owners of Domaine Rouge-Bleu. The backstory about how a Franco-Australian couple followed their dream of owning a wine label is below. Leveraging their experiences in winemaking and sales, Caroline Jones and …

My visit to Fondation Carmignac, the newly-opened art centre at Porquerolles, last year was by far my favourite outing of 2018. I was lucky to get there just before it closed for winter, when lots of the exhibits went back to Paris. The centre re-opened with fresh artworks, on April …

In February, Author Gayle Padgett and her husband Ralph drove to the Côte d’Azur to visit friends who live near Menton.  There are many reasons to visit this coastal city. The citrus festival (Fête du Citron) is a big draw for visitors in mid-winter. The rest of the year, as …

Getaway to the Alps A road trip to the Alps delivers a combination of excitement, outdoor sports, beautiful vistas and alpine weather. Several mountain resorts are closer than you might think from Provence providing an excellent destination for travellers and sportspersons alike. The Alps stretch 1,200 km across Europe through …

Spring Menu from Provence As we transition into Spring in Provence, I like to add both ginger and lemon to my recipes, for a zingy spice and natural acidity that will add brightness to our dishes. As I depart from the heavier winter soups and daubes, I enjoy making lighter, brighter dishes to …

Sometimes, a book’s title brings up old memories. Remember your first house? Sometime after college and into your career, all of a sudden you were no longer “playing house”. It was for real. The following is an excerpt from the book Playing House in Provence: How Two Americans Became a …