
Shutters and Sunflowers the Provencal Landscape
Admittedly, it would be a tough choice for anyone to pick between, between the lush gardens of the UK, the sunny skies of California and postcard perfect Provence. Caroline Longstaffe’s solution was to start writing a blog Shutters and Sunflowers her artistic outlet for west coast beauty, British heritage and …
Admittedly, it would be a tough choice for anyone to pick between, between the lush gardens of the UK, the sunny skies of California and postcard perfect Provence. Caroline Longstaffe’s solution was to start writing a blog Shutters and Sunflowers her artistic outlet for west coast beauty, British heritage and …

Recipe for Tomato Soupe au Pistou
Jackie shares her version of a Provencal classic soupe au pistou. In this variation, a heavier dose of tomatoes will give you a summery reminder as winter closes in. According to Jackie, All this tomato growing and preserving couldn’t go by without attempting a few new recipe ideas in the …
Jackie shares her version of a Provencal classic soupe au pistou. In this variation, a heavier dose of tomatoes will give you a summery reminder as winter closes in. According to Jackie, All this tomato growing and preserving couldn’t go by without attempting a few new recipe ideas in the …

Where to find Truffle Markets in Provence
November marks the start of the black diamond season in Provence (and other parts of France). Proof that good looks are not everything the Tuber Melanosporum or black truffle looks a bit like a lump of coal that sells for 1-2000 Euros/kilogram. Intensely pungent the ‘diamond of the kitchen’ has …
November marks the start of the black diamond season in Provence (and other parts of France). Proof that good looks are not everything the Tuber Melanosporum or black truffle looks a bit like a lump of coal that sells for 1-2000 Euros/kilogram. Intensely pungent the ‘diamond of the kitchen’ has …

Touring Nice on Two Wheels
Take a stroll along the Promenade des Anglais in Nice and you can be almost guaranteed of a couple things all year long: sun and plenty of people watching. The song Nissa la Bella (Nice the Beautiful) makes lots of sense for this coastal city on the Mediterranean where the …
Take a stroll along the Promenade des Anglais in Nice and you can be almost guaranteed of a couple things all year long: sun and plenty of people watching. The song Nissa la Bella (Nice the Beautiful) makes lots of sense for this coastal city on the Mediterranean where the …

Tomato Soupe au Pistou
The last few days of summer have found me busily preserving tomatoes for use during the winter. Over in France, the long, hot August days were perfect for my first attempt at sundried plum tomatoes, which shrivelled in the garden sun for two days before being tightly packed. Continue reading …
The last few days of summer have found me busily preserving tomatoes for use during the winter. Over in France, the long, hot August days were perfect for my first attempt at sundried plum tomatoes, which shrivelled in the garden sun for two days before being tightly packed. Continue reading …

Hiking the Perreal
The Perreal hill is on the west side of Saint Saturnin Les Apt and the walk gives spectacular views in all directions. From our house, we walk the 800 metres to the village and then continue straight across opposite the bar du Platane. At the end of the road, turn …
The Perreal hill is on the west side of Saint Saturnin Les Apt and the walk gives spectacular views in all directions. From our house, we walk the 800 metres to the village and then continue straight across opposite the bar du Platane. At the end of the road, turn …

Repiquage des Poireaux d’Hiver
Winter leeks have a blue tinge to their leaves. These are being sold at Vaison la Romaine market on Tuesday mornings. For those of you who aren’t kicking yourselves for enthusiastically sowing hundreds of seeds when the first spring blossom appeared (the sprouting weeds somehow not reminding you of …Continue …
Winter leeks have a blue tinge to their leaves. These are being sold at Vaison la Romaine market on Tuesday mornings. For those of you who aren’t kicking yourselves for enthusiastically sowing hundreds of seeds when the first spring blossom appeared (the sprouting weeds somehow not reminding you of …Continue …

Kayaking in Provence
This is a special period for people in Provence. The sun is still shining but the tourists have gone back home and the kids are back at school. Time to quickly make the most of the countryside before the weather turns cold and winter sets in. We’re on borrowed time!
This is a special period for people in Provence. The sun is still shining but the tourists have gone back home and the kids are back at school. Time to quickly make the most of the countryside before the weather turns cold and winter sets in. We’re on borrowed time!

Provencal Grapevines Through The Seasons
The ABC’s of wine! Want to sound like an expert? Read Ginger and Nutmeg’s blog post to find out about ageing, barrels, corks, decanting, grapes, fun facts and much, much more. For example, Oenology is the science of winemaking and a Refractometer is a tool used by experts to determine …
The ABC’s of wine! Want to sound like an expert? Read Ginger and Nutmeg’s blog post to find out about ageing, barrels, corks, decanting, grapes, fun facts and much, much more. For example, Oenology is the science of winemaking and a Refractometer is a tool used by experts to determine …

French Collège: Increasing the Fun Factor
Contributor blog post shared by Jemma: Last winter Antibes came to us in Toronto. Lolo’s friend – a former classmate from her preschool days in Juan-les-Pins – passed through town with her family. One snowy day in early March, Lolo brought Anaë to school for show-and-tell. Anaë was a superstar …
Contributor blog post shared by Jemma: Last winter Antibes came to us in Toronto. Lolo’s friend – a former classmate from her preschool days in Juan-les-Pins – passed through town with her family. One snowy day in early March, Lolo brought Anaë to school for show-and-tell. Anaë was a superstar …