Contributor blog post by Aixcentric: Two unmissable carol concerts at the Cathedral, one international and one very Swedish! The annual international concert will be held on Saturday 6th December. It’s hugely popular so get there well before the 16:00 start if you want a seat. Carols, candles and happiness guaranteed! …

Contributor blog post by Aixcentric: Christmas in Aix is lovely; the colourful lights, the busy markets, the crowds rushing round the shops and watching the children’s rides all make the festive season in Provence so special. Here is the new Aix magazine which has full details: Aixmagazine_site In brief, these …

Looking for an alternative to gluhwein and gingerbread this festive season? Or simply looking for a chance to find your festive spirit? Luckily, as with every year, numerous events are taking place throughout the vineyards of Provence to help us get into the Christmas mood, such as traditional Christmas markets. …

Marché de Sénas Artisanal Provence à Alsace Every year Robin and I visit the weekend-long Christmas market that takes place in Sénas. I love this market because it’s so different than any of the others in the small towns in the Bouches du Rhône or Vaucluse regions. You really get …

Contributor blog post by Aixcentric: Every year in Marseille, members of All Saints Anglican Church ‘the English Church’ work hard to get lots of seasonal items together for a Christmas Fair to raise money for building maintenance. This year it is happening on Saturday 28th November and they need your …

Need some ideas for souvenirs and presents to take home? Check out Christmas Presents from Provence and kitchen essentials for an aspiring Provencal cook. Speaking of Christmas the “marchés de noël” starts up in every town and village in late November. Of course there is food, that pretty much goes …

Contributor blog post by Aixcentric: Following on from my last post about Destination Francais, here are details of their special workshops leading up to Christmas. They take place on Friday afternoons at the delightful restaurant Le Jardin d’Amalula in Rue Mignet. Dates: November 13, 20, 27 and December 4, 11, …

By late November, the Christmas markets in Provence are in full swing. Individual cabanas decorated with festive trimmings line the Cours Mirabeau in Aix-en-Provence. In a short walk, you can buy some gingerbread (pain d’épices) to go with your foie gras, stock up on a few santons for your crèche …

By Jilly When you only have a limited time to enjoy Provence, authentic experiences are to be treasured. This one came lovingly wrapped in the form of a friends’ invitation to join them for a special day. Wrapped up cozily against the chill of a provencal winter, a lazy Explore …

Dutch-born Anne-Marie Simons is a traveller. She studied in Paris, worked in Brussels and then moved to the United States where for a long time she worked only to support her travel-bug. Today, Anne-Marie and her husband Oscar reside in Aix-en-Provence where she continues to hone her writing. The following …