Contributor blog post by Michel: You know I love santons, the hand-made clay figurines that depict the colorful people, traditional trades, activities and costumes of Provence. In Provence, they are set out at Christmas in a Provençal crèche (nativity scene). …Continue reading here for Michel’s description of these tiny clay figures …

The cafes are full inside and out today in Provence as everyone enjoys the mild weather. The baker is furiously making fougasse/pompe à l’huile for tomorrow, the local epicerie can’t seem to keep fresh medjool dates (that melt in your mouth!) and clementines on the shelves. There are towers of …

This year I plan to stay in France for the Christmas holiday. Friends say there’s nothing in the world quite like it. One year I was in Uzes until late December so I got a hint of how special the atmosphere is around here. There are festive decorations on street …

Bilingual guide Emily Durand and the owner of Your Private Provence is running a holiday tour in Provence from December 16-22, 2016. This “Christmas market and truffle tour” is a small group tour for a maximum of eight (8) guests. You can view the full itinerary here. Why would you want to sign up …

Lovely connections develop in Provence and ours is one. My friend, author Patricia Sands is a lady with a fabulous re-invention story (please read her full back story here). Following her popular “Love in Provence” trilogy (Lake Union Publishing), she is currently working on her fifth novel. This story is …

In a month’s time, I shall be visiting vineyards in the Negev desert and the archaeological remains of the ancient Nabatean kingdom. Splendid remains of buildings and extensive evidence of large scale agriculture and winemaking indicate the richness of this area in ancient times. The 1st century BCE historian Strabo …

Contributor blog post by Ashley Tinker: These trees can be bought at the “Marché de Sapin” on Rue Carnot that is impressively open 7 days a week until Christmas! Today and tomorrow Avignon is particularly in the mood for some Christmas spirit. Carols are playing all throughout the town and …

Contributor blog post by Ashley Tinker: Cover of 1953 “Rustica” magazine which covers mostly rural subject matter. Some great images of chickens! I personally love looking through magazines from a different era. What interests me in particular is the advertisements. I like to look out for what might be very …

Contibutor blog post by Victoria Koning @Mirabeau Wine: Sir Francis of Assisi established the tradition of nativity scenes in 1223 with live enactments by people and animals during the midnight mass on Christmas eve in his church of Greccio, Italy. The tradition halted after the French Revolution, when many churches …

Contributor blog post by Access Riviera: Ho ho ho! The festive season has crept up on me once again and I’ve been so busy with my kids picking up every cough or virus found on a school playground, and juggling lots of Christmas events that I didn’t get around to …