Journalist/Writer Anne-Marie Simons and her husband Oscar (retired international banker) have lived and worked in the US and Europe. They could have chosen anywhere to retire but decided on sunny Aix-en-Provence. Anne-Marie says, “Our choice of Aix-en-Provence was a bit of a stab in the dark but has worked out …

Most people dream about visiting Nice once in their lives…Phoebe Thomas shares Three things I love about Nice. Nice is a city of contrasts, located on the beautiful Mediterranean sea hemmed in by Alps, its location is hard to beat.  Contrast the bright blue sea with the snow-capped mountains; the …

I am often asked which part of France is my favourite and I find this a very difficult question to answer! I love so many cities in France for different reasons. I am a Destination Wedding Photographer in France. (I do travel across Europe when asked!) So you can imagine …

What is the celebration of spring in Nice la Fête des Mais? Phoebe has the answer. On the 1st of May and then every Sunday throughout the month, Nice celebrates the arrival of spring.  This custom dates back to Roman times when a “Mai” (a large pine tree felled in …

“Where I was born doesn’t help clarify anything, it just complicates things! Born in Paris but moved when two weeks old so not exactly a Parisienne! Pure coincidence that I’m now married to a Frenchman and living in France. I have two passports, British & Australian but feel international.” That …

By Chrissie I got back to Europe from Australia this morning. As usually happens when I go home to Sydney, people (especially those who I don’t know very well) kept asking me: “When are you coming home?” (ie moving home. growing up. coming back to reality – it’s a loaded question – I’ve been travelling pretty …

By aixcentric It really is the best time to hit the coast. You can drive there! You can park! Enjoy empty beaches, restaurants and art gallery! In fact this photo shows the world-famous celeb-magnet Pampelonne Beach last week…not a footballer, WAG or starlet in sight. Just us, Explore this Post …

By Chrissie I’m still getting used to a Northern Hemisphere Christmas. Yes, I’m one of those strange people from the south who thinks Christmas should be hot, spent outside by the barbeque, enjoying a traditional festive menu of prawns and mangoes, before an afternoon swim to cool off. Explore this Post …

By PestoPistou A cousin of the Ligurian focaccia, which is also known as fugassa over there, fougasse is a provençal loaf easily recognised by the slashes cut through it prior to baking. Back in August, after a mooch round the beautiful Cours Saleya food and flower market in Vieux Nice, …

By aixcentric With not one but two Grimaldi babies due at the end of the year, it’ll be all eyes on the Palais Princier de Monaco. Although we have visited Monaco at various times, I hadn’t realised that in fact you can go for a tour inside the palace. Speed …