Lavender Fields in Provence
Carolyne Kauser-AbbottInspireShopping & Gifts

Lavender in Provence Creating New Artisans

Exploring the Provencal market stands piled high with seasonal produce, fragrant fresh fruit, buckets of just-picked flowers, table linens and bright pottery is pure delight. However, it’s not always rewarding for market vendors facing early mornings, erratic weather, and fickle crowds. Determined to carry on an artisanal tradition, Elsa Lenthal, …

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Book Provençal Christmas Story Susan Kiernan Lewis book cover
Books on ProvenceInspireMary Jane Deeb

Book Review: A Provençal Christmas Story

Accomplished Author In 2011, Susan Kiernan-Lewis published a book entitled “How to Succeed as an Indie Author,” which, for some reason, is no longer available on the market. She then followed her advice and today has become one of the most prolific Indie authors in the US. The numbers speak …

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Santons Christmas Provence Creche Scene
Guest PostInspireProvencal History & Traditions

Santons the Signs of Christmas in Provence

This guest post about the Santons and Christmas in Provence comes from Marie-Helene, the co-founder of the online store Remember Provence. They curate Provencal-themed housewares, gift items and culinary ingredients and ship to customers around the world. Remember Provence represents only high-quality products produced traditionally. Please follow this link to …

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Souleiado Museum Printed Fabrics les Indiennes
Guest PostInspireShopping & Gifts

Printed Provencal Fabrics the Indiennes of Provence

It is impossible to visit a market in Provence without seeing sellers of tablecloths, napkins, and other items for home decor. As a word of warning, beware of quality and place of origin as you may not be buying made-in-Provence products. The original printed Provencal fabrics were called les Indiennes. …

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Provence Legends Tarasque Monster Tarascon
ExploreMargo LestzVillages Towns and Cities

Tarascon Fêtes de la Tarasque Festival for the Fun of It

Fêtes de la Tarasque Don’t miss this quirky Provencal festival. There are dragons in the streets and much more to entertain all ages. We were preparing to leave Nice and fly back to London. And, just out of curiosity, I had a peek at what was going on in Provence. …

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Provencal Fabrics Easy EntertainingCotton rectangular-tablecloths
Carolyne Kauser-AbbottInspireShopping & Gifts

Provencal Fabrics for Easy Summer Entertaining

Provencal Fabrics on Sale! Hot summer days and warm evenings beg for hassle-free entertaining – picnics, garden parties. Table settings to match the season makes outdoor dining easy. Today bright, cotton Provencal prints mirror images of the region; the cigale (cicada), lavender, sunflowers, and olives. Until July 31st, Remember Provence …

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Christmas Traditions Santons Provence
InspireMartine Bertin-PetersonProvencal History & Traditions

Christmas Traditions the Santons of Provence

One thing that always warms my heart during the holidays in Provence is the culture’s commitment to quality and tradition. We always see pictures of the endless lavender fields and crystal azure skies, but I feel as though Christmas time is when the real Provence shines brightest. Free from the …

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Sainte-Barbe Ble d’Esperance @Aixcentric
AixcentricExploreWhat's On Provence & Cote d'Azur

Sainte-Barbe it’s time to plant Blé d’Esperance in Provence

Contributor blog post by Aixcentric: If you’re in Provence, you will probably have already bought your little pack of seeds to plant today to mark the feast of Saint Barbara (Sainte-Barbe), and hopefully with some warmth and sunshine, they will be ready for Christmas. The local saying is: Quand le blé …

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Christmas Traditions 13 Desserts of Provence @PerfProvence
Carolyne Kauser-AbbottProvencal RecipesTaste

Discover the Tradition of the 13 Desserts of Christmas in Provence

A buffet table laden with 13 desserts! How could the French be so smug as to think that North Americans with our turkey-centric Christmas dinners, stuffing, cranberry sauce, mashed potatoes and a variety of sides are excessive? Or so I felt when I first heard about this holiday tradition. However, …

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Christmas Taditions and books on Provence @maryjanedeeb
Books on ProvenceInspireMary Jane Deeb

Book Review The Christmas Kalends of Provence

The Christmas Kalends of Provence, by Thomas Allibone Janvier, was first published in 1902 and republished many times since. The edition I am using is a facsimile published by Bibliobazaar, 2007, Charleston, South Carolina. Reviewed by Mary-Jane Deeb A few years ago my publisher, Paraclete Press, gave me a small …

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