Aix-en-Provence The Inside Story Cover
Books on ProvenceCarolyne Kauser-AbbottInspire

Book Review: Aix-en-Provence The Inside Story

First published in 2013, Aix-en-Provence The Inside Story was updated and reprinted in colour in 2021. In this book, author Lynne Alderson shares the history of this attractive city and its colourful inhabitants. The Author Lynne Alderson studied English Language and Literature at Edinburgh University. Her career encompassed journalism and …

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Roman Traces Apt was Apta Julia
ExploreJulie WhitmarshVillages Towns and Cities

Apt was once Apta Julia the Roman City

A couple of years ago, I had the opportunity to do a pop-up event with my jewellery in the cellar of our friends’ newly restored townhouse and apartments in the centre of Apt Cent Cinq. I say cellar, but this was the most beautiful, vaulted stone room, set below the …

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Aix-en-Provence Book
AixcentricBooks on ProvenceInspire

Aix-en-Provence Book The Inside Story in Colour

Delighted to say that my book Aix-en-Provence The Inside Story is being re-issued, brought up to date and now in colour throughout.  It‘s eight (8) years since it was first published, and I believe I am right in saying that it’s still the only book to cover the story of …

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Bell Tower Hotel de Ville Aix-en-Provence #AixenProvence @PerfectlyProvence
AixcentricInspireProvencal History & Traditions

The Seasons of Tour de l’Horloge in Aix-en-Provence

After 18 years in Aix, I only realized that it’s actually someone’s job to clamber up narrow staircases and reach across the void inside the Tour de l’Horloge to manoeuvre the four (4) statues around every 3 months when the season changes. It’s down to (or should we say up …

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Parchments Archives Antibes History
InspireJemma - French LessonsProvencal History & Traditions

The Archives in Antibes for a Look at History

It’s unlikely that a trip to the municipal archives in Antibes would be on many (or any) visitor’s to-do list. However, for me, the chance to see parchments dating from the 1300s was irresistible. When four parchments appeared in a British auction house two months ago, the city of Antibes …

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Nice's Cathedral Russian France
InspireKeith Van SickleProvencal History & Traditions

Nice’s Cathedral the Most Russian Spot in France

There are so many fun things to do in Nice—you can walk along the Promenade des Anglais, enjoy the view from one of those famous blue chairs, and dig into a salade niçoise at a café in the Old Town. Now here’s one to add to your list: visit the …

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Molinari sardine Two Famous Marseille Expressions
InspireKeith Van SickleProvencal History & Traditions

Two Famous Marseille Expressions

“C’est la sardine qui a bouché le port de Marseille!” (A sardine blocked Marseille’s port!) This local saying is famous throughout France. Another that is less well-known is “Chercher Molinari” (look for Molinari). Both expressions, curiously, come from the same famous disaster that took place in the 18th century. The …

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Jean Moulin French Resistance
Carolyne Kauser-AbbottInspireProvencal History & Traditions

Who Was Jean Moulin French Resistance Leader?

World War II France Jean Moulin is not a familiar name to those, like myself, who only took basic history courses in school. Our overview of World War II never mentioned this wartime hero. Once we began spending time in the Alpilles and noticed the Route Jean Moulin road signs, …

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Walking Tour Fountains Aix Jean Malte
Carolyne Kauser-AbbottExploreVillages Towns and Cities

Take a Walking Tour the Fountains of Aix-en-Provence

Fountains and Roman Baths Aix-en-Provence is known as the City of Water. Settled in 122 BC by the Romans who found natural springs, they called the city Aquae Sextiae after one of their important consuls Sextius Calvinus. The “Waters of Sextius” provided the population with water (both hot and cold) …

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Le Train Bleu Paris
ExploreJ. Christina

Le Train Bleu Paris the French Riviera Connection

Luxury Travel French Riviera During the height of the Jazz Age, the wealthy and affluent made the French Riviera their playground along with resort towns on the Mediterranean coastline. Their sojourn would begin at Paris’s Gare de Lyon train station, where the luxury night train, Le Train Bleu, wound its …

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