Contributor blog post by Mirabeau Wine: The Spanish introduced Olea europaea to the Mediterranean basin in 8000 B.C. The longevity of these noble trees is legendary at thousands of years. Olive oil production dates back to the Bronze age. With a maximum height of 15 metres, olive trees have got …

A friend and I walked in the hills that nestle Cotignac, and the scent of thyme and rosemary wafting up inspired me to bring some of this countryside goodness to my hubby, who was spending the day in bed trying to get over his flu. Being a rather experimental cook, …

Contributor blog post by Phoebe Thomas: Wolves used to be endemic to France but persecution and human encroachment on their habitat drastically reduced their numbers and by 1940 they were declared extinct in France.  However in 1992 a pair of grey wolves was discovered in the Mercantour National Park in …

Contributor blog post by David Taylor: After last years poor olive crop – this year was a record harvest! 175 Kilos And as an added luxury and complete surprise whilst we were away on holiday our house and cat guardians picked all the olives and took them to the mill …

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 Mirabeau Wine: Wine is a great Christmas present for many reasons, as long as it’s appropriate…i.e. you are not giving it to your spouse who’s really expecting a diamond ring or to someone who’s teetotal.  But it’s a fantastic present for family and friends as well …

Over 600 years! Talk about a recipe that has stood the test of time. 72% vegetable oil 28% moisture content Small amounts of salt and soda ash A cauldron with the perfect amount of heat Large moulds for the appropriate cure time A little Mistral to help with drying Start …

Christmas markets in France are becoming increasingly popular every year, yet when many people think of Christmas markets in Europe, France probably doesn’t even spring to mind. A quick internet search will throw up many suggestions for Germany and Austria, maybe Belgium too, but France doesn’t often feature. Continue reading …

Recently, author and Perfectly Provence contributor PJ Adams visited the Strasbourg Christmas Market. PJ wrote this article following her trip to France where she compares the seasonal holiday traditions between Alsace and Provence. Keep reading for PJ’s tasty Christmas post on sauerkraut, gingerbread, calissons and nougat. Strasbourg France, the “Capital …

Much has been written about Vincent Van Gogh’s life, the famous Dutch painter who led an expressive, tortured life. This statue le voleur de tournesol (the Sunflower Thief) by Gabriel Sterk may just capture the essence of Van Gogh’s work – as you never quite look at sunflowers, irises, olive trees …