Before friends and family freak out … The emergency visit to the hospital in the small town of Bagnol-sur-Ceze was not for me. One of my dear friends, Sue, fell backwards off a 2-foot garden wall while trimming a tree. She had to be rushed to the hospital. She was …

Contributor blog post by Jill Barth: Join me here, on Twitter or Instagram for my traditional 12 Days of Wine. Combining photography, wine facts and vineyard history we’ll enjoy a treat each day to celebrate the season of cheer. After we’ve woven through 12 days, I’ll offer my tips on …

The photo is just an example of the great mix of treasures you’ll find at Carpentras. The Sunday antique market at Carpentras is my favourite weekly antique market. As you may already know, the town of Isle sur la Sorgue is the king of antiques in the south of France. …

Whether you are a visitor or a resident in France, you may need to visit a post office. The system is surprisingly efficient given the fact that it is operated by a heavily unionized workforce. La Poste does offer a large number of services online –  here is the website. …

French by birth, a traveller by nature, Martine Bertin-Peterson is a Marketing and Management Professor at the College of New Jersey. However, once classes wind down for the summer, Martine begins her bespoke Goût et Voyage tours in Provence.  “What more can a man ask of heaven? If I should happen to die …

December is upon us! I haven’t even begun my Christmas shopping. Oh my… The Christmas markets have already started here in Provence but now it’s getting serious. Stacks of foie gras and artian chocolates are piled high in the grocery stores, the smell of roasted chestnuts and mulled wine is …

Contributor blog post by Elizabeth Gabay: Vin cuit and the 13 desserts are a traditional combination served at Christmas in Provence. Today, however, the 13 desserts are often only symbolically represented – with baskets filled with a selection of dried and glacé fruits and nuts, available in most food shops around …

Have you ever considered buying black truffle plants? Truffle plants could be a fabulous gift. The black truffle, often called “the diamond of the kitchen” grows underground close to a tree’s root system. There are hundreds of truffle varieties. Learn more at Ginger and Nutmeg’s blog post: Provence’s Black Truffle Demystified   …

Looking for an alternative to gluhwein and gingerbread this festive season? Or simply looking for a chance to find your festive spirit? Luckily, as with every year, numerous events are taking place throughout the vineyards of Provence to help us get into the Christmas mood, such as traditional Christmas markets. …

Contributor blog post by Bill Magill: We are stardust We are golden And we’ve got to get ourselves Back to the garden Much is written on the merits of eating locally and seasonally. I’m a fan and advocate, and adopting this practice in Provence is easy and immensely pleasurable. The …