When I did my equivalent of the Grand Tour of Europe (minus the stately balls) in my 20s, Nice was the place we landed after an exhausting whirlwind of cities and train rides. Broke and fatigued, my then-boyfriend and I decided to spend a few extra days recuperating by the …

Contributor blog post by Phoebe Thomas: Every year in early autumn in the Alps animals that have spent the summer grazing in high pastures are brought down to the valleys for the winter.  This movement of livestock is called transhumance and in many villages it’s the perfect opportunity to get together and celebrate; a …

Originally published on Emotional Escapes Blog: Being in Provence during Autumn is magical. Nature and landscapes always change. Just for the pleasure of the eyes, for your feed Instagram or for the photo album memories, where you can find the field of lavender or poppies, the deserted beach, the flamingos …

Contributor blog post by Ashley Tinker: November in Provence. Bring on the chestnuts! We’re currently in Corsica and it seems that roasting them in your front yard is the thing to do. Love it. Are you in the holiday spirit yet? The massive amounts of high-quality chocolate boxes at the supermarkets …

Contributor blog post by Barefoot Blogger: How do you spend an autumn week in the south of France? Visiting beaux villages; going to brocante stores and outdoor markets; dining with friends and eating great food. That’s how! Have I told you lately how much I love France?After spending a few stressful months …

Contributor blog post by Ashley Tinker: Octobre en Provence With the grape harvest long done due to a very dry summer, locals are concentrating on the olive harvest this month. You’ll drive by olive groves and see wooden ladders hidden among the trees. Furthermore, the olives vertes cassées made by many …

Contributor blog post by Ashley Tinker: This is the month where just about the whole of Northern France descends onto the beaches of the Côte d’Azur. On the radio, they announce “black weekends” which signify lots of Parisians heading south causing a rather lot of traffic. Everyone is finally on …

Contributor blog post by Vaucluse Dreamer: Spring is in the air in Provence: Once again we have flung open the shutters on the house, switched the hot water on, filled the fridge & checked the tyres on the bikes. Over the last year (and it really is nearly a year since …

Contributor blog post by Ashley Tinker: Punnets full of the best tasting strawberries you’ve ever imagined have arrived at the local veg shop. There are new leaves on the trees and yes, it’s my birthday month! The locals say that the season officially starts at Easter. To mark this, it …

Contributor blog post by Deborah Bine: As long as I can remember I’ve dreamt about Antibes. When thoughts of the tiny dot-of-a-place on the French Rivera came to my mind, I’d imagine myself lounging on the deck of a massive yacht. Sipping champagne. Dining in the moonlight. Sigh… Little did …