Carole Bumpus began exploring Provence in 1997 when she and her husband Winston visited the region for the first time with two other couples. Their stay in a remote village in the Var provides a flavour of Provencal life away from the crowds and enough of a taste of the …

Escaping from the vibrant Côte d’Azur to the serene countryside is always refreshing. Less than an hour’s drive from Cannes, you’ll find the charming medieval village of Tourrettes, nestled in the Var department. This village is one of the eight ‘villages perchés’ of the Pays de Fayence, along with Mons, …

Did you know that the word cereal comes from Ceres, that beautiful Roman goddess of harvest and agriculture? Humans have been cultivating grains since time immemorial; even Neanderthals collected them to bake into some reasonably complex dishes (mentioned in the blog post Breaking Bread in Palestine on my website). Grains, …

The family reunion began in Paris, with ten (10) of us gathering for two nights. It was an intense program as the kids wanted to visit all the sights from Sacré Coeur to the Eiffel Tower and points in between. After three nights in the “City of Lights,” we took …

Few things exist so precious and beneficial to our health and happiness than that pure, liquid gold – olive oil. Softening, calming and astringent, olive oil nourishes strengthens and protects us inside and out. Containing vitamins E and K, omegas 3 and 6, and phenolic compounds, olive oil promotes anti-oxidant …

A walk along the promenade at Les Lecques, around the little port and out to sea along the jetty has always been a family favourite, but I’ve always struggled to find a vegetarian lunch after our walk. It’s a typical French seaside resort with all the menu choices the locals …

Cotignac is a small but lively village in the Var region with a rich and fascinating history that goes right back to medieval times. It is an ‘open village’ that already provides a colourful history, but for lovers of art, there is far more than meets the eye, as Cotignac …

On Monday, August 16th, a fire broke out near a motorway service station close to Gonfaron. Although the exact cause is to be confirmed, human carelessness caused the blaze. The ignition found the fuel needed with dry scrubland in the Var resulting from hot summer temperatures and near-drought conditions. The …

Discover the Pays de Fayence The Pays de Fayence is only a 30-minute drive from Saint-Raphaël. The area is a quiet contrast to the busy Mediterranean coast. With its perched villages and unspoilt natural setting, this region of Provence remains anchored to the past. There are nine (9) hilltop villages …

With non-essential travel to France restricted due to Covid-19, soulmates Catherine Karnow (National Geographic photographer) and Gilles Portaz (geography and history professor) spent a year apart. Finally, thanks to the “love visa,” a compassionate entry permit for non-married couples, they were reunited in Provence in November 2020. They got reacquainted …