Today we’re going to be talking about a man who in his time was one of the most powerful men in the world. He had a huge impact on French history. He had lavish tastes, he was a control freak, he loved the arts and believed himself chosen by God to rule over millions of people. You might have guessed who I’m talking about by now. It is the only and only Louis XIV, the Sun King. Louis, also known as the “God given one”, was arguably one of the greatest Kings of France, certainly one of the most remembered. Inheriting the throne at just four years old, he was a Machiavellian puppet master whose ..read more

I leaned my bike against the centuries old stone fountain and filled my water bottles with the fresh, cold water streaming from the spout. Across the street I could see the ancient entranceway that led into the old town. It was my first visit to Vence and I was immediately captivated with this picturesque medieval town situated on a small plateau overlooking the Mediterranean Sea. Less than ten years later my wife and I would pack up everything we owned and move from Nashville, TN to this charming little corner of southeast France. We’ve been here five years now and I’ve never looked back onc ..read more

Being born into the French aristocracy in 1864, Henri Toulouse-Lautrec could have luxuriated in a life of country comforts at the family chateau in Albi, in the idyllic south-west. Instead, he immersed himself in the seedy demi-monde of gritty Montmartre, producing artworks of astonishing originality, perception and intensity that reflected the lives of the outcasts and bohemians he chose to live among. In his teenage years, Toulouse-Lautrec was marked as being physically different in a highly visible way. He emerged from an upper class that was notoriously inbred – his parents were first cou ..read more

When it comes to moving to France from any country, it can be a challenge but add into the equation a move from a non-EU country and it can be a truly daunting prospect when it comes to the administration and paperwork that is required to make the transition. There are so many aspects to think about when moving to France.  You’ll need a visa, and there are several types you can apply for depending on your project. You’ll need to apply for a residency card – at the right time. Get a bank account.  Set up an account in the tax system – it doesn’t matter if you’re not working, you still ..read more

Welcome to this ‘petite’ podcast, a bite-sized episode dedicated to french art de vivre. Ever wondered what exactly is French art de vivre? In this petite podcast episode, we explain all, where it comes from and  what it is. We look at how it’s a fundamental part of the French psyche and a way to elevate the ordinary things of everyday life to the extraordinary. Dive into the heart of French culture to explore ‘art de vivre,’ a philosophy that transforms everyday life into an art form. Plus we look at how everyone can practice art de vivre and bring a smile to each day… Brit Janine Mars ..read more

Cassis is a year-round charmer with its café-bordered quays on the edge of the Mediterranean Sea, and 300 days of sunshine a year. Brimming with charm, it’s a perfect weekend destination – the fast train from Paris takes just 3 hours 48 minutes, and Marseille is just 25km away (30 minutes by train) – and a world apart. What to see and do in Cassis A good way to get your bearings is by taking the ‘little train’ tour of the town.  And the very best way to experience Cassis is to wander it’s pretty streets and port and simply soak up the atmosphere and take in the sights. Ancient buildings ..read more

What does your dream of France look like? Maybe you long to sail the dazzling blue waters of the Côte d’Azur and enjoy fine dining in exquisite, little-known restaurants. Or a tour of France’s historic cities and iconic sites from the Eiffel Tower to the Loire Châteaux? Perhaps you’d prefer to stroll through Provence’s lavender fields and vineyards, sipping champagne as the sun sets? Whatever your vision of France, Osprey Boutique Travel can turn it into a reality. Born and raised in France, but now living in California, Stephanie Burtin, the owner, has unique insights and French native exper ..read more

One of the glories of France is its cuisine, and each region has its own delicious specialties. Along the country’s Mediterranean coast, you’ll find three culinary cousins to tantalize your tastebuds. They are made from the same ingredients, but in very different ways. Panisse, cade, and socca are found from Marseille to the Italian border, and they share a common ancestor: Italy’s farinata. Centuries ago, Italian workers from Liguria brought this poor man’s dish with them as they labored in France. Some say that they first came to Toulouse at Napoleon’s request, to repair French navel vessels ..read more

In Nyons, in the Drome department, south of France, you can witness a timeless Provençal tradition, the ancient craft of weaving ‘scourtins’ – round filter mats that are made from natural coconut fibres. Jeremy Flint visits a workshop where the old mat-making customs are treasured. Walking into the Scourtinerie workshop on the banks of the river Eygues, I felt as if I had stepped back in time. The sight of age-old machinery and the rattling of steel spindles ringing loud was mesmerising as coloured fabric spun in a frenzied state, becoming increasingly entangled as the threads took shape, wea ..read more

France’s ultimate comfort food, hearty pot-au-feu is a robust beef stew that has been a firm favourite since the middle ages and refined over the centuries to this tastebud-tickling dish. Pot au feu literally means ‘pot in the fire’, the traditional way it was cooked hundreds of years ago. Then it was a dish that the poor ate, but over he centuries it became more and more popular with all levels of society, essentially becoming the national dish of France. Here’s how to make a classic French pot au feu. Pot-au-feu for 8 Preparation: 35 minutes Cooking: 2 hours 30 hours Ingredients 1 lb. (500 ..read more