We are thrilled to introduce our new and exciting service – Cooking and Conversation classes in my village of Fontvieille in the Alpilles. French Language Cooking Classes: In collaboration with Catherine, a certified French teacher with over 25 years of experience, our two-hour class provides a unique blend of culinary ..read more

Spring in Provence is a delightful experience with the promise of warmer days ahead and market stalls brimming with just-picked ingredients. As the daylight hours get longer and the temperatures rise, shifting from hearty winter meals to lighter seasonal options suits the local produce. We have been fortunate to collaborate ..read more

The six of us were gathered around the island in Stephanie Villegas’ kitchen wearing olive green Laurel aprons. It was time for our group to stop the banter and pay attention to the chef; otherwise, we might not eat lunch. We were at Atelier Laurel for a hands-on cooking class ..read more

Provence’s Mediterranean climate includes warm, dry summers, mild winters, and soil well-suited for vineyards. It’s no wonder that the wine regions of Provence are well known for producing some of the best wines in France – and around the world. The following article overviews the Provence wine regions, wineries and ..read more

The artists and artisans of Forcalquier open their doors for the ninth edition of Ateliers Ouverts from July 29th through August 1st, 2022. Les Ateliers Ouverts Truly a celebration of creativity, the event takes place throughout the town with street entertainment, outdoor photo displays and art shown in galleries, shop windows and artist’s studios. Visitors can consult a guided map or wander at their leisure, following painted markings on the streets to discover the workshops and galleries. Rue Marius Debout, Forcalquier ©Yves Riché The Association Ateliers Forcalquier organises the festiva ..read more

Göran Boman, the author of The Wines of Provence – Tricolour, wrote the article below. Based in Sweden, far from Provence’s vineyards, he has visited many times, and his knowledge of the vineyards and wines of the region is impressive. Below is an excerpt from an article he wrote earlier this year about the dry conditions, unseasonable hot temperatures and how the French vineyards are coping. Almost all of France has experienced severe drought conditions in 2022. Before the official start of summer, 25% of the departments are experiencing different degrees of irrigation restrictions! The winte ..read more

Visit the lavender fields near Aix-en-Provence! Terre Ugo is a 7-hectare family farm located on the outskirts of Aix in Puyricard. In 2017, the family planted 30,000 organic Lavandin Grosso plants on a portion of the property. Now, during the peak of the flowering season, you can visit Terre Ugo to walk through the fields, take a workshop, have a meal, or shop in the boutique. Terre Ugo ©Nicolas Elsen Who was Ugo? Flowers were perhaps destiny for Ugo (Hugo in English), who was born in Grasse, Provence’s perfume capital, in 1924. Shortly afterwards, the toddler and his parents moved to Piedmo ..read more

If you are here because you have already read about my brief visit to Avignon, you probably recall that I spent a few days there last fall – my first trip back to France after 22 months of absence and my first visit to this wonderful city. Picking up the story from where I left it a few months ago, I am taking you back to Provence on a photo tour of several other places that have left an unforgettable impression and a strong desire to return. They are all within a 2-hour drive from Avignon. Nîmes (Bar de la Bourse) After becoming acquainted with the charming Avignon landmarks and spending a ..read more

Our 2022 summer menu comes from Emma Kershaw, who lives in the South of France near the Spanish border. Start the evening with a savoury octopus pie from Sète, followed by a chilled soup, then the Catalan variation of fish stew and a sweet fruit finish. In June 2016, several French administrative regions amalgamated to achieve service and staffing efficiencies. One such change was Languedoc-Roussillon, the area that shares borders with Provence and Spain. It is now part of Occitanie. Incorporating the Pyrenees and the Mediterranean coastline, it is one of France’s major wine-producing areas. T ..read more

Diehard fan or not, you are likely aware of Bob Dylan’s success as a singer-songwriter and musician. However, it might have surprised others (besides me) when he won the 2016 Nobel Prize for literature “for having created new poetic expressions within the great American song tradition.” But, on the other hand, perhaps those who were paying attention also knew of Dylan’s talents as an artist. Indeed, this was the case at Château la Coste, the vineyard with a renowned contemporary sculpture collection, top-notch restaurants, and wine. Unveiled in May 2022, Bob Dylan’s Rail Car sculpture is now a ..read more