We drove to St-Remy-de-Provence, 20 km from Avignon, bright and early to make sure we missed nothing of the famous St. Remy Market. After parking on the edge of town, we followed the fast-paced, empty-basket toting crowds, to centre ville, while taking in the colors and fragrances of this wonderful Provencal tradition. We passed olive …
At sundown, I sip a glass of Provencal vin rosé entranced by this ever-changing light on Mont Ste-Victoire from the terrace of a house close to Aix en Provence. I promptly decide I must drive all the way around it tomorrow following the Route Cézanne. I want to get up close and it’s an easy …
Highlights of a trip to Provence will usually include visits to wineries and ancient hilltop villages, as well as leisurely lunches – but there is another interesting side to this region of France. During a road trip through beautiful Provence, I learned that you don’t have to go to Rome to see some of the best-preserved Roman …
Check-out our recommendations for where to stay in and around Arles from every price-point. We love Arles and find that this ancient town, set in the heart of Provence, to be a perfect place to immerse yourself in the essence of Provence. Home for a time to Van Gogh, you’ll discover the warm colors and the …
After spending quite a bit of time in Menton when I lived on the French Riviera, I can assure you that the city lives up to its nickname “the pearl of France.” Located in France’s Côte d’Azur, Menton’s unique culture is influenced by its proximity to both Monaco (to the west) and Italy (to the …
One area in France that seems to have all their eco ducks in order is Provence. There are few areas in the world that have been blessed with as many wonderful sights, aromas and sounds as Provence and now they can add “eco friendly Provence” to the list. The French government has long been a strong …
The Ardèche Gorge, the largest natural canyon in Europe, angles through southern France, northwest of Avignon. Its craggy limestone cliffs rise as high as 1,000 feet. The Ardèche River begins in the massif central, cuts through the gorge and crosses the plateau to flow into the Rhone. The best-known landmark of the gorge is Vallon …
Shortly after we began dating, my (now) husband introduced me to fruit confit (candied fruit). He held out a tiny sugar coated piece of orange and asked me if I wanted to try it. As I reached for it, he pulled it back and cut off a microscopic piece for me. As I tasted its …
When I worked as an English teacher in a French lycée (high school), I lived in a small town near Saint Tropez called Gassin. Gassin was incredibly lovely, and its 3,000 inhabitants were absolutely charming and more than hospitable to this obviously américaine outsider. I spent my first few weekends there perusing the goods at …
Nice may have its boardwalk along the deep blue sea and Monaco its glitzy casinos, but in between, perched high on a rocky outcrop, is the ancient village Èze. No place along the Cote d’ Azur can match the views from this enchanting site over the sea. To get there from Nice, simply take bus …