Vincent Van Gogh visited Montmajour Abbey at least fifty times, he wrote, just to look at the view across the plain. Today's visitors to Provence, France, are drawn to the abbey for the same reason and to see the impressive old ruin in stone, a French historical monument and the oldest abbey in Provence. It was a significant site from the time construction began in the tenth century, ... Read Full Article
Marseille, European Capital of Culture
Marseille is in the spotlight this year; the historic seaport on France's Mediterranean coast was chosen European Capital of Culture for 2013. A dazzling array of displays, performances, and exhibitions is underway and, happily for visitors who can't get there this year, much of it will spill into the future. The city, with government and EU assistance, has renovated museums, constructed ... Read Full Article
Where to Stay in Nice, France: Editor’s Picks
Nice is an amazing city and most hotels are within walking distance of both the Old Town and the sea. When choosing where to stay, remember that most of Nice’s hotels are older. Most all have been recently renovated, but the style could be a bit out-dated. Our ‘where to stay’ options are organized by star ranking, beginning with 5-star hotels and ending with featured budget hotels. Special ... Read Full Article
Prowling Around Provence: Day-trips from Marseille
It’s not happenstance that Marseille is an ideal base for exploring Provence. We love to take day-trips from Marseille because the Romans built roads from here in all directions, which the modern-day routes often follow. My husband and I have made use of these Roman routes many times as we explored the Provencal countryside. We’ve developed a system for our expeditions: we leave ... Read Full Article
Top Five Historic Sites in Marseille, France
Be prepared to travel back in time as you visit these top five historic sites in Marseille, France. An established seaport, Marseille boasts a unique maritime history, dating back to the ancient Greeks and Romans. The city is committed to remembering and preserving its history through a variety of historic sites and museums. Le Musée des Docks Romains Located on the site of a former ... Read Full Article
Where to Stay in Arles, France: Editor’s Picks
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 architecture that he loved so much. Cobblestone streets will lead you to Roman ruins, art ... Read Full Article
Up Close Guide to Marseille
Marseille, the second most populated city in France after Paris, was founded in 600 BC by Greek sailors. They named it Massalia. Under Roman rule, Massalia became Marsala, which, eventually turned into Marseille. With such a rich legacy, it should not come as a surprise that Marseille has been elected the European Capital of Culture for the year 2013. The city and its inhabitants are preparing ... Read Full Article
Menton: “The Pearl of France”
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 east). Thanks to the region’s subtropical micro-climate, les mentonnais (inhabitants of Menton) enjoy ... Read Full Article
Eco-Friendly Provence
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 supporter of the Kyoto agreement and their eventual ambition of 54 million tons of saved CO2 by 2010 ... Read Full Article
Sightseeing and Soaking Up The Sun in France’s Saint Tropez
During my year as an English instructor at Lycée du Golfe de Saint Tropez (Saint Tropez Gulf High School), I had many weekends and lazy afternoons to both sight see and soak up the famous Saint Tropez sun. The first day I visited Saint Tropez, I found the contrast between the intense blue of the ocean and the cheerful, peach and yellow buildings to be quite inviting. As I ventured further into ... Read Full Article