As you wind your way across the plains of the Vaucluse in Provence (all olive groves, lavender and vineyards), you see Oppède le Vieux hanging above you on the north face of the Petit Luberon. It looks haunting and beautiful… The rise… Oppède le Vieux dates back to at least the 12th century. At the […]
Fontvieille is a charming Provençal village in the Bouches-du-Rhône department in the far south of France, close to Arles and Saint-Rémy-de-Provence. This quaint old town has a lovely old lavoir (wash house), a shady central square, and a bustling open-air market on Monday mornings. It is a delightful place to spend a few pleasant hours […]
What do the Romans, Nostradamus and Van Gogh have in common? Give up? For a time, they all bunked down in the enticing Provençal enclave that we know as Saint-Rémy-de-Provence. Here, the Romans built Glanum. The renowned seer entered the world. And the Dutch artist created his masterpiece, Starry Nights. Fast forward to the 21st […]
We asked Julia Girard-Gervois of TripUSAFrance who has run brilliant tours of the south of France for many years – when’s the best time to visit the south of France in the summer? “The last week of August is pretty good” she said, to our surprise. We asked her to tell us more… Why the […]
The town of Carpentras in the department of Vaucluse, Provence, is spectacular. At the foot of Mont Ventoux, it has a rather exotic feel, almost Roman with its terracotta roofs and fabulous fountains. The market in Carpentras is one of the best in Provence – no strike that. It’s one of the best in France. […]
If you love charming villages with oodles of historic monuments and art galleries, Saint-Paul-de-Vence is definitely somewhere you should put on your must-see list. Located in the Alpes-Maritime department on the French Riviera, this medieval village is one of the prettiest hilltop towns of Provence. Cobbled streets, centuries old buildings, small squares, vaulted passageways, arcades […]
St Tropez is possibly the world’s most famous summertime playground for the rich, celebrities, rockstars and the disgustingly rich. It’s said you can never be too rich or too gorgeous for St Tropez. But, what about the rest of us? What delights does St Tropez offer if you’re a mere mortal? It’s a fun place […]
On the French Riviera, between chic Cannes and elegant Nice, sophisticated Antibes sits on the edge of the Mediterranean Sea basking in the sun… The southern French seaside resort has oodles of charm and has long lured tourists to enjoy the old town, the arty vibe, the golden sandy beaches and memorable sunsets. Writer F. […]
Provence is famous for its charming hilltop villages, brilliant sunflowers, and fragrant lavender. It is also where you can find some of the best Roman ruins in all of Europe. This is because Provence was once an important part of the Roman Empire. The Romans even gave it its name: “Provence” comes from the original […]
Wine, truffles and chocolate! And that’s just to start. Who doesn’t love Provence? You could spend a lifetime here and still not sample all of its rich produce. But that doesn’t mean you shouldn’t try! Weird, wonderful and wickedly delicious Vaucluse If you’re going to try and eat and drink your way through an entire […]
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We talk to chef and author Lisa Baker Morgan who splits her life between Los Angeles and Paris. As a Paris local with a love of food, culture and history, she shares some of her top tips for visitors the the city of light… What draws you to Paris – the things that make you […]
Visitors to the French Riviera between Nice and the Italian border can experience many heavenly hikes. Signposted walks take you alongside the glorious blue Mediterranean sea, past some of the richest real estate in the world and through gorgeous villages. Australian Susan McDonald has enjoyed many walks in the South of France and shares some […]
Some quotes from France are beyond famous. King Louis XIV saying “I am the state” or Napoleon’s “An army travels on its stomach” are known around the world. And, if you love quotes, you’ll enjoy these fun France sayings from around the world… “How can you govern a country that has 246 varieties of cheese?”—Charles […]
Located between the bustling city of Nice and the uber-opulence of Monaco, Villefranche-sur-Mer is a little corner of paradise. Pretty as a picture, in this ancient village visitors can experience history, culture and the glorious Mediterranean. Susan Macdonald from Australia says it’s the perfect place for a holiday when you’re travelling solo. Vive Villefranche Fashion […]
The prime summer vacation months in France are July and August, when school is out and the weather is beautiful. Which raises a question: when should a French person go on vacation? The french even have nicknames for those who take a holiday in the summer! Traditionally, most people went in August, when factories closed […]
As a poultry keeper, I’m always amazed by the antics of my birds. I have ducks, chickens and geese – they’re pets, not for the pot, despite the urging of my French neighbours. I love them all but it’s the chickens who for me are the most fascinating. Ducks fight it out to establish a […]
At No. 18, Rue de Paridis, close to the Gare de L’Est is a house of horrors that’s popular with Parisians and visitors alike. Le Manoir de Paris is a theatrical show that’s very unusual. If you want a very different sort of Paris experience from the classic Eiffel Tower, Arc de Triomphe, Louvre type […]
A couple of years ago now, we went through a torrid time in what is now called “The Year of 52 ducklings”. It was all my fault. As a city slicker, moving to the countryside of northern France has been a bit of a learning curve to put it mildly. And when it comes to […]