Dear France Travelers, Provence is possibly the most beautiful and rewarding region in all of France. It is known for picturesque villages, stunning countryside, flavorful cuisine, wonderful wines, colorful markets, fragrant gardens and relaxed culture. Please join us for this extra-special immersion experience where you will have the chance to really ‘live in Provence’ for a…

If you’ve ever been to France, you know that the French have a definite sweet tooth. Pastry shops can be found every other block in Paris it seems, with their colorful and picture-perfect sugary confections lined up in neat rows just waiting to be carried home for dessert. Interestingly, the word ‘dessert’ comes from the…

The most famous fête (party) ever in France was actually a housewarming that took place on August 17, 1661. It had everything going for it – the most stunning venue, the finest food and drink prepared by the finest chef, the most beautiful music, the most dazzling entertainments, the most elegant host, and the most VIP guest…

For the past few days, I have been hosting a wonderful American group in Provence. We’ve been savoring some of the best sights, tastes and activities the region has to offer from historical tours of Avignon and Les-Baux-de-Provence to dégustations (wine tastings) in Châteauneuf-du-Pape and Gigondas to a hands-on Provençal cooking class to shopping the…

Summer is the season for everything in Provence – fruits, vegetables, flowers explode in a riot of colors, smells and tastes. It’s also garlic season, and I am in heaven when it arrives. Putting aside garlic’s dining pleasures for a moment, the huge purple blooms make incredible floral bouquets. At the Friday market in Eygalières a…

One of the best things about getting out of Paris and into the French countryside is the chance to visit small, regional museums. These jewels of art and culture spotlight aspects of France that otherwise might go unnoticed or unexplored. A case in point is the local museum in St. Rémy-de-Provence. Housed in a restored Renaissance…

Les Baux-de-Provence is a popular summer destination in France It’s the time of les grandes vacances (big summer vacations) in France. Consequently, planes and trains are crowded with travelers headed to French holiday locales. And automobiles are packing the highways and byways all over the country. This past Saturday was particularly crazy for drivers headed…

One of the most beautiful expressions of urban French architecture is the hôtel particulier, or private mansion. Many cities all over France have outstanding examples of these prestigious demeures (dwellings) from the 17th, 18th and 19th centuries. The hôtel particulier was often freestanding – not attached to adjacent buildings – and located on its property…

One of my favorite travel destinations is grocery stores. That’s right, local grocery stores and supermarkets – outdoor markets are a whole other category. I love to wander the aisles not necessarily to shop but to see what’s central to eating life in other parts of the world. It’s fascinating to note which sections are super…