Every year on the 2nd of February, families all over France eat crêpes. The celebration is called “La Chandeleur” (Candlemas in English) and represents the final custom linked to the Christmas celebrations. La Chandeleur falls 40 days after the birth of Jesus Christ and is said to mark the presentation...

In early January in France the boulangerie windows are replete with Galettes des Rois (King's Cakes). The Epiphany celebrates the arrival and gifts of the Magi after Christ's birth. As part of this holiday, French families sit together and partake in this lovely dessert and tradition. In Provence, there are...

Christmas is a particularly festive time in Provence, France. The region often remains temperate and sunny through December; the cold mistral wind generally doesn’t take hold until January. On clear, sunny days (often on Christmas) families eat their holiday meal outside in the soft winter sun. There is a series...

INGREDIENTS 3/4 cup sugar (for the caramel) 8 apples (Golden Delicious, Fuji, Gala) 2.5 cups sugar 2.5 cups unsalted butter 17.5 ounces water 2 vanilla beans 9 ounces pie crust Tablespoon or 2 of apricot jam DIRECTIONS 1. GATHER INGREDIENTS 2. PEEL THE APPLES: cut them into quarters and remove...

The Streets of Aix Aix-en-Provence (“Aix,” to most locals) is a town set in the very heart of Provence, France. The palette of its streets is gilded, even in the depths of winter. Its many moss-covered fountains, some thermal, serenade the town’s squares. It is a magical place. Your browser...

Here's a simple recipe I’ve learned while living here in the south of France. This is a simple twist on a classic Provence roasted vegetable recipe. Pine nuts and the cut make it unique. I recommend pairing this recipe with the Provençal Vegetable Tian Recipe I shared last week. Both are, in...

One of the most gratifying aspects of living in Provence is walking to our village market twice a week, browsing the stands of the fruit and vegetable vendors and filling my baskets with produce from the fields around us. I like to come home and spread out my bounty on...

Any good antique aficionado has L’Isle-sur-la-Sorgue pinned on her map of France. Every Sunday throughout the year, the town, situated on the Sorgue river in the heart of Provence, is flooded with antique dealers who spread their wares along the banks of the river. Here, my daughter Romy is inspecting...

Every "Hostess with the Mostest" knows that offering guests a delicious cheese board complements a small dinner party perfectly. We don’t think there’s anyone on the planet that doesn’t enjoy cheese. A wonderful array of cheeses with the right accompaniments makes for an impressive presentation and best of all, is...

Summers in Provence feel like a permanent state. Every day a cerulean sky, cicadas cheering in the trees, sunsets that launder the soul. We bought this old bastide four years ago, took a giant leap of faith and now it feels everlasting, like we will never leave. Romy in the...

Our village is hemmed in by vineyards in every direction. Vineyard plots interlock throughout the landscape, meeting olive and fruit groves. The succession of rows from above make the land look like a great Provence patchwork quilt. One of my favorite moments in Provence has rolled in: les vendanges (harvest...

Welcome to our new series Living in Provence with Emilie Johnson. Every month, Emilie will take us on a virtual voyage and give us a taste of authentic Provencal living. As a preview of what is to come, today we’re kicking off with a Q&A with Emilie Johnson. So, read on...

A tour of France’s most treasured destinations. A flowering plant with tantalizing colors. A beautiful and motivational cookbook. A window into homes brimming with joie de vivre. The gems on this remarkable list offer inspiration, home tours, recipes, and even a passport to the French Countryside. The Best Loved Villages...

Do you want to know the secret of making Blueberry Vegan Cheesecake? I asked my good friend Chef Radha Ickrath to share her secret with us. Radha and I grew up together in Berry, France where blueberries are called myrtilles. Chef Radha Ickrath One of my dad's favorite desserts is...

On the rural road between Saint-Rémy-de-Provence and Noves, you will find bright yellow fields of sunflowers right next to the iconic purple lavender hills. If you visit Provence in July, then it is the most picturesque scenery you'll never forget! It is said, “no flower can lift someone’s spirits quite...