The Provence Christmas Story
You may know the traditional Biblical Christmas story, but in Provence, there is a bit more to it…
New Book
I’m happy to announce that my latest book, Curious Histories of Provence: Tales from the South of France is now published…
Prints of Provence: “Les Indiennes”
How could a fabric that originated in India, was copied by Armenians, and outlawed in France become a symbol of Provence?
The Camargue: Horses, Bulls, and Gardians
Southwest Provence, around Arles and the Camargue, has a very distinctive horse and bull culture…
Gaspard de Besse: Robin Hood of Provence
Just like Robin Hood, Gaspard de Besse robbed from the rich and gave to the poor…
The Mistral of Provence
Provence claims thirty-two different winds, but the mistral is master of them all…
The Cicada (Cigale) of Provence
When the warm days of summer arrive in Provence, the air is filled with the song of the cicadas, or cigales in French…
Truffle Hunting in Provence
Our wedding anniversary was approaching and when Jeff asked what I wanted, I didn’t hesitate, “I want to go truffle hunting!” Looking a bit puzzled, but always the good sport, he said, “Ok…that could be interesting…but what exactly is a truffle and how do you hunt one?” “Well,” I explained (because I had read…
Thirteen Desserts? That’s my kind of Meal!
Christmas time in Provence and the south of France is full of traditions and, as with most good traditions, food is usually involved. Miniature wheat fields Preparations for the Christmas holiday meals begin on the 4th of December, St. Barbara’s day, with the planting of wheat (in the kitchen, that is). Wheat germ is placed…
A Girl called Fanny that no one wants to Kiss
Recently, when I was at the Christmas “santon” fairs looking at all of the little figures that make up the Nativity scenes in southern France, there was one that puzzled me.
The Little Saints of Provence
In many parts of the world, Nativity scenes make up a part of the Christmas decoration but in Provence, they are taken to the extreme…
