Provence | A French Collection

The Lost Children by Susan McDonald – Author Interview

The Lost Children by Susan McDonald - Book Review

It's with such delight today we share our book review and author interview of the recently released novel The Lost Children, by none other than one of our loveliest long-standing blog readers and guest contributors, Susan McDonald. Susan loves France, and in particular the France Riviera, and has spent much time in Villefranche-sur-Mer. In fact she's previously written an article for us on this gorgeous town, often called the Jewel of the French Riviera - Villefranche-Sur-Mer on the French Riviera. Susan has also written an article on the best Walks in the French Riviera which highlights top spots to go, places to stay and how to explore hidden wonders whilst walking the French Riviera.

So bringing her knowledge of the region, love of history and English teaching and writing skills together, Susan has written a wonderful book that enticed me from the very beginning. With characters that feel real, places and events that you can easily imagine and a dramatic storyline that is evocative, I think you'll also love The Lost Children.

National Rosé Day and Provence

Bottle of Rosé wine with glass of rosé wine

When Rosé is mentioned, most people likely think of Provence. That's probably because Provence is recognised as the birthplace of Rosé wine and new varieties are still compared to those created in the South of France. Let's find out more about the world's favourite pink drink and the day it's celebrated across the globe - National Rosé Day.

National Rosé Day

When is National Rosé Day celebrated?

Celebrated by some on the second Saturday in June, and others on 14 August each year, Rosé day is a fun day on the calendar whether you celebrate it in June or August. Some even say that it's the whole month of August that we should be celebrating, so I'll leave this one up to you!

There's even an official hashtag to use if you want to share your pink bubbly photos - #NationalRoséDay

Santonniers of Provence seek UNESCO status

Santonniers of Provence Seek UNESCO Status

Did you catch in the news a couple of months back how the French baguette has just been awarded UNESCO status? Chosen as the winner by the French who voted in 2021 from the choices of the distinctive grey zinc roofs of Paris, the tradition of wine festivals, and the baguette - the crusty bread stick won hands down!

Well, another French traditional product has applied for UNESCO status. The Santon makers of Provence have put forward their craft. They have formed an association named 'Savoir-faire des Santonniers de Provence', with the intention of getting the process of creating the hand-painted clay figurines included on the list of intangible cultural heritage. Just like the baguette.

Beaulieu-sur-Mer on the French Riviera

Beaulieu-sur-Mer is a small pretty, seaside resort overlooking Baie des Fourmis on the French Riviera, just east of Nice and at the north-east end of the Cap Ferrat Peninsula. Beaulieu-sur-Mer is known simply as 'Beaulieu' by the locals and is one of the lesser visited towns on the Riviera.

Beaulieu-sur-Mer is charming with palm shaded roads, lush Mediterranean vegetation, sandy beaches, picturesque marinas and luxurious villas. It's a prestigious town and its real estate commands high prices. In fact, it's been recorded that the three towns of Beaulieu-sur-Mer, Saint-Jean-Cap-Ferrat and Villefranche-sur-Mer (called the 'Golden Triangle') all fetch prices often only second to those reached in Paris.

23 Stunning Photos of Provence

Provence casts its spell on you long before you even set foot on its soil. Whether you are drawn by the calm countryside, fields of purple lavender and golden sunflowers, ancient towns and perched villages, or the blue lakes and cool mountains, Provence can fill your heart and fuel many a dream. Our 23 stunning photos of Provence are definitely daydreamy!

The playground of tourists and locals alike and loved since Roman times, there is so much variety to Provence that it can take a lifetime to explore. Our 23 stunning photos of Provence highlight just a few amazing locations you might like to visit to soak up the history and culture. Now let's visit Provence together in this post.

Seasonal Fall Menu

Seasonal Fall Menu - 'A Dinner with Friends'

Autumn or Fall is a time of changing colour and cooler temperatures and of course heart warming recipes. Nothing is better than cooking and preparing for a cosy family gathering or dinner with friends in the fall; and I was delighted to be invited by the leading magazine and website on food, travel and lifestyle in the South of France and the French Riviera, Perfectly Provence to curate their fall menu.

Each season a well-known French blogger, acclaimed chef or restaurant owner curates a menu featuring Provençal regional seasonal produce and this fall I've put together 'A Dinner with Friends' menu. Included are four delicious courses and a festive cocktail. Pink Elephant Martini Cocktail, Marrow on Toast, Pot-au-feu, Cheese Plate with Figs and a sweet Fig Tart with Marzipan complete the dinner menu.

An Insider’s Guide to Provence by Keith Van Sickle

Market place with cafes in Arles, Provence

'An Insider's Guide to Provence' by Keith Van Sickle

The opening quote in Keith Van Sickle's latest book, 'An Insider's Guide to Provence' is the perfect quote describing the beautiful area of Provence ...

"When the Good Lord begins to doubt the world, he remembers that he created Provence" - Frédéric Mistral

Author Keith knows Provence well and his latest, and third book, is a guide sharing everything he's learnt over more than a decade of living part-time in, and exploring Provence, with his trusty co-adventurer and wife, Val. Acknowledging that the region is vast and covering it in one book would be impractical, Keith instead focuses on St Rémy de Provence and the places they know best.

A Provence French Website For English Readers

A Provence French Website for English Readers

UzEssentiel is an absolute treasure trove of information for people thinking of heading to the South of France, in particular Uzès, Uzège, Gard and Occitanie. While Uzès and Uzège and Gard belong in the Occitanie region rather than Provence, they are often referred to as being in Provence.

UzEssentiel is a go-to website for South of France/Provence lovers and the wide range of interesting topics will keep you glued to your laptop. If you didn't already have plans to travel to these breathtaking places, I bet you will after spending some time on UzEssentiel.com.

It's a website for French readers but thanks to Nancy, its clever editor, it also has an English section in "la langue de Shakespeare" for their dedicated English reading community, called UzEssentiel in English.