Provence is Lovely in October
While summer is typically the high season in the South of France, Fall is captivating. Slightly cooler weather adds a refreshing twist to your travel experience. One day, you are in shirtsleeves; the next, you need a puffy jacket as autumn arrives with little warning. In the Provencal countryside, fog often shrouds the mornings, slowly burning off as the sun rises. By the middle of October, the grape harvest is over, but farmers are still working; olives, squash, carrots, beets, turnips, and even saffron await their harvest.
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Read about cooking classes, cookbooks, gourmet tours and much more.

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Explore Provence, Fall Harvest Menu, Provence in Fall

Discover the Unique Autumn Vibes of Provence – Fall is bittersweet for me as warm days are far too many months away. However, as Tasha Powell shared in her seasonal menu, “Fall is when the real culinary magic happens with all the seasonal ingredients that Provence has to offer.” In case you missed it, her four-course dinner includes seasonal ingredients such as grapes, figs, squash, and pears. Bon appétit!Download the Fall Recipe Collection

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Explore Provence, Perfectly Planned Travel

Early September often means the grape harvest is underway (or finished). If you see groups picking olives at this time of year, they are harvesting for olive cassées, not oil. School bells and construction noise replace the cicada’s summer symphony as everyone has returned from holidays. Azure September skies and lovely daytime temperatures bring the return of bike tour groups to the roads. September in Provence is a quieter time to visit the South of France, and the weather is generally lovely.
The Journées du Patrimoine occur on September 21 and 22, with open doors at national French monuments. This year’s theme – “Heritage of routes, networks and connections” and “Maritime heritage” – is an opportunity to explore those public and private spaces. Take advantage of free access and guided visits (note: booking is often required). Weather permitting, explore a private garden. Many open only a few times a year. Here is the official website.

Recipes & Travel:
Explore Provence, September

Late August means the grape harvest starts soon (or is underway) in Provence. In Côtes du Rhone vineyards, this can only begin after the proclamation by the Grand Maître de la Commanderie at the Ban des Vendanges in Avignon on August 30 and 31, 2024. This festive wine-themed event is free to the public. If you are a Provencal rosé and beautiful photography fan, we recently reviewed The Book of Rosé about Château d’Esclans Vineyard and its Famous Wines.If you like bubbly water, Gayle Padgett recently visited the PERRIER® Museum. Do you need some ice with that water? Please read our recent article about ice houses (glacières) and the history of ice production in Provence.The Camargue is a unique part of the region where the Rhône River meets the Mediterranean. When Sue Aran, the founder of French Country Adventures, takes her clients to this wild and wonderful part of Provence, and they stay in Hôtel Les Templiers, it’s so…

Recipes & Travel:
Explore Provence, France

Want to know more about the Camargue? 

It’s Provence’s marshland. The Rhône River ends 800 kilometres from its glacial source in Valais, Switzerland, as it reaches the Mediterranean Sea. Like a wide yawn, the two branches of the Rhône – the Grande Rhône and the Petit Rhône – empty their watery cargo at the mouth of the river. This area of Provence known as the Camargue, part of the Bouches du Rhône (mouths of the Rhône), is Europe’s largest river delta (930 square km) and a wetland of significant size.

Horses of the Camargue
The white horse of the Camargue region is also quite an interesting story in that they effectively roam free from birth until the age of three. As yearlings, they are also branded with the owner’s brand; they are then separated from their mothers and set free into the marshes to grow and change colour. Unique to the breed is that they are born dark in colour, and…

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Camargue, Camargue Horse, Explore Provence

Slow Down for August in Provence
At this point in the summer, tiny white snails often cling to vertical surfaces (plants, poles, signposts) in the countryside of Provence in the South of France. It took a friend to point out that while it might be hot, getting above ground level allows these creatures to survive the hottest weeks of the summer. So, the message to all of us is to slow down and enjoy the hot August days and nights in Provence. Here are some tips and articles about life in Provence in August.
A rainstorm often changes the seasonal temperatures around August 15th, a public holiday. As the days pass, the cicadas’ chanting seems to end overnight, leaving behind unusual quiet. Grapes in green, red, and purple shades grow plump and sweet, promising a bountiful harvest as the anticipation mounts in the vineyards. Here is a reference guide for the wine regions and wineries for those who enjoy Provencal wines.
Make…

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Provence Newsletter, Summer entertaining, Summer in Provence

Summertime in the South of France can be scorching. However, in the Alpilles, you can escape the heat and immerse yourself in a unique experience at Carrières de Lumières. This multimedia program, set to transport you to ancient Egypt in 2024, is a must-see. The Egypt of the Pharaohs projection is captivating – a blend of stunning photographs and animations from Cheops to Ramses II. Don’t miss this virtual journey; buy your tickets in advance.
Prepare for the excitement as the XXXIII Olympics kick off on July 26th in Paris. Sporting events are not limited to the French capital – they are happening at venues across the country and even as far as Tahiti (for surfing enthusiasts). There’s something for everyone, from football (soccer) matches in Marseille and Nice to sailing action at Roucas-Blanc Marina in Marseille. If you plan a trip to Paris, we’ve got you covered with these two excellent guides on the city’s art and architecture by…

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Alpilles Mountains Provence, France, Provence, Travel to Paris

Summer “officially” starts for many French families around the middle of July. Bastille Day falls on July 14, and La Fête Nationale is a grand affair with festivities around the country. However, this day also marks the official start of the grandes vacances in France, so travel requires advanced planning and a little luck. Virginie shares the Bastille Day traditions in bilingual text here.
Festival season is well underway in the South of France, with hundreds of concerts, including a series in 40 vineyards. Head to Forcalquier for the annual weekend, July 26 – 29, when the artists’ studios are open to the public – Ateliers Ouverts. Read about the exhibitions and where to grab a bite to eat in Forcalquier.
The 2024 Tour de France is underway, with several stages taking place in the picturesque landscapes of Provence. This year, the race promises an exciting finish on the Promenade des Anglais in Nice on July 21. It’s a historic moment…

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Explore Provence, Newsletters

Two sure signs are that summer has arrived in Provence – cicadas and music festivals. It can happen overnight; the cicadas start chanting as the temperatures rise. The solstice occurred on June 20th, but in France, it only feels like summer starts on June 21st when there is music in the streets throughout the country. La Fête de la Musique is an annual festival that began in 1982.
The Perfectly Provence 2024 summer menu has just been published, promising a culinary journey you won’t want to miss. Tour guide and native of Nice Céline O’Donnell selected dishes that will transport you to the French Riviera. From the classic Niçoise recipes – Pissaladière, Truccha, Salade Niçoise, and Tourte de Blettes to her personal favourites, this meal is a celebration of the region’s rich gastronomic heritage. We invite you to explore our Summer Recipe Collection for more seasonal ideas and prepare to embark on a culinary adventure.

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Explore Provence, Summer Festivals, Summer Menu Ideas, Summer Music Festivals in Provence

At this time of the year, the poppy fields, now a delicate dusty pink, will soon be replaced by vibrant lavender and yellow sunflowers. Take the chance to savour the flavours of the season: asparagus, peas, purple artichokes, rhubarb, and strawberries. Download our Spring Menu Collection, a grouping of recipes that capture the essence of this time of year.
Please read the Perfectly Provence newsletter here.

Early June weather is variable in the South of France, but wearing the proper layers is generally excellent weather for exploring on foot, by bike, or in a car. While there are fewer visitors, this is the time to discover these 10 villages in the Luberon. Rustrel is a gem as a base for holidays as it maintains an authentic feel all year yet is only a few minutes away from Apt. Head to Château La Coste before the end of the month to see the Damien Hirst exhibition “The Light that Shines.”

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Explore Provence, Spring in Provence, Spring Menu Ideas, Travel in Provence