Posts tagged: France

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

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…

Recipes & Travel:
Alpilles Mountains Provence, France, Provence, Travel to Paris

The Many Reasons to Visit Provence in May: May is a delightful time of year in Provence. The temperatures are beginning to warm up, but they’re not too hot. The days are longer, so there is more time to explore the charming villages, historic sites, and scenic countryside.
Virginie In Provence wrote an article about May explaining more about the holidays and festivities during this month.
Keith Van Sickle, Author, shares the activities celebrating Marcel Pagnol’s life. 2024 is the year of Marcel Pagnol in Provence, marking the 50th anniversary of his death in 1974. Several special events will be held throughout the year to celebrate the life and works of this brilliant author and filmmaker.
Stephanie Villegas’s spring menu combines some of the season’s best flavours in a 3-course dinner. Enjoy the taste of Provence this spring. If you are in the region, book one of her new Cooking and French Conversation classes – fun, delicious, and educational.

Recipes & Travel:
France, Provence, Spring in Provence

Take a few minutes and dream of Provence with its Mediterranean coastline, enchanting villages, and delicious cuisine. What interests you most about the South of France? Are you looking for recommendations for specific cities, hidden gems, or tips on regional wines? Here are articles about city highlights, wine tasting in Bandol and Cassis, places to stay, and trip planning.While February is not lavender season, you can dream about visiting in June on this tour. However, this month is excellent for visiting museums, art galleries, and historic cities like Aix-en-Provence, Arles, and Avignon. If you go to Nîmes to see the Roman sites, try a Crocus de Nîmes, an inspired sandwich. On the French Riviera, it’s party time until March 3 with the 151st Nice Carnaval (“King of Pop Culture”) and 90th Fête du Citron (Olympic theme) in Menton.

Recipes & Travel:
European Travel Tips, France, Provence

Shop our collection of handcrafted and limited-production French products. We feature beautiful items for home décor, accessories, beauty products, and gifts. These companies focus on traditional designs and promoting artisanal culture. In addition, our partners are environmentally conscious and work only with top-quality materials. If you are interested in collaborating, please contact us via our contact form.
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Recipes & Travel:
France, Provence, Shopping

Some time ago (number of years not to be disclosed here) Nutmeg travelled to San Sebastian, Spain via train. At that point, backpack travel was heavily influenced by “Europe on $20 a Day” and where your Eurail pass would take you. So, she and her travel companion spent a total of two hours in Biarritz and about the same in Bordeaux.
A visit to France’s southwest was long overdue.
This time G&N are not travelling on Eurail passes or sleeping in hostels. They were booked on a six-day guided walking tour through the Pays Basque. Nutmeg convinced Ginger to visit Bordeaux, its famous vineyards and venture to the Atlantic coast for a few days before the walking trip started. As their available time shrunk, so did the itinerary. In the end, they decide on two nights in Bordeaux, two in wine country and two in Biarritz. Spain would have to wait for another time.
The drive from Provence to Bordeaux is a…

Recipes & Travel:
Blaye, Bordeaux, Bordeaux Wines, France, Travel Tips

American-born Wendy Jaeger admits that France is in her soul. The founder of Bliss Travels met with Nutmeg for coffee, in the Luberon, to chat about the company’s culinary and wine vacations.

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Recipes & Travel:
Bespoke, Bliss Travels, Food and Wine, France, Interview, Provence, Small Group, Tours

Linda Garson spent her youth in Manchester, in the United Kingdom, a place best known for soccer matches and beer-filled celebrations, not necessarily for wine expertise. A visual communications graduate, Linda relocated to Canada (Calgary) in 2003 on a contract with Trade UK – the British Government’s export division. The contract was for 13-months, and Linda is still in Calgary.

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Recipes & Travel:
Calgary, France, Linda Garson, Provence, Rhône Valley, Vine and Dine, Wine Courses, Wines

It is not easy to change careers or geography at any age.
Why is Patricia Sands a possibilitarian?
Why did Lisa and Johann Pepin move from Chicago to hunt for truffles in rural Provence?
Moving can fall into that “not easy” bucket, where it is seems easier to stick to the familiar than to pack your bags.

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Recipes & Travel:
France, French Visas, Moving, Paris, Visas

The centuries of Anglo-French wars are overwhelming, even for those most dedicated to the subject. Battles for geographic territory and ideological control started in Roman times. In one short post, it would be impossible to provide sufficient detail on this lengthy history of conflict.

Instead, here is a list of a few of the famous engagements:

1066 – The Battle of Hastings – the Norman conquest of England,  by William the Conqueror
1337 – 1453 The Hundred Years’ War – technically 116 years and numerous battles
1755 – 1763 The Seven Years’ War – the fight over control of North America which the British won
1779 – 1783 The American Revolution – the French aided the American rebel troops in forcing a British surrender
1792 – 1802 The French Revolution – the British were opposed to the anti-monarchical ideals of the French
1803 – 1815  The Napoleonic Wars – in 1810 the French Empire at its broadest reach, then Napoleon was defeated

And so on…
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Recipes & Travel:
France, Travel in France