Greetings dear readers and friends. It’s here, la rentrée! That time of year when kids go back to school and the French end their summer vacations. And what a busy time it’s been… This past weekend we traveled to the Alsace region to celebrate my husband’s grandmother’s 100th birthday. Yes folks, you read that right, 100 […]
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Greetings dear readers and friends. Well, one day you’re stocking multiple umbrellas in the trunk of your car, and the next the thermometer has climbed to 30°C (86°F)… so is the change from spring to summer in the south of France. It sneaks up on you and then bam, everyone and their brother-in-law is off […]
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Hello from a sunny South of France! Like every year, summer in Provence is a very busy period and it’s hard to even keep track of all the festivals and events that take place. We try to take advantage of local events happening in our town (Toulon), but there are some “must-do” favorites that really […]
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Greetings from a very hot south of France. We’ve had some lovely beach mornings – setting up camp at about 9am before it gets too crowded, and enjoying a few dips in the Mediterranean before a long lunch and a very-welcome afternoon sieste (nap). Today I’d like to share a bit of what a summer […]
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Greetings dear readers and friends. Summer is here! And let me just say, thank goodness… this is by far the most exciting time of the year in the south of France. In our little corner of Toulon, the beaches are not full yet, which makes for great strolls along the seaside and early-morning dips in the […]
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Things have really slowed down in the South. It’s hot, humid, the cicadas are chirping away, and the most strenuous activity involves stuffing a towel in a tote & lugging yourself down to the beach. If there’s a better word than languid to describe this time of year, I’m still searching for it. Then we […]
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Greeting dear readers… or as they say in France… salut ! We are in the thick of the August holidays and honestly, if you’re not on the beach by 9am you just might find yourself hitting up the community pool… it’s busy, busy days over here… Not that anyone’s complaining, mind you. The weather is gorgeous […]
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There are many gorgeous beaches in our “department”, the Var, but during the summer we usually return to our trusted local favorites in and around Toulon. This year, we decided to go a bit “further afield” and explore some of the natural marvels of the region – starting with the beaches of Bormes-les-Mimosas. Now Bormes […]
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There are many great things about summer in Provence, and surely one of the best has to be the markets. And a trip to the Sanary-sur-Mer market is an exciting event any time of the year, but especially during the months of June, July, and August. Granted, you might have to elbow your way past […]
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Greetings from a very hot south of France. We’re in the middle of what the French call a canicule – heatwave. I’ve still got a few weeks until my official “holiday” time, but summer is definitely in full-swing everywhere along the Côte d’Azur. And securing a spot on the beach anytime after 9am is almost […]
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One of the best things about summertime in Provence is the many fêtes (parties) & festivals that take place all around the region. Even though we live in a bigger town, I prefer going to festivals in smaller neighborhoods & villages. At traditional village festivals, you get the real “flavor” of summer in the south, […]
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On the roads and in backyards all over the South, you can hear the distinct “chirp” of the unofficial mascot of Provence – the cicada (le cigale). And as anyone will tell you, it’s not officially summer in the South of France until that first tsi tsi tsi rings clearly through the air. And foolish […]
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